Delay, pain, absence … The menstrual cycle can also be affected by the confinement period.
In an Instagram story, journalist Lauren Bastide, creator of the La Poudre podcast, shared the message of a surfer, worried about not having her period since the start of the pandemic. "I have the same problem and am very panicked about it" wrote the young woman.
On Twitter, feminist director Ovidie even launched a poll, in which 997 people have participated to date. To the question "Since your pandemic, are your periods?", 60% of women replied "as usual", 23.7% "lagged" and 16.3% "have completely disappeared". In the comments, many women accuse a late menstruation of a week and some note rules "more difficult" than usual.
The stress of confinement impacts the menstrual cycle
"Indeed, a stressful situation like being confined and anxious for yourself, your loved ones, the world, can disrupt the menstrual cycle: closer periods or on the contrary, more distant or even total absence of rules for a little while"Responded on Instagram Laura Berlin, obstetrician gynecologist. "However, be careful, do not hesitate to take a pregnancy test if there has been a delay in menstruation and a risk report."
Confinement and the surrounding context, worrying and insecure, are all sources of stress which can therefore unbalance the rules.
The health professional adds: "When there are no more periods at all due to stress, this is called functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. It can be caused by stress therefore, but also significant weight loss orintensive physical exercise. But hey we talk about that from 3 months without rules – and it's a diagnosis of elimination! First you have to make sure that there are no other causes. "
"As we hope that in 3 months the confinement will be finished, the question will probably not arise! In the meantime, we don't worry too much about that!"reassures Laura Berlingo. Everything should therefore return to normal once the period of confinement is over and these worries are behind us.
If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact your gynecologist. Doctors no longer receive out-of-emergency patients due to the pandemic, but many are offering consultations by telephone or video.
See also: Amenorrhea, I don't have my period, should I worry?
by Marion Dos Santos Clara