Sleep isn’t just rest — it’s part of your hormonal language. While you sleep, your brain regulates hormones that control stress, hunger, and reproduction. When sleep becomes irregular — from night shifts or changing schedules — your internal clock (circadian rhythm) can drift out of sync with ovulation.

Studies show that women who work nights or irregular hours are more likely to experience delayed ovulation, irregular periods, or temporary cycle disruptions. It’s not that your body “stops working” — it’s adapting to a world without rhythm.

Light also affects melatonin, which influences the release of reproductive hormones through the hypothalamus. Too much artificial light, caffeine, or stress at night confuses your body about when it’s time to rest.

Alma’s tips:

If you work shifts, create gentle routines anyway. Try to sleep in solid blocks, use blackout curtains, and avoid bright light before rest. Eat at roughly consistent times, and give your body a moment of calm before bed. Small changes can make a big difference for hormone balance. And above all — be kind to yourself. You’re living in a rhythm your biology didn’t design — but you can still find balance within it.