You're body goes through enough stress when it's on it's period. It's like going through mini-labour (hence the cramps). If you're going through a period of stress in your life, your body will shut other things down in order to cope. This is also why people tend to get indigestion when they're stressed. Digestion is less important so that get's shut down and things ferment in your tummy making you feel bad. The menstrul cycle is another one of those things that get's shut off. (Of course, then, you're cramps will be worse since your body has build up even more of that uterine lining in the mean time.) I've been over a month late at times due to stress. It sucks but it happens.

BTW, Pilates rocks. (I've done it, but not regularly of course.) I've also heard good things about the Windsor Pilates.

have you had your thyroid checked lately? Sounds distressingly familiar...

((Hugs))

mog