Has the stress of confinement disrupted the menstrual cycle of women?

• In April, sales of pregnancy tests jumped 37%.
• Since the start of confinement, many women have had a missed period, which suggests that confinement has disrupted their menstrual cycle.
• Stress could be one of the explanations, the successful pregnancy plans too.

Should we expect a baby boom in nine months? In April, while the French women were getting used to the constraints of confinement, the Observatory of sales of large retailers pointed to an explosion in sales of pregnancy tests, with a peak in sales of 37 % compared to the same period a year earlier.

In addition to the successful pregnancy plans, these delayed periods described by many women in recent weeks could also be linked to the impact of confinement and fear of the coronavirus, which would generate in many women increased stress likely to disrupt their menstrual cycle.

Higher stress hormone secretion

After two months without periods and feeling a little heavy, Camille went to the nearest pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test. "I said to myself:" either I am pregnant, or I have forced too much on the almond puree ", jokes the thirty-something. But after more than a month late, I thought: "something is wrong!" "However, Camille's pregnancy test turned out to be negative, and a few days later," the English finally arrived. I think it's due to the stress of confinement. ”

Like Camille, many young women testified on Twitter about a missed period. "14 days late, are they also in confinement my period?" Asks a surfer. Some have increased pregnancy tests to make sure they are not pregnant.

When you finally have your period after 3 weeks late and 4 negative pregnancy tests ... Bah tu douille. #confinement #COVID ー 19 #SPM #JPP pic.twitter.com/7CNcDzFhkF

14 days late, are they also in confinement my period?

Can the stress of confinement lead to a delay in menstruation? "We can quite imagine it in women who do not have oral or local contraception, answers Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist and author of the blog Mam gynéco and the book Vagin et Cie, We tell you everything! (Ed. Mango). The change in lifestyle, stress level can upset the regularity of the menstrual cycle. As we know, confinement has caused a lot of anxiety, which increases the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone, describes the gynecologist. This can affect the endocrine system, therefore the hormones. Significant stress can cut the menstrual cycle. In addition, a change in weight or physical activity can also be the cause, because anything that affects fat can affect the rules. Moreover, the French tended to gain weight, on average 2.5 kg, during these weeks of confinement.

Probably already irregular cycles

For Camille, a mother who juggles between occupying her son and managing her professional activity in teleworking, that explains everything. “From confinement, I had a peak of stress: confinement disrupted my daily rhythm, my sleep shifted, my level of physical activity changed. And we had to stay productive while taking care of my little boy, it puts pressure, and causes fatigue. I think it all had an effect on my cycle. ”

However, "women who observe major disturbances in their menstrual cycle during this particular period of confinement are probably those who already have irregular cycles, for various reasons, ranging from polycystic ovaries to perimenopause", adds Dr Aude Du Passage , gynecologist. It is true that after serious health problems a few years ago, Camille had become accustomed to irregular cycles, "but I had regained an approximately normal menstrual cycle in the past six months. I happen to be a little late, but more than a month, however, it's rare. ”

Disgruntled access to contraception

These disturbed cycles can also be explained by a lack of contraception. With, at the start of confinement, the almost complete closure of gynecology, midwifery and general medicine offices, "there are probably a certain number of women who could not consult and who found themselves without pills or with an expired IUD, which considerably increases the risk of unplanned pregnancy in the event of a condom defect, ”underlines Dr Bagot.

A problem anticipated by the government from the start of containment. On March 18, Marlène Schiappa announced the possibility given to pharmacists to renew treatments with an old prescription, thus authorizing them to "dispense the contraceptive pill to women unable to refill their prescription".

🗣 Women who wish can continue to have access to the #contraceptive pill by simply presenting an old prescription to the pharmacy, without going through a doctor. Our press release with @olivierveran #COVID ー 19 pic.twitter.com/2J1YqSyFyL

"But not all women were aware of this measure," deplore Dr Bagot and Du Passage, who in recent weeks have renewed all the prescriptions of the patients who asked for them. "In all cases, if the delay in menstruation persists and no pregnancy is in progress, one must consult to determine the cause," prescribes Dr. Bagot.

More successful pregnancy projects

However, "if the sales of pregnancy tests explode, we must start by asking why women think they are pregnant," says Dr. Odile Bagot. The first hypothesis is that they have, with confinement, more time at home, therefore more sexual intercourse, and more chances of carrying out their baby project with their partner. There may be some couples who, with their confinement, have found the serenity and the time to put a baby on the way. This change in daily life caused by confinement turns the pace of life and the habits of many couples upside down. In particular, young people, who, as we know, have had far less sexual intercourse in recent years than previous generations at the same age ”.

"In the event of a significant delay in menstruation, pregnancy inevitably remains one of the most probable causes," says Dr Aude Du Passage, gynecologist, who continues some face-to-face consultations and also offers teleconsultation. In recent weeks, I have had quite a few pregnant patients. The increase in demand for pregnancy tests may correspond to the increase in successful pregnancy plans. ”

The two gynecologists are not betting on it, "but we would have to see if, in nine months, we observe a peak in births".

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• Women's health
• Stress
• Women
• Rules
• Confinement
• Coronavirus
• Health