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Published on: 3/5/2025

What Could Cause Menstruation to Stop Suddenly?

A sudden stop in menstruation can be caused by pregnancy, changes in your hormones, often driven by stress, weight changes, intense exercise, or lifestyle factors that affect your body's signals.

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Explanation

If your periods suddenly stop and you are sexually active, you should consider a pregnancy test first. When your period stops suddenly, it may be due to a condition called hypothalamic amenorrhea. This happens when your brain, specifically the hypothalamus, does not send the usual signals to your ovaries to start the menstrual cycle. Factors like severe stress, significant weight loss, or very intense exercise can lead to these changes in hormone signals. For example, when your body loses too much weight quickly, it might not have enough energy stored to keep your cycle running normally, and the period can stop unexpectedly. Additionally, lifestyle choices such as smoking or changes in habits may influence hormone balance and contribute to a sudden stop in menstruation. This condition is not uncommon in situations where the body’s energy, stress levels, or overall health is disrupted. If your period stops suddenly and this change persists, it is important to talk with a healthcare provider so they can check your hormone levels and help determine the underlying cause.

(References)

  • O'Hara P, Portser SA, Anderson BP. The influence of menstrual cycle changes on the tobacco withdrawal syndrome in women. Addict Behav. 1989;14(6):595-600. doi: 10.1016/0306-4603(89)90001-4. PMID: 2618842.

  • Shufelt CL, Torbati T, Dutra E. Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and the Long-Term Health Consequences. Semin Reprod Med. 2017 May;35(3):256-262. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1603581. Epub 2017 Jun 28. PMID: 28658709; PMCID: PMC6374026.

  • Chen L, Lu Y, Zhou YF, Wang Y, Zhan HF, Zhao YT, Wang YL, Zhang FF, Chen H, Li X. The effects of weight loss-related amenorrhea on women's health and the therapeutic approaches: a narrative review. Ann Transl Med. 2023 Jan 31;11(2):132. doi: 10.21037/atm-22-6366. PMID: 36819572; PMCID: PMC9929756.

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