What’s Really Behind Your Missing Period?
“I wish I didn’t have a period.”
Maybe those are the words you heard from a friend (or even a medical professional) when you expressed concerns about your missing period.
But instead of enjoying the lack of monthly cramps, you’re fighting a cocktail of hormonal symptoms and wondering…
Does this mean I can’t get pregnant?
What’s wrong with my hormones?
Am I doing something wrong?
A missing period (also called amenorrhea) is unnerving. It typically comes with other symptoms like bloating, weight changes, hot flashes, gut problems, nervous system dysregulation, and … you get the idea.
A missing period is by no means a “free pass.”
Without external factors (pregnancy, birth control, etc.), reproductive-aged women are supposed to have a period. It’s even considered the “fifth vital sign”—with the severity of cramps and hormonal symptoms giving us a glimpse into potential hormone imbalance.
In this blog, my goal isn’t to name potential diagnoses for a missing period. There’s already a ton of information online about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, amenorrhea, and ovarian insufficiency.
Instead, I’m going to focus on nutrition and lifestyle hacks you can use to encourage hormone and period health.
What Causes a Missing Period (When You’re Not Pregnant)?
In my experience, the most common root causes for a missing period are:
• Blood sugar imbalance
• Poor thyroid health
• Low calorie intake
• High inflammation levels in the body
• Low mineral stores
• Chronic stress
• High adrenaline
• Mycotoxins or heavy metal exposure
• Overexercising
While these factors may culminate in a diagnosis of endometriosis, PCOS, Cushing’s syndrome, and others, it’s important to treat the root cause issues alongside any prescribed treatments.
Functional testing can be highly effective for diagnosing thyroid problems, mineral deficiencies, mycotoxins, and blood sugar imbalance—giving you a clearer picture of what exactly is going on with your health.
In my experience, these diagnoses don’t have to be forever. But they do require an understanding of full-body health and a personalized nutrition plan to help you move forward.
What to Do for a Missing Period
Whoops, the perfect storm of hormone imbalance and gut issues collided to send your period into no man’s land. I know how frustrating (and scary!) this can feel.
While you work out a diagnosis (and try to lower your stress levels), here are some easy action steps you can take to boost nourishment and increase your chances of restoring a normal cycle.
1) Focus on Rebuilding Mineral Stores
Minerals might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, they are. Think of minerals as the building blocks for hormone balance and thyroid health. They are the behind-the-scenes heroes responsible for creating hormones and enzymes and boosting cellular function.
In other words? Your body can’t build health without good materials.
Most of us are deficient in healthy minerals. This is due to modern food processing and genetic modification which drain our everyday foods of their nutrient content. We also have to consider soil quality and chronic stress (which depletes minerals!).
If your period is missing, I recommend getting a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) test that shows your mineral deficiencies over time. If you’re not ready for a test, carefully evaluate your symptoms. They can tell you a lot about the minerals you need.
2) Manage Chronic Stress
There’s nothing more infuriating than visiting a doctor’s office for a serious problem and being told you’re “just stressed out.” I am a firm believer in uncovering every possible root cause of your missing period—but I do know stress can be big a factor.
Knowing about your chronic stress and treating it are two very different things. For most people, it’s not as simple as willing yourself to calm down. You have responsibilities that can’t simply be put on hold.
The good news is, there are resources you can use to lower the stress levels in your body—without quitting your job or getting a full-time babysitter. Yoga, brain retraining, somatic exercises, breathwork, and meditation are your best friends as you work to regain your missing period.
These resources can help lower cortisol levels in the body (a big factor when it comes to hormone imbalance) and empower you to create a sustainable lifestyle that genuinely fuels you.
3) Increase Your Calorie Intake
Real talk: if you have a history of strictly counting calories or participating in fad diets, you’re likely to lose your period. Women aren’t meant to function on low-calorie diets. Quite the opposite, actually. Our hormones run on nutrients like protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and yes, even carbohydrates.
I know, this may be hard to hear in a world that values body image above all else—but hear me out. Well-nourished does not mean overweight.
Without adequate calories and macronutrients, our bodies struggle to function optimally. Our bodies rely on a safe space where there are enough nutrients to maintain balanced hormones and grow a baby (even if we’re not trying to get pregnant).
Most of my clients intuitively know when they’re not eating enough. I recommend starting slow and increasing protein levels first. Then you can focus on healthy carbohydrates and fats.
4) Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine remedy that’s shown in studies to be effective for pregnancy and conception (lowering hormone imbalance). Although it’s somewhat misunderstood and considered to be a little “woo-woo,” there’s real science behind it.
During acupuncture, certain acupuncture points are stimulated in the body. These points can actually increase neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, etc.) while boosting blood flow to the ovaries. Neurotransmitters are key components of positive hormone health—and if one is out of balance, the other is likely to follow.
5) Remove Environmental Toxins
Toxins in cleaners, makeup, and body products are often considered a root cause for missing periods. They certainly play a role—but I think we need to dig even deeper.
Things like heavy metals, mycotoxins, and toxic burden caused by chronic illness or extreme environmental factors have to be considered. Look at your water quality, test your home for mold, and avoid chemical spills and pollution (which can sometimes mimic estrogen in the body) when possible.
If you’re plagued by a toxic environment, you’ll likely notice other symptoms at play, too. In addition to a missing period, you might experience chronic fatigue, insomnia, liver issues, sinus problems, lung problems, and so many more “mystery symptoms.”
It’s common for women to face missing periods when there’s something deeper going on. Be mindful of your environment and remove toxins wherever you can.
Yes, You Can Get Your Period Back
I’m not just saying that. I’ve helped dozens of women jumpstart their fertility and restore their periods after years of misdiagnoses and mystery symptoms.
Usually, a missing period is a symptom of a bigger issue.
When your body doesn’t feel safe enough to reproduce, it removes reproduction from the equation. Instead of treating the symptoms, we need to get to the root of why your body doesn’t feel safe having a baby—and treat that.
You can get your period back.
You just need the right resources.
Ready to find your missing period? My Preconception Group Coaching Course is now open for women who want to restore their fertility and plan a successful, well-nourished pregnancy.