Can stress influence irregularity of a menstrual cycle?
Yes, stress can definitely affect the timing of menstrual cycles. Some women can miss several months in a row with extreme stresses (like relationship breakup, loss of a loved one, school exams, etc). Physical stress can also cause skipped periods. Physical stress may include exercising for several hours every day, losing or gaining more than 10 lbs in a short period of time, or not getting enough calories to support the nutritional needs of both herself and a potential baby.
