If you’re a young woman and your period has decided to take a summer vacation (or if it’s been gone for longer than that), you might be panicking. Where did it go? What does it mean that it’s gone? How can I get it back?
You might be especially concerned if you hope to have kids one day, though that isn’t the only reason to take missing or problematic periods seriously. Ovulation, which is necessary for menstruation (bleeding), is an essential part of a healthy hormone cycle and a key indicator of a woman’s overall health. The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists has called on clinicians to think of the menstrual cycle as a vital sign, like blood pressure and temperature.
Plus, the symptoms that come along with light, irregular, or missing periods are uncomfortable at best and quality-of-life diminishing at worst. That’s because missing or otherwise wonky periods are almost always accompanied by hormone imbalances, which can give rise to acne, weight loss resistance, bloating, headaches, and mood swings.
If this is happening to you, you’re not alone. Missing or irregular periods are common. They happen to a lot of young women, many of whom I’ve counseled in my practice—some of whom have missed periods for months and even years. (I worked with one woman whose period had been missing for 13 years, though by following the FLO protocol she got her period back within three months!)
In today’s post, I’m going to outline the root causes of missing periods in young women and, most importantly, I’m going to give you three essential first steps on the journey to getting your period back.
Textbook Causes of Missing Periods
There are “textbook” reasons that periods go missing, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, and, of course, menopause. There’s also engaging in intense exercise everyday, which many women may not know is interfering with their regular menstrual cycle. It’s the same with being underweight. A condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in which cysts grow on your ovaries can also be a root cause for young women.
One of the top triggers for missing periods is coming off hormonal birth control. Stopping the Pill doesn’t guarantee that your period will come zipping back. In fact, without making a concentrated effort through food and lifestyle modifications, many women who quit the Pill do not start bleeding again for months or years.
Hidden Causes of Missing Periods
That brings us to the less talked about (but no less real) causes of missing or irregular periods, including stress. Chronic stress raises cortisol and messes up blood sugar, which disrupts ovulation. Studies also show that women with stressful jobs are at double the risk for anovulation (not ovulating) and menstrual cycle variability. Other research shows that women with high levels of stress around the time of ovulation have a harder time getting pregnant.
The other common but often overlooked cause of period problems? Blood sugar dysregulation. Imbalanced blood sugar is associated with infertility, and diabetes drugs like metformin are often prescribed to women with PCOS to trigger ovulation. If you are considering taking metformin for PCOS or infertility, I strongly recommend regulating your blood sugar levels with the FLO protocol and prepping your body for a healthy pregnancy ahead of time. You may discover you don’t need the drugs. (It’s also worth noting that, for many of the women I’ve worked with, Metformin hasn’t worked at all.)
So What’s A Woman With a Missing Period To Do?
Following the full FLO Protocol is important for any woman with a missing or irregular period. The FLO Protocol supports you through the hormone-balancing food and lifestyle strategies that bring proper hormone signaling back online.
But there are some powerful first steps you can take today to start bleeding again. Here are my top three strategies for bringing your period back:
1. Engage in extreme self-care. That’s right, your new goal is to think of yourself as an Olympic athlete in the sport of relaxing, because the more stress you face externally, the more you need to be intentional about quieting your internal stress response. If you’ve been meaning to get back to your Yoga or Pilates class, do it today. Make sure you schedule dedicated non-work time—write it into your planner if you have to!—and engage in leisure activities you love. If some of the stressors in your life are modifiable, consider making changes that would make life less stressful.
2. Balance your blood sugar. The single best (and side effect-free!) way to address blood sugar problems is with food. Emphasize healthy complex (and non-gluten) carbs, eat enough healthy, high-quality fats and proteins, and make sure you front-load non-starchy vegetables in all colors of the rainbow. One great tip for keeping blood sugar steady all day is to eat a low-glycemic breakfast within 90 minutes of waking up. And remember: sugar hides out in a lot of processed foods—even ones you wouldn’t expect. So read labels carefully, and stick to whole foods when you can.
3. Fight the urge to be a night owl. Hormones are hugely affected by sleep—or, more specifically, by lack thereof. The 24-hour circadian cycle has a direct influence on, and is directly influenced by, our bodies master hormones. When we’re short on sleep, it’s almost impossible to get our hormones balanced. So make sleep a priority tonight (and every night!).
