HOLISTIC DR. LISTS 8 REASONS your PERIOD is ALWAYS LATE
Ladies, let’s talk.
You know the struggle. Irregular cycles can be frustrating, confusing, or leave you caught off-guard. Let me promise you this: if you experience late or unreliable cycles, you are not alone. Let’s dig into the big reasons why your period might be arriving late.
1. Over exercise
This one is hard to grapple with because exercise is a good thing, right? Well, yes, of course, it is. But like most other things: working out is most beneficial in healthy amounts. If you start working out (hard) and notice your cycle starts coming late or not at all, consider taking your foot off the gas pedal. Lean into stretching, pilates, or weight training instead of all-cardio-all-the-time.
Don’t misunderstand: exercise, even intense exercise, is a good thing. The issue actually has more to do with consuming too few calories to compensate for your effort, getting down to an unhealthy weight, or going crazy with a stressful, unsustainable workout program.
2. Stress
I hear this constantly: late periods, for a lot of women, can be directly traced to a time of intense emotional or physical stress. Your adrenals secrete cortisol in times of stress. This, in turn, suppresses the hormones needed to have a regular cycle.
3. Not eating enough calories or nutrients
Your body needs to have all of its bases covered before it can concern itself with a regular cycle. Your body is great at keeping you alive: it will prioritize life-sustaining functions such as digestion & respiration. If your fuel (calories) and nutrients are lacking, your body may not have the resources to complete “peripheral” functions such as ovulation & menstruation.
Don’t be afraid of healthy fats and carbohydrates. Your body needs fuel to run efficiently, so honor that with a variety of whole foods.
4. Zinc deficiency
Zinc is a nutrient that helps in hormone regulation. Because of our standard diet as Americans, we are likely to be deficient in zinc. It is also depleted by stress.
I have a zinc test available in my office if you think you might be deficient. Make sure to get your zinc supplement from a reputable source.
5. Thyroid dysregulation
Your thyroid directs a host of functions in your body, including menstrual regularity. If you suspect you may have a thyroid issue, please get in touch with a holistic health provider.
If you are a patient at Early Beginnings, let me know at your next appointment that this is something you’re investigating. I’ll be happy to give you a printed list of factors that can be checked with a blood test. A routine blood test usually does not contain the information needed to rule out a thyroid issue. Ask for specifics in order to get the answers you need.
6. Insulin insensitivity (PCOS)
The root cause of PCOS is insulin insensitivity. This means that your cells do not respond to insulin. This can happen as a result of hormonal dysregulation, poor diet, lack of exercise, and (surprise, surprise) stress.
PCOS is a complex diagnosis that is often overlooked by western medicine. If you have had a PCOS diagnosis or you believe you have PCOS, reach out to a holistic health care provider that understands. Anyone listed under Integrative Medicine on our resources page is a trusted provider.
7. Too much estrogen
Your body needs to have a healthy amount of both estrogen & progesterone in order to produce a healthy cycle. There are a few things that can result in estrogen dominance: stress, poor gut health, and hormonal birth control are the most common suspects.
Learn about yourself. How do you respond to stress? What are your favorite ways to unwind? Schedule more of those things. Stress relief can literally be your medicine. If you’re not already, get on a probiotic from a reputable source. If you are on hormonal birth control, consider looking into other methods that may serve your body better.
8. Dysregulation between the brain and the ovaries/uterus
Your brain sends directions to the rest of your body. It tells your ovaries, uterus, and thyroid what to do and when to do it. Even slight irritation of any of the nerves involved in this process can disrupt or delay communication. Your late period may be an early sign that something is off before you ever experience neck or back pain.
Get checked by your local neurological chiropractor to see how your nervous system is doing.