Perfectionism, Poor Diet = Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

So what is functional hypothalamic amenorrhea? That's a fancy way of saying that stress may stop your periods. The thing I love about this article is that it points out that many women aren't even aware that they are under stress. That was me. I was under such pressure for so long, I just thought that was how life was supposed to be. Read more about how you can reverse irregular or nonexistent periods by changes in your lifestyle:

Soaring stress hormones hit fertility (news.bbc.co.uk)

From the article:

The balance of hormones is vital for women wanting to conceive, and stress can throw this out of place.

Many of these women are not even aware they are suffering from stress, say doctors.

But many share similar characteristics, such as a tendency towards perfectionism, and choosing a poor diet.

A team of researchers from the Magee-Women's Research Institute in Pittsburgh looked at women suffering from functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA).

These patients have wildly irregular or absent periods - often going as long as two years or more without one.

It is not caused by physical defects with the reproductive system, and doctors have suspected that stress might be the root in some cases.

A group of 14 women suffering from the condition were tested, and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol were found in many.

Nearly all recovered

Seven were then treated with behaviour therapy and diet counselling, and seven were not.

Of the seven women treated, six fully recovered normal menstrual cycles, and one partially recovered.