Is The Pandemic Affecting Your Periods? Because Same!

Have you ever felt like the pandemic combined together with the lockdown has disrupted your schedules? I, for one, can vouch for the fact that ever since the pandemic started, all of my routines (work, college, sleep patterns, eating habits- you name it!) became messed up. It has proved to be quite stressful to balance all of it while retaining my mental health at the same time. On top of that, I started to notice that my periods became irregular, a month into the lockdown.

At first, I thought it was just me. When my mother started to complain about her aggravated PMS pain, I started wondering whether it was happening to more menstruators out there. So, I posted a story on Instagram, asking my followers whether they have noticed anything weird about their cycles. Unexpectedly enough, I started receiving innumerable DMs from my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances- all stating weird symptoms that they have noticed about their periods during the lockdown.

People who barely ever had abdominal cramps before or during periods reported that ever since they stopped going out, they started experiencing immense pain and cramping. People with lighter flows started getting heavier flows, and vice versa. For some, the cycles became shorter, and others said that they did not even get their periods for three months at a time.

Weirder symptoms started popping up, with some saying that they got blue marks on their thighs along with tender, itchy breasts just before their periods started. Some experienced changes in PMS symptoms as well, with increased anxiety or mood swings, joint pain, insomnia, and hot and cold flashes.

Why Is This Happening?

All of this got me thinking, and after a bit of research, here’s what I found: several gynaecologists have stated that their patients started reporting irregular periods or unusual symptoms during the pandemic. It has been found that while experiencing anxiety or stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol which in turn interfere with the other hormones of the body. Increased levels of cortisol in the body due to stress lead to suppression of the normal reproductive hormones and can disrupt ovulation or lead to amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual cycle).

Some gynaecologists have stated that contracting COVID-19 could also lead to a disrupted menstrual cycle. Alternatively, some have suggested that changes in the menstrual cycle have been due to the hypothalamus, which contains the pituitary gland that releases reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. The hypothalamus responds to stress, which in turn could inhibit the release of the reproductive hormones, thus resulting in fluctuations in ovulation, resulting in a condition called hypothalamic amenorrhea.

What Can I Do To Prevent This?

1. Track your periods to point out irregularities: The first step to finding a solution is to identify the problem. Personally, the first thing I tried the moment I realized that something was wrong was to track my period using a period tracker app (such as Clue or Flo). These apps are extremely effective in predicting period dates and reminding you about missed periods or irregular cycle patterns.
2. Maintain a healthy and timely diet: Maintaining a good, nutritious diet is of paramount importance when battling with stress-linked irregular periods. I tried cutting down on my junk-food intake and started having more leafy greens and protein-based meals. Now more than ever is the time to say goodbye to your favourite soda or chips. Having frequent meals is also important since long gaps in between meals do you no good.
3. Maintain a balanced exercise routine, if possible: A lot of menstruators have stated that staying fit by exercising helps them to maintain a regular menstrual cycle, and gynaecologists recommend it too. However, if you are someone who undergoes immense dysmenorrhea or is unable to exercise, it is best to refrain from doing so. You must keep in mind that too much of anything isn’t good, and the same applies to exercise as well. Overexerting yourself can contribute to the stress you are already experiencing.
4. Find a way to manage your stress: If at all, you find it difficult to navigate around your day-to-day activities, try these simple activities to de-stress yourself and your body. The pandemic hasn’t been easy for any of us, and some may have it way worse than is imaginable. If your symptoms still persist or are debilitating enough, try consulting a doctor or a therapist.