Some people’s periods come on schedule each month. Others may find theirs to be irregular and erratic and for some, they sometimes don’t happen at all! If your mensuration is delayed or totally absent, you just may not actually be pregnant.
Read on to find out why your monthly visitor may be delayed or missing.
Apart from pregnancy, there are many other causes for missed or delayed mensuration. From hormonal imbalances to physical conditions, missing or irregular periods are frequently caused by other things apart from pregnancy. Let’s talk about the primary causes of missing periods and the indications that it’s time to see a doctor.
Is missing a period normal?
Unusual periods are common at numerous points in a person’s life, including when menstruation first begins (around adolescence), when nursing, and at the start of perimenopause (the transitional stage that precedes menopause).
The majority of people typically get periods every 28 days. However, the menstrual cycle of a healthy individual might last anywhere between 21 and 35 days. A missing mensuration may point to a health problem in addition to puberty, menopause, and pregnancy.
You might, however, miss your period for a variety of causes other than pregnancy. Stress, low body weight, obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), birth control usage, some chronic conditions, early perimenopause, and thyroid problems are some of the causes of month-long absences.
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Causes of missed periods other than pregnancy
Other than pregnancy, some of the causes include the following;
Stress
This is among the most frequent explanations. The hypothalamus, a region of the brain that aids in controlling your mensuration, can be impacted by stress, which can also lead to a hormonal imbalance.
In addition to affecting your cycle, stress can result in weight loss, increase, or other ailments. Traveling, troubles in relationships and at work, emotional issues, money worries, etc. are just a few examples of the numerous things that can cause stress.
Low Body Weight
A missing period might also be caused by low body weight. Menstruation may stop for those who suffer from eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia nervosa.
Hormonal changes may lead you to stop ovulating if your body weight is too low. Marathon runners and other athletes may also miss mensuration after engaging in certain sorts of activities.
Obesity
As with low body weight, hormonal changes brought on by obesity can also prevent mensuration.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Your body creates more of the androgen hormone in PCOS, a disorder. Ovulation ceases or becomes irregular as a result of this hormonal imbalance, and in the ovaries, arrested follicles (cysts) develop. A missing period is the outcome of this. Along with androgens, PCOS can also mess with other hormones like insulin.
Birth Control
Changes in your menstrual cycle may result from discontinuing or starting birth control. Progesterone and estrogen are two substances used in birth control that stop the ovaries from producing eggs. If you stop using birth control pills or start taking them again, your mensuration will probably start to become regular within three months. Missed periods are also a potential side effect of other hormonal contraceptives that are implanted or injected.
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Chronic diseases
Diabetes and celiac disease are two examples of chronic conditions that might interfere with your mensuration. Changes in blood sugar levels can impact hormones, and poorly managed diabetes can cause irregular menstrual cycles. Missed or late periods can result from celiac disease, which increases inflammation in the small intestine and interferes with the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients.
Thyroid issues
Irregularities can also be brought on by an underactive or hyperactive thyroid gland. Because the thyroid gland controls your body’s metabolism, thyroid problems can also impact your hormone levels, causing you to skip a period.
Early Perimenopause
Menopause often starts between the ages of 45 and 55. Early perimenopause is the term used to describe menopausal symptoms that appear before the age of 40. Your eggs are producing less as you approach early perimenopause. This may lead to missing periods and ultimately discontinuation.
Should I contact my health care provider after a missed period?
It might be a good idea to ask your health care provider about missed or irregular periods, especially if your menses are usually regular. A health care provider can help you figure out the reason for your missed mensuration and suggest appropriate treatment options.
Visit your doctor if you notice the following symptoms:
- You’ve missed your period three or more times in a year.
- You get a period more frequently than every 21 days.
- You get a period less frequently than every 35 days.
- Bleeding lasts for more than seven days.
- Bleeding is heavier than normal.
- You have severe pain during your period.
- You have a fever.
- You have postmenopausal bleeding (bleeding after you have entered menopause and have not had a period for one year).
Conclusion
A late or missed period can occur for multiple reasons apart from pregnancy. Potential causes range from hormonal imbalances to more serious medical issues. Many people experience irregular periods during puberty, at the beginning of perimenopause, and during pregnancy.
A missed period can sometimes indicate a health issue. Some causes of a missed period other than pregnancy include stress, low body weight, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, use of birth control, chronic diseases, thyroid issues, and early perimenopause.
Chat with a Doctor on the Whispa App if you’re experiencing a change in the pattern of your regular periods.
