Turns out, travelling can disrupt your menstrual cycle due to these 5 reasons

Ask any lady and she’ll tell you how absolutely unpredictable periods can be! You see, our bodies are constantly going through change and these changes do affect our menstrual cycle. At times we can put a finger on the exact factor disrupting our periods, for example a hormonal disorder. But at times, we miss out even on the most obvious causes.

Not many women realize it but travelling can have quite an impact on the menstrual cycle. From a change in the flow to a change in the duration, travelling can cause various changes to your periods. Hence, it is important to understand how travelling can interfere with your menstrual cycle.

Here are 5 ways in which travelling can bring about major changes to your menstrual cycle: 

1. Diet

Your diet goes for a toss when you’re out and about. Calorie intake along with the nutrients you’re consuming undergo change and this causes our body to function accordingly. This might have a direct impact on your hormonal system and as a result, your menstrual cycle may undergo changes as well.

2. Exercise

Travel brings changes in general habits and that includes our workout routine. Change in the level of physical activity is a crucial reason behind late periods. Most of us don’t work out during a vacation and hence, might notice changes to our menstrual cycle. 

3. Stress

Stress has the potential to change the normal menstruation cycle. Stress disrupts our body’s hormonal balance, affecting oestrogen production and ovulation. We might be putting our bodies under stress by drinking excessively or not sleeping enough when we’re travelling.

4. Jet lag

Jet lag and major shifts in the sleep schedule are some of the most common culprits to be blamed for changes in our menstrual cycle when we’re travelling. Any change in the time zone and a lack of sleep can mess with the internal body clock known as the circadian rhythm.

5. Hormonal changes

Your circadian rhythm helps regulate your body’s hormonal fluctuations, according to the US-based National Institute of General Medical Science. The menstrual cycle is affected by travel because of the hormonal relationship it shares with our circadian rhythm.

This, however, doesn’t mean you should panic or stop traveling.

Changes that happen to your menstrual cycle due to travelling aren’t a huge cause of concern. Everything usually returns to normal once you’re back to your routine. So, you should ideally not panic and spoil your mood when you’re out travelling if you experience any changes to your periods.

Here’s how you can minimise the risk of any changes to your menstrual cycle when you’re travelling:

• Try to stick to your regular routine.
• Do make it a point to exercise.
• Sleep for at least 8 hours to avoid any disruptions to your internal body clock.
• Meditate to get rid of stress. 
• Drink enough water to stay hydrated while travelling.

Travelling can disrupt your menstrual cycle but it is nothing to stress yourself about! If, however, the changes continue even after you’ve returned to a normal routine then you should ideally visit a doctor for medical advice.