Why Missing Periods with PCOS Isn’t Harmless — And What You Can Do About It

If you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), you may be familiar with irregular or missing periods. It’s a common experience for many women with PCOS, but it’s important to understand why this happens, what it means for your health, and how you can support your body compassionately and effectively.

What Does It Mean When You Miss Periods with PCOS?

Missing periods, medically known as amenorrhea, is often a sign that you’re not ovulating regularly. In PCOS, hormonal imbalances disrupt the normal cycle, often preventing ovulation — the release of an egg from your ovaries.

Without ovulation, your body doesn’t produce enough progesterone, a hormone essential for maintaining the health of your uterine lining. This can cause the lining to build up excessively over time.

Why Missing Periods with PCOS Isn’t Harmless

While it might seem like missing periods is just an inconvenience, it’s more significant than that. The buildup of the uterine lining without regular shedding increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia — a condition where the lining becomes too thick, which can potentially lead to endometrial cancer if left untreated.

This is why regular menstrual cycles, or medically managed periods, are important for your long-term reproductive health.

Emotional Impact: It’s Okay to Feel Worried

Missing periods can be emotionally challenging. It’s normal to feel anxious, frustrated, or confused — especially when your body doesn’t follow the rhythm you expect.

It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and seek support. You are not alone, and your concerns are valid.

How to Support Your Cycle When You Have PCOS

There are several ways to support regular cycles and protect your uterine health when living with PCOS:

• Work with your healthcare provider: Regular check-ups and monitoring can help track your uterine lining and hormone levels.

• Consider progesterone therapy: Your doctor might recommend progesterone to induce a bleed and protect your uterine lining if you’re not ovulating naturally. However, this is not answer alone, strategies (nutrition and lifestyle) should be put in place to help periods become more regular.

• Lifestyle support: Balanced nutrition, stress management, and regular exercise can help improve hormonal balance and ovulation over time. Get in contact if you would like support with this.

• Track your cycle: Understanding your cycle through methods like basal body temperature or cervical mucus monitoring can help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions.

You Deserve Compassionate Care and Support

Missing periods in PCOS isn’t a failure or something to be ashamed of. It’s your body’s way of signaling that it needs attention and support. Compassionate, individualised care is key to managing PCOS effectively.