The whys of a skipped period

[virile.livejournal.com]

This is more a curiousity question than a I-have-a-problem question. It seems that I'm going to skip my period this month and it got me to wondering...when you skip your period, where does it go?! I mean, what is the biological mechinism by which you just don't menstrate, considering that you aren't pregnant or entering menopause? Does it mean you didn't ovulate the previous month? Does the lining of your uterus build up as usual but just not shed? Can there be multiple situations that can occur?

Also, why did I experience PMS without getting a period (if it can properly be called PMS in that case...perhaps pre-nothing-happened syndrome)?

Comments

Skipping the gift

[photomama4.livejournal.com]

I was told that when you skip a period your egg that normaly goes unfertilized isnt there and u get the symptons but your lining does not shed, but you may have a heavier period next mth. At least that is what happned to me at times. But i would skip when under alot of stree or if i exercised a great deal or my diet changed drasticley. If it continues i would go to my doctor to see if there is a mediacal issue you need to deal with.

[misspaigeb.livejournal.com]

Your period is delayed when ovulation is delayed. So if you don't ovulate there is nothing to shed and no period. Ovulation can be delayed by stress or being sick or losing/gaining weight or a combination of all those things.

[sparks37.livejournal.com]

http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/images/05-07-Menstrual.jpg

Your menstrual cycle is completely regulated by hormones. Like misspaigeb said, if your body feels stressed or sick (ie. determines that it may be in a situation where its incapable of maintaining a pregnancy) your ovulation can be delayed, resulting in a later period. It may be so late that it seems to pick up on schedule the next month, but it's not skipped on a month by month basis.

The follicle on the ovary that the egg ovulates from (called a corpus luteum) produces progesterone, which keeps your uterine lining from shedding. When the egg isn't fertilized, that follicle "dries up" and the drop in progesterone signals your uterus to shed. Your body will continue to build up lining until these signals occur from ovulation. So, no ovulation, no period.

[spiralgirl1.livejournal.com]

Although, if you're chemically skipping periods by way of birth control, your uterine lining doesn't build up as much just from being on HBC (that's part of how the pill makes the uterus a hostile environment for a fertilized egg and prevents implantation if all other things don't work). That's why many women have lighter and shorter periods when they are on the pill.

Personally, I've decided to stop having periods all together and will just be continuously taking my pills. I call it "chemical menopause", and I'm quite excited.