April 07, 2021 5 min read

To many people who experience menstruation, it is their frenemy. No one can honestly say that periods are enjoyable, however, when it suddenly disappears and isn’t seen for months or even years, it can be disconcerting. 

If this is something you experience, you may be looking for ways to get your period back naturally. At the end of the day,stopped or missed periods before menopause are a cry for help from your body. 

 At illum, a new brand created by former hannahpad Canada team, we are passionate about self care and women’s health and wellness. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide that will show you how to get your period back. 

In this article, we will answer some of your most commonly asked questions, such as:

Let’s begin! 

Cropped photo of a woman holding a red flower

When Is Menstruation Considered Missed or Stopped?

The only natural time for menstruation to stop completely is during menopause which often happens after the age of 45. The only other natural occurrence that leads to missed periods is, of course, during pregnancy. After giving birth, it can take your period 6 to 8 weeks to return, so in this case, a missing period isn’t a cause for concern.  

For women who are not menopausal, aren’t pregnant, or have not just given birth, menstruation can still become irregular or even stop for an extended period of time. These irregularities are generally linked to diet, lifestyle, and/or health issues. 

At least six weeks without bleeding is considered a missed or delayed period. In some cases, wherein usually a number of dietary/lifestyle/health factors are involved, menstruation can also stop for years.  

Menstruation, for the female physiology, serves as one of the main health indicators. The crux of the matter is this: is your body healthy, internally balanced, and nourished enough for hormones to trigger reproduction?

To shed further light on this, let’s explore the causes of stopped or missed periods. 

Causes of Missed Periods or Stopped Menstruation

Pregnancy and menopause are natural and healthy reasons why periods become missed for an extended period of time or stop altogether. 

Stopped or missed periods can also result from certain medical conditions such as: 

  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Heart Disease
  • Thyroid Disorders
  • Unregulated Diabetes
  • Premature Menopause

Medications can also account for stopped or missed periods, such as:

  • Aspirins and other blood thinners
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Chemotherapy
  • Medications for birth control
  • Medications for menstrual suppression

The following lifestyle factors can also cause periods to be missed or stopped:

  • Sudden weight loss
  • Obesity 
  • Eating disorders 
  • Excessive stress
  • Excessive exercise

When to See a Doctor for Stopped or Missed Periods

Many of the causes for stopped or missed periods are linked to health problems and/or medications. For this reason, it is best to consult a physician to determine the cause(s) of your stopped or missed periods. You will then be able to address the underlying health problems and explore alternatives for certain medications if you seek to regulate your period.    

A gynecologist speaks to a patient about ways to get your period back

How to Get Your Period Back Naturally

Natural ways to regulate periods often work best when the underlying cause(s) are linked to lifestyle factors. However, if health issues are causing or contributing to your delayed or stopped periods, some of these healthy lifestyle changes may be included in your physician’s recommendations. After all, healthy lifestyle changes will benefit not just your period cycle, but also your body as a whole.

Here are five ways to get your period back naturally!

1. Eat a Balanced Diet

Missed or stopped periods is highly common for people with eating disorders, specifically anorexia and obesity. It is important to make sure to eat enough while also maintaining a healthy weight. A balanced diet, with enough caloric intake is one of the best natural ways to regulate periods. A good baseline of a healthy caloric intake for women is around 1,800 to 2,000 calories each day.

2. Exercise in Moderation

In some cases, there   can be too much of a good thing – and this is true for exercise. Though exercise presents numerous benefits for the mind and body, too much exercise causes excess stress on the body. 

Give yourself rest days, and of course, listen to your body. Though most exercise is meant to be challenging, you would instinctively know when you are being over-exerted and when rest is due. 

Not sure if you are exercising too much? Here are some signs to look out for:

  • Feeling tired or fatigued
  • Experiencing depression and mood swings
  • Sustaining overuse injuries on certain body parts
  • Having trouble sleeping

 Two women on a bike ride

3. Manage Stress As Best as Possible 

It is not only physical stress from excess exercise and undernourishment that can cause stopped or delayed periods. In fact, emotional stress is one of the most common culprits out there. When we think of emotional or psychological stress, we think it only affects the brain – so what harm can it do? Well, for menstrual cycles, quite a lot. 

Stress, especially chronic or prolonged stress, is associated with increased cortisol and the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the body. These can suppress reproductive hormones there by leading to abnormal ovulation and irregular/stopped periods. 

In this respect, practicing regular self care, setting healthy boundaries, and setting time for deliberate relaxation can do wonders for your body.

4. Find the Right Supplements for Your Body 

A few supplemental vitamins you can take to help regulate your period include zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, Maca,and Vitex. However, just like with exercise, it is important to consume the recommended healthy amount for you. It would be advisable to ask your physician before taking such supplements to determine the best amount and whether or not they have contraindications for you.

5. Consider Seed Cycling 

Seed cycling is when the individual consumes seeds in correspondence with your menstrual cycle. According to research, seed cycling helps to balance reproductive hormones, leading to a healthier, more regular period. 

Though seed cycling is yet to be backed by further medical research and currently falls under the category of alternative medicine, it can be an interesting option to try. When in doubt, however, consult your healthcare professional.

Illum Supports Healthy, Happy Periods 

At the end of the day, how to get your period back naturally boils down to self-care. Love yourself, set the intention towards healing, take the needed steps, and of course, be patient with yourself. 


 At illum, our approach to women’s self-care products is health-focused, natural, and beautiful – just like you! In no time at all, you will be able to establish a healthy period once again.


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Blog

Illum Period Blood Consistency
What Your Period Blood Consistency Is Telling You

November 24, 2021 2 min read

Read More
Best Period Products for Leakproof Sleeps
How to Get Better Sleep During Your Period

November 11, 2021 5 min read

Read More
Period Yoga
Period Yoga: 8 Poses to Ease Menstrual Cramps

November 04, 2021 5 min read

Read More