Why Your Period Is Missing 🤔

28 Days of Decoding Your Body: The Hormone Balance Challenge 🕯️🍵🕊️ Day 22-24

So. Many. Women. Are Missing Their Period.

and it’s actually a HUGE reason clients come to us.
Their period has gone MIA…sometimes for months, sometimes for years.

Take Jane (not her real name obvi):
She came off the pill and didn’t cycle for two full years.

Then there’s Kate:
She hadn’t had a period in over a decade…and no one had ever helped her figure out why.

And Lily?
She had just one bleed per year for five years straight. And the doc said dw and come back when you want to get pregnant.

So yes, their period was missing…but their “why” was all super different

and when they go to the doctor?

• don’t worry about it….unless you’re trying to get pregnant

• yeah it’s common for it take a long time to get back to normal post pill. Come back in a year

• hm, you can get back on the pill? That’s about it?

• [if you’re thin] try gaining weight

• [if you’re larger] try losing weight

gee…thanks

Me at 24, in one of the most stressful seasons of my life. I went to my GYN because I wasn’t bleeding - on hbc or even during a short stint off - and her only response was: 'just stay on the pill then’ and ‘yeah that’s common’

• The top 5 most common reasons for a missing period (and no, not just HA)

• What happens to your body when you don’t have a period

• Why going on the pill isn’t a real solution

• What you can do to get back your cycle

Today’s Hormone Balance Action Steps:

💪🏼 Action Step:

• Continue with all other action steps ✨ are you keeping up?

✍🏼 Reflection: A journal prompt on abundance

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What Leads To A Missing Period?

as always, nothing in this article is meant to replace medical advice. Always chat with your care team/doctor/health professional to work with YOUR body and needs.

1. Stress & Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA)

okay okay I know I just said, it won’t be all about HA but hear me out

HA is more than just not eating enough.

When you’re under chronic physical, emotional, or mental stress, the brain -specifically the hypothalamus - senses that the environment might not be safe for reproduction. So it pulls the plug on ovulation to conserve energy and protect resources.

No ovulation = no period. This is called Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA), and it’s incredibly common, especially in women who are high-achievers, over-exercisers, under-eaters, or dealing with persistent life stress.

meaning HA isn’t just a matter of food but of stress. Emotional stress (hello work, high ambitions, daily responsibilities) and physical stress (forgetting meals and working out daily).

The good news? HA is reversible.

Other sources of stress that can temporarily mess with your period? infection, vaccines and travel - however, this should regulate in the following months

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2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

But not every missing period is caused by stress. In many cases, it’s driven by hormonal imbalances, particularly PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

PCOS is a metabolic and hormonal condition that often leads to anovulation—meaning the body starts the process of ovulation, but doesn’t complete it. When ovulation doesn’t happen, progesterone doesn’t rise, and your body doesn’t trigger a period. Some women go months without bleeding, or have irregular, unpredictable cycles.

In fact, I often see PCOS being misdiagnosed as HA and HA misdiagnosed as PCOS

If you’re unclear: as your doctor to test LH, FSH, estrogen, and tesosterone/DHEA-S.

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3. Thyroid Dysfunction (Especially Hypothyroidism)

Your thyroid and your ovaries are besties

The thyroid plays a central role in metabolism, and when thyroid hormone production slows (as in hypothyroidism), so does everything else: digestion, energy, mood… and your menstrual cycle. In fact, a sluggish thyroid is one of the most overlooked reasons for a missing or irregular period.

When thyroid hormones (especially Free T3) are too low, ovulation often doesn’t occur. Additionally, elevated TSH (a signal that the brain is shouting at the thyroid to work harder) can interfere with the delicate hormonal communication needed for a healthy cycle.

If you’re dealing with fatigue, hair loss, constipation, dry skin, cold intolerance, or unexplained weight gain and a missing period, it’s worth testing a full thyroid panel (not just TSH). That means: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies (TPO and TGAb).

