Your cycle is sensitive to your circumstances
Ovulation happens through a hormonal back-and-forth between the brain and the ovaries, and that coordination is sensitive to what's going on in you. The NHS lists a few known reasons for irregularity.
The most common reasons
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1
Stress and anxiety. On the NHS's list — and the reason people guess at first.
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2
Weight change. Losing or gaining a noticeable amount, either.
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3
Very hard exercise. Especially when it comes with eating too little. If eating has become difficult for you — for any reason — that on its own is worth talking about.
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4
Hormonal contraception. Starting it, stopping it or switching changes the pattern.
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5
Age. The first years after periods start and the years close to menopause are naturally more irregular.
When the reason needs finding
- irregularity that lasts more than three cycles
- irregularity along with weight change, severe tiredness, new coarse hair on your face and body, or changes in your skin
- periods that stopped after weight loss, eating too little or hard training — don't wait three cycles for this one
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome or thyroid problems can be behind it too, and both can be looked into.
Sources
Health information, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For your own symptoms, talk to a doctor.
Your cycle, honestly.
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