Can night shift cause missed periods

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Hi! So I'm a new nurse. 39 years old started 6 months ago at a pretty busy hospital. I really like my job but it is really stressful to be a new nurse. I was switched to nights the first week in January. That month I skipped my period. Then I got a period in February and since have skipped March and April period (not pregnant). My question is whether starting nightshift could actually affect my period to the point of missing it completely? or is this just wishful thinking and I'm most likely headed towards menopause? Was planning to get pregnant towards the end of 20218 so I've basically spent the last two months crying and fretting a loss of fertility. I have a doctors appt coming up and I realize this is a personal issue, but just wondering if any one else had missed periods when starting night shift? Much love thanks!!

Specializes in retired LTC.

Any chance of significant weight loss ? Are you doing any strict or prolonged dieting?

From perfect regularity (even on NOC) I became amenorrheic for 11 months. Even with a try at hormonal stimulation, no menses.

I was actively dieting and had lost a BIG amt of wgt. My ob/gyn and I ascribed it to that and as soon as my system could re-regulate itself, my menses would restart. I started again after 11 months but was still dieting.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
Medic_Murse said:
I'm still waiting for mine.

Be glad you don't!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Medic_Murse said:
I'm still waiting for mine.
Rocknurse said:
Be glad you don't!

Actually I used to experience menstrual cycles "vicariously" but my Sweet Petunia had the culprit removed and I live menstruation free now...whooo!

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I have to say my stress level has played a large role in my cycles. While I was working in a job I HATED and that I found to be beyond super stressful, my periods were crazy. They were coming more often than usual some months, other months not until 1-2 weeks later than it should have been.

I've only been gone about a month so we shall see. I'm guessing stress is playing a role. Hopefully you get some better answers. A new job might be in order.

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No In fact I've GAINED weight! I wish I had lost lol but that's interesting that we can become so irregular from different reasons other than infertility. Gives me hope

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So update. I saw the ob/gyn today. He said night shift and stress can definitely affect the menstrual cycle but that it doesn't mean it's definitely due to that. He decided to send me for Bloodwork to test for different labs that could give an indicator of my fertility levels and if I'm in perimenopause or having any thyroid issues etc. I should get the results in about a week. But he said it's too premature to worry and I should track my ovulation and keep trying for a baby if that's what I want. He said there are avenues to go down if I'm not ovulating including Clomid etc., but not to even think about that yet. I realllly want one so we shall see!!! Thanks so much for all the comments

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Specializes in NICU.
LovingLife123 said:
OP, I got pregnant on nightshift.

I mean, I don't think it's professional, but as long as the patients were taken care of... ;)

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Floatnurse137 said:
So update. I saw the ob/gyn today. He said night shift and stress can definitely affect the menstrual cycle but that it doesn't mean it's definitely due to that. He decided to send me for Bloodwork to test for different labs that could give an indicator of my fertility levels and if I'm in perimenopause or having any thyroid issues etc. I should get the results in about a week. But he said it's too premature to worry and I should track my ovulation and keep trying for a baby if that's what I want. He said there are avenues to go down if I'm not ovulating including Clomid etc., but not to even think about that yet. I realllly want one so we shall see! Thanks so much for all the comments

I'm going to go ahead and be a downer again, because these are things I wish I would have known. At age 39, you can look perfect on paper, but still have very poor egg quality. Most OB patients are already pregnant and OBs tend to have simplistic views when it comes to fertility.

The bloodwork is a good start, but should be accompanied by other diagnostics to rule out anatomical issues. If the baby is important, be very aggressive because of your "advanced" age. The sooner you pinpoint any issues, the more options you'll have.

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That's a true perspective thanks! I'm definitely going to be aggressive pursing this.

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