May 23, 2021
Did you know? Probably not, even if you have your period: the disappearance or even interruption of the menstrual cycle is a common phenomenon during a long journey – this is called secondary amenorrhea. Problem: Many menstruating people only find out about it when their cycle goes off the rails!
This is what happened to me, as well as to other menstruating people I met abroad, and it made me want to learn more about this little-known phenomenon.
When Travel Interrupts Your Period
Curiously, I launched an online form when this happened to me to understand the extent of this lack of knowledge. Of the 63 menstruating people who were expatriates or traveling (from Peru to India, via France) who responded, 41% said they learned about secondary amenorrhea through exposure to it – or by reading the above questionnaire!
Among them, 41 noticed some kind of interruption in their menstrual cycle during a long trip: reversed calendar, altered flow, and pain… Even more surprising: half of them experienced significant delays, such as three whole months without a period.
The opposite of this last example: the abbreviated cycle. “I had just finished it and two weeks later I got my period again”testifies Lisa*, a volunteer for a year in Lithuania. Behind her laughter, frustration: “I’m already bad at managing my period, now there’s no point in trying!”
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An interrupted menstrual cycle, is it normal or worrying?
” THE intensive sport, significant weight changes, strong stress following a change in habits are the main causes of secondary amenorrhea. »
Julie Meunier has been a general practitioner for about ten years and provides gynecological consultations. With her hands folded on her wooden desk, she explains to us in a calm voice:
“I don’t have an order of magnitude, but it’s a frequent phenomenon.”
There is no typical profile of the person affected nor any magic potion to avoid seeing one’s cycle interrupted, therefore: we should promote a healthy lifestyle and try to fight stress. The pill, ask Dr. Meunier?
«It may bring back your periods, but it doesn’t solve the problem: as soon as you stop taking it, these “false periods” will stop again. »
The doctor remains categorical: as long as amenorrhea has no biological cause, it is benign, with no consequences on fertility or menopause.
Difficulty in accessing medical care
68% of the respondents to the questionnaire did not contact a health care provider for their menstrual irregularity. On the podium of reasons: “I didn’t think it was serious” AND… “ Going to the doctor isn’t always cheap ».
Accessibility to healthcare can be a headache, even if it’s just the language. Good to know: a list of French-speaking healthcare professionals – including gynecologists – can be found on the websites of some embassies and consulates abroad! Otherwise, it’s the D system, which means asking locals or consulting foreign groups on Facebook, for example.
The European Health Insurance Card – free – is a must for those traveling in Europe (European Union and European Economic Area countries). It guarantees public medical care on site. It does not work for expatriates who are no longer covered by French social security: there, it is better to contact the Caisse des Français Abroad and the insurance for the first euro spent.
Taboo blocks access to information for menstruating people
“We are ignorant about the subject because people don’t necessarily talk to us about it.”
Clémentine, a volunteer in Spain, bitterly recalls the incorrect information provided by a gynecologist and “ debunked by [sa] current midwife » when she was 22. The latter explained to her that travel and the stress it creates can disrupt menstruation: a rare approach: only six people interviewed were warned of this potential by a health professional!
Even Dr. Julie Meunier admits that she never thought to talk about it to her patients, “but it’s a good idea”adds.
52 people answered the questionnaire (out of 63) we consider the issue of rules abroad to be too little addressed. Clara Déplantes, alias @coupdesang on her Instagram, explains: “The taboo of the cycle is an obstacle to menstrual information, hence a large number of people who discover aspects of their cycle by confronting it. »
And it can quickly become stressful: 65% of respondents feel worried about a broken period. Considering her numerous delays of one to three months, Clémentine goes so far as to exclaim:
“For me, it’s when I have my period that I’m happy! »
The silence about menstrual interruptions during prolonged stays accentuates the taboo surrounding them: “Basically, until you’re pregnant, don’t bother us with your period problems!”caustic Clementine analyzes. One more reason to do it Get the information out there at a time when the planet is slowly reopening its doors!
Photo credit: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels
*Name has been changed.
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Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
