If your period doesn’t come more than three months after stopping the pill or another hormonal contraceptive, it’s called post-pill amenorrhea. This falls into the category of secondary amenorrhea, whereas primary amenorrhea describes the absence of menstruation up to the age of 16.
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Why is there no menstruation?
The simplest explanation for missed periods is pregnancy. But if this can be ruled out with certainty, there are still numerous reasons why the period is a long time coming.
- Mental stress
One of the most common triggers is stress. Emotional tensions, crises, fears and pressure can lead to missed periods because stress affects the hypothalamus. - Competitive sports : Excessive
and demanding training combined with few calories also throws the hormone system out of balance. - Weight loss:
Severe weight loss, such as that seen in anorexia nervosa or bulimia, can disrupt the cycle. - Polycystic ovary syndrome:
In this case, hormone production in the ovaries and other hormone-producing tissue is disturbed and painful blisters often form on the ovaries. Women with PCOS often do not have a menstrual cycle and have great difficulties getting pregnant. - Thyroid diseases:
Both over- and under-function can promote the absence of menstruation.
It is important to clarify the symptom with a doctor, as missing a period is always a sign that something is wrong with the body.
Treatment of post-pill amenorrhea
A woman’s endocrine system should always be in balance as it affects the cardiovascular system, bones, skin , mucous membranes and sexual organs. If the period does not appear after more than three months, the gynecologist should be consulted. This can determine amenorrhea based on the anamnesis and blood test. If this persists over a longer period of time, the hormones of the thyroid, hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands are examined. This is often done by an endocrinologist who specializes in hormones.
Important : If the amenorrhea is accompanied by severe headaches or visual disturbances and the sense of smell fails, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
What can I do myself?
In order to bring the hormonal balance back into balance, a small self-inventory is necessary. Question your diet, as well as your relationship to sport, stress and partnership. A change in diet with healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates and sufficient calories helps against post-pill amenorrhea. It is important that you cover all nutrients .
If you did a lot of sport before, reduce the intensity a little now, because excessive sport drives up the cortisol level, which has a permanently negative effect on the cycle. To find a balance from everyday life, you can also write in a diary, blog or do yoga. If you come to rest and relax, this has a positive effect on the hormonal balance.
Alternatively, you can also consider Traditional Chinese Medicine or acupuncture.