Bringing your period back online is something you can do with nutrition and lifestyle modifications. I’ve seen women who haven’t had periods in years engage the FLO Protocol and start bleeding in three to four months. With the right lifestyle and nutrition changes, this could become your story, too!
Love and Ovaries,
Alisa
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Hello.. and I’ve not had my period for two months,it started with light periods then two months later it stopped totally
Hi Alisa!
This article really resonated with me, I just came off the pill and have been off for about 2 weeks now (after reading the Woman Code!) and while I’ve been trying to follow the Flo protocol to get my period back, I haven’t been cycle syncing because well, I don’t know how to track my period because I’m not having one! I know it hasn’t been very long since I came off the pill, but what might you recommend in this case with cycle syncing?
Thanks!
Hi Ally,
Sync up with the moon and cycle with the phases of the moon until you get your cycle back.
Alisa
I have not see my period for may 2017 to now what can I do 42 years
Hy I am 14 years old I haven’t seen a regular period since last year wen I started august.i have not been seeing it regularlyat all since then
I am 40 and haven’t had a period since August of 2018
Well I had my period at young age ,when I was 16 it stopped and it sometimes come but I have to go to the hospital and the will give me medicine before and since it stop i did not have my period until I was 18 and I went to a doctor he told me it was normal that if I reach 24 i will have my period .I’m almost 21:I have not have my period since
Hi Frannie,
This is definitely something to look into and to start to work with naturally. Missing your period is often a result of stress on the body: undereating, exercising a lot, lack of sleep, emotional stress, micronutrient deficiency.
Alisa
Hello. Please I need help. My flow has stopped for about 3 Months now please how do. I regain it
I’m used to having an irregular period, but it’s offically the third
Month without it and I’m a little concerned
My period stop for two months now,what can I do to get it back
I have not seen my period in a year and I am starting to get worried because I would like to have kids very soon! Every time I take birth control or a plan b my period come the week after. Does anyone know what this could be???
It sounds like you may have low progesterone – this will keep you from getting your period and ovulating, most likely. You want to work on getting progesterone up naturally.
Alisa
Hi, Have been have a rushing peroid something I will not see my period in a month them come out in the next month but over two months have not seen my period all I get is a drop of it and dem stop
Am prissy, I have not seen my period this month, last month it was light
It has been 10years now and my mensturation has stopped and I don’t know what to do as a girl of 19years I have tried all kinds of therapy and i have even went to see a dynecologist but no results and I need help
hello i have missed my period for three months .
I need help please help me
My period has been irregular ever since it first started around 13.It use to come every other month.As I’ve gotten older its gotten better . However everytime around May-July it disappears.This has been occurring for over 6 years now
My names Kasey,
I’ve had irregular periods since I started when I was 14, I am now 28 and I gave birth at 22 and have not been on birth control for almost two years.. as of January 2019 my periods stopped and all my pregnancy tests are negative. I am not necessarily trying to become pregnant more concerned about my hormones and why I stopped having a period all together. Any advice?
I took the morning after pill. I’m not pregant but i haven’t had a period for almost 7 weeks
Please I am a bit worried because my baby clock 1year old February2019. Though I used castor seed orally around August 2018 and just in April 5 I saw my period for d first time after delivert and I am suppose to see it again 2nd of May(28day cycle) but till now I have not seen it.pls I need reply urgently. I hope am not pregnant
i have not seen my period in 8 years now,it stoped when i was 16 and am 25 now. help
hi i have not seen my period since February and this is May, what can i do to get my flow back?
Hai I am 29 and have missed my periods for 18years now and t become part of life to me coz I’ve tried and now I just quited on it coz I really failed to understand. which advice can u give me, thanks
Hi I give birth lst year May nd my baby past away after 2 days meaning I’m not breastfeeding. Since last year May I never see my period again it full year now
i’ve missed my periods for two months so far and i feel nause could i be pregnant? help please.
I have not seen my monthly flow for two months now and its also irregular
I’m 14 and 88 pounds got my first period in 2 of August 2018 and haven’t had a period ever since what should I do I’m not sure if you’re going to respond help me please