Pinkishe Foundation
31/10/2026
Dr. Shehla Jamal
Your brain and your ovaries talk to each other all month. The brain sends hormone signals that tell the ovaries when to grow and release an egg. So what happens in your mind can change your periods, and the hormone changes of your cycle can change how you feel.
When you are under heavy stress, the body makes more stress hormones such as cortisol. These can upset the brain signals that control ovulation. Exams, grief, a move or trouble at home can make a period come late, early or not at all. Once the stress eases, cycles usually settle.
Some people with anxiety or depression notice their cycles become irregular, or their flow changes. Some medicines, including some used for mental health, can also affect periods. Do not stop a medicine on your own. Ask your doctor.
Eating too little, or exercising hard without eating enough, can stop periods altogether. The body switches off ovulation when it does not have enough energy. This can weaken bones and needs a doctor's care. Moderate, regular exercise supports your cycle; too much, with too little food, can stop it.
If your period is late, rule out pregnancy first. If periods stay irregular after that, see a doctor to check for thyroid problems, PCOS or other causes.
Many girls and women feel irritable, tearful, anxious or tired in the week or two before a period. This is PMS (premenstrual syndrome). It eases once the period starts.
PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is a severe form of PMS. In the days before a period, someone with PMDD may feel very low, hopeless, angry or anxious, enough to affect school, work or relationships. The feelings lift within a few days of the period starting. PMDD is a real medical condition and it can be treated, so tell a doctor if this sounds like you.
If you ever feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself, please talk to someone today. Call Tele-MANAS, the government's free mental health helpline, on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, at any hour. In an emergency, call 112.
Periods that come without warning can cause worry in their own right. Conditions such as PCOS are also linked to more anxiety and low mood. Getting a clear answer from a doctor often helps.
Mental health and menstrual health are both part of your health. A doctor can check for causes of irregular periods. A counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist can help with stress, anxiety, depression or an eating disorder. Asking for help is a strong thing to do.
Have a question about your period? Call our menstrual helpline on 85888 70999. It answers at any hour.
A simple printable sheet that marks your period days, your fertile window and your ovulation day. We will email it to you now.
We will send the tracker and a few gentle menstrual health emails from Khyati at Pinkishe. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Prefer to work out your dates now? Open the free ovulation calculatorYes. Heavy stress can upset the hormone signals that control ovulation, so a period may come late or be missed. If your period is late, rule out pregnancy first.
They can, and so can some medicines used to treat them. Do not stop a medicine on your own. Talk to your doctor if your periods change.
PMS brings mild to moderate mood and body changes before a period. PMDD is much more severe, with very low mood, anger or anxiety that disrupts daily life. Both ease once the period starts, and both can be treated.
Yes. When the body does not get enough energy, it can stop ovulating. This needs a doctor's care, because it can also weaken bones.
Talk to someone you trust and see a doctor or counsellor. Tele-MANAS, the government's free mental health helpline, answers at any hour on 14416.
Your mind and your cycle affect each other. Stress, low mood and eating too little can upset your periods, and the hormone changes before a period can affect your mood. Steady habits help, and a doctor or counsellor can help with the rest.
Pinkishe Foundation is a specialist implementation organisation for menstrual health. We deliver, reliably, in schools and communities across India. Support our work with a donation.
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