More than any underlying problems, chances are you might be suffering from stress.

If you have suffer from stress on a regular basis, it can not only affect you psychologically but also physically, through your menses.

How?

"Menstruation involves hormones in a major way. In fact it is entirely regulated by hormones. However, if you are under stress it can meddle with your hormones and cause either skipped menses or spotting," explains Dr. Reshma Rafi, Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai.

Signs of Menstrual Stress

• Painful Menses

This is because your uterus is linked to the brain through nerve fibres. But when you are under stress, the nerve fibres contract, creating spasms in the uterus.

This causes painful menses. Also when you are under stress your pain threshold is low. This makes the menstrual pain even more severe.

• Amenorrhea - Absence of Menses

Oestrogen and progesterone regulate ovulation. However, when you are stressed it causes neurochemical changes that can affect the timely and systematic release of these hormones.

This can cause either a delay in menstruation or no menses at all.

• Spotting or Early Menses

Sometimes during your menstrual cycle you may notice a little blood on your panties or when you wipe the vaginal area with a tissue.

This is known as spotting and can be a sign of an infection. However, if you have been under a lot of pressure lately, it can lead to spotting.