How Does Stress Affect Menstrual Cycles?
In females, the onset of puberty is marked by the beginning of the menstrual cycle, typically between the ages of 10 and 16. On average, a woman has her period every 28 days. However, most women experience a shorter or longer amount of time between periods, as well as a variation in the number of days between periods each month. This disparity can be attributed to many factors. Included in this is the effect that stress has on the menstrual cycle. Like the other functions of the body, the menstrual cycle is regulated by the brain. Located within the brain is the hypothalamus. This gland dictates when an egg is released by an ovary. The hypothalamus also sends a signal to the uterus that prompts it to thicken its walls in case conception occurs and a pregnancy ensues. If pregnancy does not occur, the egg and uterine lining are shed during a female’s monthly period. While these functions take place regularly in a healthily functioning body, they can be halted by many different factors. T
