How badly can stress effect the menstrual cycle?

Question

I've been informed by a close friend that her menstrual cycle is a few days late. However, she isn't exactly sure how to count the days to her next period. Normally (as she says) she counts from the first day of her period - a month - until her next one. It was supposed to come around the eleventh. But it hasn't come yet and she's quite worried. She's too young to be able to take care of a baby. She's stressed out because there's a possibility she might need knee surgery. How can I help her? What should she do? I know she needs to get a pregnancy test but how will her parents react if she ends up being pregnant? Is it possible for her to have an abortion (she's a minor) without a legal guardian being there. Maybe an adult friend? Any responses to these questions would be tremendously helpful. If you're a faithful person please pray for her.

Answer 1

well stress held my period back for 3 weeks. tell her not to think about it or else it might never come.

but at the same time long as she was never had s*x it is normal for some woman to go a least 3 months without a period but more than that then you need to see a doctor

Answer 2

Well it can effect it significantly if your friend is really stressed. She can keep track of her menstrual cycle on seventeen.com.

Answer 3

Well, for me... when I'm not under stress, I know exactly what day I'm going to start (and you count the day you start as day #1 to the first day of your next period, and that's the last day you count for that cycle... it should be between 28 - 35 days). But when I'm under a lot of stress, it could be early or late (it has been up to 2 weeks late for me).

As for the abortion (which I don't believe in :\) I've heard that having to tell her parents/guardians depends on where she lives. I think you can find out by going/calling here:

Planned Parenthood 1-800-230-7526 http://www.plannedparenthood.org

Birthright 1-800-550-4900

http://www.birthright.org  

Answer 4

stress can delay her period even prevent it so before she freaks out she should really test herself. As far as telling her parents I wouldn't say anything until she is tested for pregnancy then she should just be honest with them. .they will be disappointed and upset but also be supportive.. they won't quit loving her because of a mistake.

Answer 5

It sounds like she hasn't had her period for too long or she hasn't been tracking it well. It can take years for a young woman's body to develop a "normal" cycle and unfortunately some women never achieve what we can safely call a normal cycle. However, stress can most definitely cause a period to be late or even miss all together.

For example, I have a 29 day cycle every month. From the day I start to the day before my next period is 29 days. The first day of my new cycle starts day 1.

There is an awesome website to help track your periods (www.mymonthlycycles.com). It is free and can be very helpful.

But if your friend has been sexually active and thinks she has missed her period she should take a pregnancy test to be sure. If she is pregnant she need to own up to her decisions and come clean with a parent or guardian. Its the right thing to do...that is whether or not she decides to continue her pregnancy or not. You want to be sure that if she has an abortion that she is going to a reputable clinic and that she has support from friends and family. Going through something like this is not just a toll on your physical health but mentally as well.

I pray that everything turns out for the best.