[geordiemouse]

I'm 25 and have just relocated to Queensland, Australia where my partner and I rent an apartment together. We opened a joint bank account and saved for months and months, putting money aside for setting up our new life here. My partner found work immediately where as I, on the other hand am having little luck. Our savings disappeared quickly on furniture, rent and groceries and we are now living solely on my partners income. I am very much struggling with being unemployed, and whilst my partner could not be more supportive I hate that I cannot contribute financially.

As a result, I am becoming very emotional/teary, I have irregular sleeping patterns and my skin is breaking out. I have also completely missed a period. Despite being on BC and no real reason to suspect I may be pregnant, I have taken pregnancy tests, to rule it out, which as I suspected came back negative.

I just wondered what implications missing a period because of stress, has on the body? Do I just ignore it, continue on the job hunt with hope that once I am set career wise, that Aunt Flo will race back in to my life with open arms? This has never happened to me before, so I don't know what to expect.

Thank you
Gm

[DoulaLC]

Most likely things will right themselves once you are feeling more settled and have a job underway. Stress can alter cycles for some women, and have no effect at all on others. A big move can cause enough stress for some women to change up a cycle.

The ideal, while looking for work, would be to find ways to handle the stress you are feeling. Thankfully your partner is supportive, bless him.

If you haven't already, maybe making a plan of how you are looking for work can help. Sometimes just the action of getting organized can help you feel that you have things under control.
Maybe consider taking a job you will just do temporarily until you find the sort you really would prefer. That way you are working, helping out financially, all while still pursuing something better.

Be sure to get outside once in awhile and get some exercise and fresh air. Stress hates regular exercise. Since you are in a new area, if possible, get out and explore what's there. Walk around the town, find local parks, etc.. Avoid foods and drink that can make sleep more difficult for you. Cut out caffeine for example, or cut way back on it. For some people even having some several hours before bed can disrupt their sleep.
Maybe try relaxation techniques, yoga, etc.

Talk regularly with friends and family... if they are all living elsewhere, make regular phone calls, chat online, send e-mail.
Treat yourself well... eat healthy food choices, rest when you need it, get daily exercise, stay in contact with family and friends, know that you are doing what you can to find work and that it will happen. Sometimes it just takes time and you can't do anything about that.

Your body is usually able to deal with stress pretty well, but sometimes, if it gets to an overload level, you can start to see health issues. If you feel you are not able to overcome the stress and anxiety you feel on your own, you might want to see your doctor and have a chat about it.

As far as the effect on your periods, try not to worry about it, it should sort itself out when things are more settled. Some feel it is natures way of preventing you becoming pregnant in times of great stress. Of course don't count on it and be sure to continue to use your birth control!. :)

Fingers crossed!

[geordiemouse]

Wow - thank you so much for your positive and motivating response. Without sounding cheesy it really spoke to me.

I have definitely been making the mistake of shutting myself away and sometimes not getting out for days on end. I bought a swimsuit and goggles about a month ago, with the intention of swimming laps a few days a week, but seeing as my focus has been so down beat and all about how I've not gotten a job yet, that everything else has taken a back seat.

As I mentioned I'm fortunate to have such a supportive partner, so I don't feel like I need to see a doctor.. . Just yet anyway. He's encouraging me to get back in to design which I have a degree in and has always been a hobby of mine. He's so logical and a real planner too, which I'm not.

I've always been my own worst enemy in the sense that I spend way too much time in my head (if that makes sense). I've been stressed before, but never to the point where my body has reacted so physically to it. That's what freaked me out.

Gm