And you, how are your periods since the start of the lockdown due to Covid-19? This is the question posed by feminist Ovidie on Twitter. Out of 997 women, 40% vote for the option “out of step” or “missing”. Why do our menstrual cycles suffer during confinement? If this is your case, don’t panic. The Parisian gynecologist Patrick Cerf answers your questions.
Since the pandemic your rules are:
– Ovidie (@Ovidieofficiel) March 26, 2020
Why does confinement impact the menstrual cycle?
As a preamble, the gynecologist recalls that there are two types of menstrual cycles. The natural rules for women without contraception or on a copper IUD, and the rules on the pill or any other hormonal intake. These should not normally be disturbed during confinement as they are fictitious. “These are not real periods, they correspond to what is called a withdrawal bleeding, following stopping the pill for a week“, he specifies. On the other hand, for women who do not take hormones, the Covid-19 period and confinement can play a decisive role in menstruation.
Lack of Rules: What Happens Chemically?
Patrick Cerf explains: “At the moment, there are plenty of reasons to be stressed: fear of illness, uncertainties about the future, difficulties in living together in confinement, new rhythms of work and life …“These are as many stress stimuli that can affect your period. And this for a chemical reason.
“When you are stressed, the hormonal balance is altered. Normally, the body produces estrogen during the cycle and progesterone for ovulation. But this secretion of progesterone is subject to other hormones: FSH and LH, which are responsible for “controlling” ovulation. The latter two are produced by the pituitary gland in direct contact with the hypothalamus in the brain. In times of stress, the hypothalamus sends neurotransmitters that make it possible to produce adrenaline. It is an animal reaction that allows the body to put itself in conditions to fight or to flee in the face of a situation that it considers dangerous.“
The body says it’s not the time to reproduce
He explains the link with the rules: “In that moment, the body chooses its priorities ! Non-essential functions are put aside: like reproduction! Automatically, the body puts a brake on the reproductive system. If you don’t have your period during times of intense stress, it’s because your body says: now is not the time to have children!“
But he specifies that stress is subjective. Everyone experiences it differently with various impacts on the human body. When some will see their period simply delayed, others will not have it at all, and the last will have no disturbance.
What if you don’t have your period as expected?
Anyway, Patrick Cerf advises to start by eliminating the possibility of pregnancy if you are worried about not having your period. By doing a urine test. “If symptoms (nausea, chest pain, pelvic pain, amenorrhea) persist, contact your gynecologist. Many of us continue to exercise despite the confinement.“Ditto if you have abnormal bleeding or any other pain. In case of emergency only, go to the hospital, the gynecology departments remain open.
Not having your period: is it dangerous?
In the event that you are not having your period at all while in confinement (or during any stressful time) it means that your body is no longer producing progesterone. Results : “you are not ovulating, so you have nothing to expel at the presumed end of the cycle“, underlines the doctor. This absence of progesterone can cause slight disturbances of mood, pelvic pain.” This is not at all dangerous “, he insists.
And then ? “Most women return to a normal rhythm when the stress subsides. If this is not the case naturally, there are treatments to give it a boost. Corn if your period does not return right away on moment of deconfinement, do not be alarmed. The stress will not fall immediately because life is gradually resuming its course.“
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