Are there actually any health problems associated with a womans periods stopping?
The most common reason for missing your period is that you skipped an ovulation — when the ovary releases an egg. And simply put, no ovulation, no period. When you’re stressed or under other trying conditions, the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that stimulates ovulation) will actually interrupt the cycle, thereby working to avoid a pregnancy during a less than opportune time. Biologists cite this as an example of the “fight or flight” response. Besides garden-variety stress, increased physical activity and changes in your weight, diet, sleep habits, or mood may cause you to stop ovulating. Even travel to a different time zone can cause you to miss a period or two. Fortunately, the cycle usually returns to normal when the stress or other lifestyle change is managed. If a woman goes for six months or more without a period, she may have a more extreme form of menstrual interruption called “secondary amenorrhea.” This often occurs in zealous athletes and in women with eating disorder
