Yes, You Can Get a Period Without Ovulating
Yup. You can still get a period and not ovulate. It’s called an anovulatory cycle.
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Dr. Lara Briden defines anovulatory cycles as “a menstrual cycle in which ovulation did not occur, and progesterone was not made.”
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No ovulation means no corpus luteum and therefore, no progesterone. But this also means we have estrogen that’s left unopposed, which can further contribute to estrogen dominance.
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This was 100% me for 1.5 years after coming off the hormonal birth control pill. Now that I understand the magic of ovulation (see my post titled ‘if your cycle were a show, ovulation would be the star’), so many of my symptoms — acne, hair loss, etc — make sense.
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What causes an anovulatory cycle? There can be one or many things at play. But it all comes down to stress. Here are just a few drivers:
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〰️Emotional, physical, environmental, chemical, etc
〰️Overexercise
〰️Low body weight
〰️Rapid weight loss
〰️Thyroid dysfunction
〰️PCOS
〰️Birth control implant or injection
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How can you lower stress? Some things that can help:
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〰️Balance your blood sugar with the right ratio of protein, carb and fat for your body
〰️Eat at the right food frequency for you
〰️Consume nutrient and mineral-rich foods
〰️Find an exercise program that revitalizes you
〰️Employ other stress management techniques
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Learn how to move and fuel yourself all cycle long my free Cycle Literacy Guide. Link in bio.
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Not medical advice.
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Briden, L. (2017). Period Repair Manual.
Dalton, K. (1999). Once a Month. Hunter House Inc., Publishers: Alameda, CA.
Peat, R. (1997). From PMS to Menopause. Eugene, OR.
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