AND Is it true that stress can cause your period to skip?
Thank you, Giulia
Doctor Monica Calcagni responds
I’m there Doctor Monica Calcagni, Surgeon specializing in Gynecology and Obstetrics. For over twenty years I have accompanied women in every phase of their lives with competence, listening and passion. I graduated with honors fromUniversity of Rome “Tor Vergata”where I also obtained a specialization in Obstetrics and Gynecology with honors and a II level Master’s degree in Aesthetic Medicine, as well as various specialist certifications.
In my job I deal with everything related to gynecological health: from prevention to contraception, from pregnancy to birth assistance, up to obstetric and gynecological ultrasound. I’m a non-objecting doctor and I have always been committed to protection of women’s health and rights.
Alongside my clinical activity, I also carry out my educational activity, with scientific publications and three books aimed at the general public. I have written three books: My journey alongside women (Maggioli Editore, 2025), More woman, less break (Sperling&Kupfer, 2024) e Women’s things (Sperling&Kupfer, 2022).
For info and contacts call 3397247140-3737375627
Or for online consultations you can book directly on the platform Doctorium.
Doctor Monica Calcagni
The menstrual cycle is not just a matter of hormones
Dear reader,
yes, it’s true, and it happens much more often than you think. The menstrual cycle is not just a matter of hormones: it is the result of a constant dialogue between the brain, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries and uterus, a fine, perfectly synchronized network that regulates ovulation and menstruation. When we suffer significant stress – emotional, physical or psychological – this delicate balance is altered.
How stress works
Stress acts directly on the hypothalamus, the “hormonal control unit” of the brain, which in alarm conditions reduces the production of GnRH, the hormone that stimulates ovulation. It is as if the body interpreted the situation as not suitable for a pregnancy and decided to “pause” the reproductive function to protect itself. The result can be a irregular cycle, a delay or even the disappearance of the period for one or more months (what we call stress amenorrhea).
It doesn’t only happen in moments of strong emotional tension – bereavement, worries, periods of intense work or exams – but even in case of physical stress: rapid weight loss, excessive exercise, crash diets, or illness. All these situations represent a “alert” signal for the organismwhich reacts by temporarily blocking ovulation.
How to find balance again?
But don’t worry: in most cases it is a reversible condition. When the body regains its balance, the cycle tends to reappear spontaneously. However, it is important to listen to this signal: the cycle is a faithful mirror of our general state of health, a precious indicator of psycho-physical well-being. To help the body find its rhythm, it is essential slow down, get enough sleep, take care of your diet and do something that reduces tension, such as walking, meditating or simply breathing deeply. However, if the absence of a period lasts for more than three months, it is a good idea to contact your gynecologist to rule out other causes, such as thyroid disorders or polycystic ovaries, which can coexist with stress. Let us remember that the menstrual cycle is not just a biological event, but an indicator of our internal balance. Listening to him, respecting him and learning to read his changes means taking care of yourself, every month, with awareness and love.
If you want to know more about the gynecological examination and how it happens, subscribe to mine Calcagni Gynecologist YouTube channel and you will find a video on the topic. Follow mine “Conscious Cycle” course if you want to learn more about your body and your periods.