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4. Elevated Prolactin

Prolactin is best known as the “milk hormone” since it rises during pregnancy and breastfeeding to stimulate lactation. But even outside of pregnancy, prolactin levels can creep up, and when it does, it puts the brakes on ovulation.

Why? Because high prolactin suppresses GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), the hormone that initiates the whole ovulation cascade. If GnRH is low, LH and FSH (the hormones that mature the egg and trigger ovulation) also stay low.

Elevated prolactin can be caused by stress and low thyroid function, but also certain medications (like SSRIs or antipsychotics), low nutrients (like B6) or a benign pituitary tumor called a prolactinoma. While that might sound scary, these are often tiny and very manageable, especially with the help of an endocrinologist.

Symptoms of high prolactin can include milky nipple discharge (even if not pregnant or breastfeeding), low libido, missed periods, and sometimes headaches.

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5. Post-Birth Control Syndrome (PBCS) or Hormonal Suppression Post-Contraceptive

Coming off hormonal birth control, especially after long-term use, can leave the body in a state of hormonal silence. For some women, their cycle bounces back within a month or two. For others, their period goes missing for 6 months… or longer.

Why? Hormonal contraceptives like the pill, patch, injection, etc can suppress the brain-ovary connection. Ovulation is shut down artificially, and natural hormone production (like estrogen, LH, FSH, and progesterone) is paused. Once you stop, your body has to re-learn how to make and balance hormones again and that process doesn’t always happen right away.

This is especially true if the pill was started young or used for symptom suppression (like acne or painful periods) rather than contraception. In those cases, the original root cause of hormonal imbalance was never addressed…it was just masked.

Now, post-pill, the body’s still dealing with nutrient depletions (zinc, B6, magnesium, folate), a confused feedback loop, and possibly unresolved gut or liver imbalances that impact hormone metabolism.

What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Have a Period

It’s easy to brush off a missing period.

I get it….in fact, it can feel like a relief to not deal with cramps or PMS

But the truth is: your period isn’t just about fertility. And it’s def not just an annoyance.

It’s a monthly report card on your hormonal health, and going without it for months or years at a time can have ripple effects on nearly every system in the body.

• no ovulation = no progesterone = higher anxiety and insomnia

• low estrogen = poor bone health, brain fog, UTIs

• unmanaged PCOS = energy crashes, acne, hair loss

• unmanaged thyroid = constipation, hair loss, fatigue

• high prolactin = low AMH

When your period is missing, it deserves more than a shrug….your body is whispering (or sometimes shouting) that it needs more nourishment, more rest, or more support.

Why The Pill Isn’t The Answer

When you show up at your doctor’s office with a missing period, the feedback usually is: here’s your pill pack babe….this will regulate your cycle

But here’s the thing: that monthly bleed you get on the pill isn’t a real period. It’s a withdrawal bleed triggered by the drop in synthetic hormones during your placebo week. Ovulation never actually occurs so your cycle as never actually restored.

In other words, the pill is a bandaid. And once you come off, odds are nothing is going to be different if you never addressed the root.

Birth control has its place - especially when used intentionally for contraception - but it should never be the go-to “fix” for a missing period. What your body really needs is to be heard, not silenced.

Psst: there are times when HRT makes sense. If you haven’t had a period in 6–12 months and your estrogen is really low, it can start to impact bone, brain, and cardiovascular health. In those cases, a temporary “band-aid” can be helpful…while you work on addressing the root cause underneath.

Getting Your Period Back: Where to Begin

Whether your cycle has been gone for a few months or a few years, the first thing to know is this: your body wants to cycle. Your body isn’t broken. It just needs the right conditions to feel safe and supported enough to ovulate again.

And that brings us to the two most important, foundational pillars:

1. Eat Enough (Yes, Really Enough)

Getting your period back requires your body to feel like there’s enough energy and nourishment to support reproduction.

