Exercise has countless health benefits. Weight control, heart health and improvements to your emotional state may be experienced through regular exercise. If you are going through a period of time in your life when exercise is not possible, you may start to notice changes in your body, including a change in your menstrual cycle.
The Facts
Secondary amenorrhea is when you have had periods regularly since puberty but have not experienced one in at least three months. Amenorrhea can be caused by a number of factors, including stress, pregnancy and taking some medications. Exercise can be associated with amenorrhea, although it is more common to have a loss of period from excessive exercise than with stopping exercise.
Weight Gain
Fluctuations in weight can cause your period to be late. The more weight you gain, the less able your body is to produce estrogen. Dr. Michael Lam of the Adrenal Fatigue Center explains that women with more fat cells produce excess estrogen. Too much estrogen causes the body to hold on to the uterine lining that is shed during menstruation. This may result in a very heavy period in a few month's time.
Serious Health Problems
You late period coinciding with your lack of exercise could be coincidental if you have a more serious health issue. An irregular period is a symptom, not a disease by itself. Your doctor can run tests to check for hormonal imbalances that could be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome. You should also be screened regularly for cervical cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.
Considerations
Consult with your doctor if you have abnormal periods to rule out illnesses and pregnancy. If you have no health reasons for eliminating exercise, consider finding ways to implement activities into your day that keep you mobile. Exercise can be helpful in regulating your period, and with controlling cramps and energy loss during your period.