Most women dealing with missing cycles - especially from hypothalamic amenorrhea - are simply not eating enough. Even if you're eating "clean" or "healthy," if you're undereating calories or carbs or fat, ovulation gets shut down. A good rule of thumb is:

• Aim to eat every 3–4 hours (this is really important if you know the reason for your missing period is HA)

• Follow a balanced plate: complex carbs with every meal (fruit, root vegetables, rice, oats, sourdough), protein, and fats

• Focus on high quality fats like olive oil, eggs, butter, tahini, nuts, and seeds

2. Reduce Physical + Emotional Stress

Stress doesn’t just live in your mind. It has a full body impact and it registers in your hypothalamus, the part of your brain that controls your cycle. That’s why intense workouts, under-sleeping, emotional turmoil or even constant productivity can stall a period.

Recovery means

• slowing down. Think: gentle walks, rest days, yoga or stretching.

• getting outside daily in nature

• meditation and journaling

• prioritizing rest

Extra Support Depending on the Root Cause

Once the foundations are in place, you can layer in targeted support based on what’s driving YOUR missing period.

• For Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA):

• Ditch intermittent fasting, low-carb, and low-fat diets

• Swap intense workouts for walking, yoga, or nothing at all

• Consider working with a therapist, RDN or coach to address perfectionism, control, or body image challenges that may be involved

• For PCOS-Related Amenorrhea:

• Focus on blood sugar balance with protein, fiber, and healthy fats at every meal

• Strength training can support insulin sensitivity

• Inositol (especially myo-inositol + D-chiro blend) may help restore ovulation

• Reduce inflammation with omega-3s, colorful vegetables, and gut support

• For Post-Birth Control Syndrome:

• Support the liver with cruciferous veggies, dandelion root tea, and minerals like magnesium and zinc

• Replenish nutrients depleted by the pill: B vitamins, folate, magnesium, etc

• Give your body 3–6 months minimum and track signs of returning fertility (cervical mucus, basal body temperature, libido)

• Test hormone 2-3 months post pill

• Check out our coming off of hormonal birth control guide

• For Thyroid Imbalances:

• Test a full thyroid panel: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies

• Prioritize protein, iodine (seaweed!), selenium (brazil nuts), and vitamin A (liver!)

• Ensure consistent meals to avoid blood sugar crashes

• For Elevated Prolactin:

• Support B6 levels (in active P-5-P form),

• Rule out a prolactinoma with lab work and imaging if necessary

• Support the nervous system: magnesium glycinate and stress reduction techniques can help bring prolactin down naturally

Put It Into Practice

You’re already doing amaaazzzinnnggg ✨

You have a pretty good line up with the below, so we’re using this as more of a reinforcement now.

Every day you should be….

1. Drink water with lemon within 30 minutes of rising

2. Get sunlight on your skin within 30 minutes of rising

3. Take 5-10 minutes to meditate

4. Have a *smart* cup of caffeine

5. Have a savory breakfast

6. Bring in a serving of cruciferous veggies x day

7. Eat 2 Tbsp seeds x day

8. Have a lil citrus during the day

9. No alcohol (at least for 2 weeks or during luteal phase!)

You’ve got this 💪🏼

Time to Reflect:

When you’re navigating a missing period (especially one rooted in hypothalamic amenorrhea) it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing more:

• more supplements

• intense protocols

• hyper “clean” diet

• research that fuels stress

But it all feeds into this control picture - keeping us stuck in survival mode.

The healing process asks us to slow down, to eat more, to rest more, and to trust that our body is safe.

That’s not always easy in a culture that rewards hustle and restriction. But healing happens when we shift from scarcity to abundance. By believing there is enough time, enough food, enough rest, enough of you.

It’s not just physical nourishment your body needs but it’s emotional permission to receive and blossom.

So grab a cup of matcha, a cozy corner, and let’s dive into the mindset work that can help us support our cycle restoration 👇🏼