Common Causes
Some of the causes of missed periods, besides pregnancy, are as follows:
- Stress: This is one of the most common reasons for a missed period. ...
- Low body weight: Low body weight is another potential reason for a missed period. ...
- Obesity: Similarly to low body weight, obesity can also result in hormonal changes, leading to an absence of menstruation.
Related Conditions
While being pregnant is a possible reason for a missed period, there may be factors related to your health or lifestyle that are causing the delay, notes Shelley White-Corey, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing and a women’s health nurse practitioner.
What are the reasons for not getting your period?
Some girls, though, might not be getting their first periods for other reasons. Some don't get their periods because of hormone imbalances. Girls who are underweight or who have eating disorders may notice a delay in the start of their periods.
Why have I not had my period in 5 months?
There are many reasons why you may not have started mentruating yet. Your body is not prepared for this new situation. Possible causes of periods not starting. Natural causes include pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. Absent menstruation, or amenorrhea, is the absence of menstrual periods.
Why have not I started my period yet?
Why haven't I started my period, yet?
What does it mean if I dont get my period?
The most common cause is pregnancy. However, amenorrhea may also be caused by various lifestyle factors, including body weight and exercise levels. In some cases, hormonal imbalances or problems with the reproductive organs might be the cause. You should see your doctor if you're experiencing amenorrhea.
Is it normal to miss a period and not be pregnant?
There are many reasons why a woman may miss her period, or why periods might stop altogether. Most women have a period every 28 days or so, but it's common to have a slightly shorter or longer cycle than this (from 21 to 40 days). Some women do not always have a regular menstrual cycle.
When to worry if you don't get your period?
You should consult a doctor if: You have not had a period for three months and your periods were previously regular. You have not had a period for 6-9 months but your periods have always been infrequent. You could be pregnant.
How long can stress delay a period?
Stress can delay your period, but the good news is that stress shouldn't completely stop your period (like, forever). If you've gone more than six weeks (the amount of time it takes to classify a period as fully “missed”) since your last period, it may be time to see a doctor and make sure everything is okay.
What kind of infection stops period?
You contracted pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). As the infection spreads to the cells of the uterus, it can lead to problems with menstruation. The Office on Women's Health lists irregular menstrual cycles (like late periods) as one of the symptoms of PID.
Can stress delay your period for 3 months?
“When under stress, your body produces cortisol. Depending on how your body tolerates stress, the cortisol may lead to delayed or light periods — or no period at all (amenorrhea),” says Dr. Kollikonda. “If stress continues, you can go without a period for a long time.”
Why haven't I had my period in 3 months and I'm not pregnant?
Some medical problems (such as hormone imbalances) and lifestyle changes (such as stress, too much exercise, or large amounts of weight loss or gain) can cause girls to miss their periods. Your doctor will be able to look into the cause of any possible problems.
What are the early signs of pregnancy?
The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:Missed period. If you're in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. ... Tender, swollen breasts. ... Nausea with or without vomiting. ... Increased urination. ... Fatigue.
What happens if you don't have a balanced diet?
The body reacts in a similar way if you don’t provide it with a healthy balanced diet. Sometimes people combine a rigorous exercise program with a restricted diet in an effort to get ‘lean and clean’, which hits the reproductive system with a double whammy.
Can you still get pregnant if you don’t have your period?
And because you ovulate before having your period, it is possible to become pregnant even if you haven’t had a period in a while. Here are some other factors that can affect fertility.
What does it mean when a woman doesn't have her period?
Absent menstruation, or amenorrhea, is the absence of menstrual bleeding. It happens when a girl hasn’t had her first menstrual period by age 16. It also occurs then a woman fails to menstruate for 3 to 6 months. Amenorrhea can happen for many reasons.
Why does my period stop?
Lifestyle factors may include excessive exercise and stress. Also, having too little body fat or too much body fat may also delay or stop menstruation.
What causes menstrual irregularities?
Causes of absent menstruation 1 Natural causes most likely to cause amenorrhea include pregnancy, breast-feeding, and menopause. 2 Lifestyle factors may include excessive exercise and stress. Also, having too little body fat or too much body fat may also delay or stop menstruation. 3 Hormonal imbalances may cause amenorrhea. They are usually triggered by tumors on the pituitary gland or the thyroid gland. Low estrogen levels or high testosterone levels can also cause them. 4 Genetic disorders or chromosomal disorders, such as Turner syndrome and Sawyer syndrome, can sometimes cause late menstruation. 5 Medications can cause amenorrhea in some women. 6 Antipsychotics and antidepressants are often involved. 7 Chemotherapy drugs and medications that treat high blood pressure can cause problems with menstruation as well. 8 Suddenly stopping birth control pills may also lead to several months of absent periods before the cycle returns to normal. 9 Physical defects such as structural problems in the female reproductive organs might be responsible for absent or delayed menstruation. 10 These issues can result from birth defects, tumors, or infections that occurred in the womb or shortly after birth. 11 In rare cases, missed periods could be a symptom of Asherman’s syndrome. This occurs due to scarring in the uterus after surgery, which can prevent menstruation.
What causes amenorrhea in women?
Natural causes most likely to cause amenorrhea include pregnancy, breast-feeding, and menopause. Lifestyle factors may include excessive exercise and stress.
What causes late menstruation?
Genetic disorders or chromosomal disorders, such as Turner syndrome and Sawyer syndrome, can sometimes cause late menstruation. Medications can cause amenorrhea in some women. Antipsychotics and antidepressants are often involved.
What tests can help you determine if you have a period?
These diagnostic tests may include: Blood tests, which will allow your doctor to check hormone levels in your body. Prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone are all related to menstruation. Determining these levels can help your doctor determine or rule out the cause of your absent periods.
When should a girl start her period?
A teenage girl who hasn’t started her periods by at least age 16 should see a doctor. A trip to the doctor’s office is also necessary if she is age 14 or older and hasn’t experienced any signs of puberty yet. These changes would include the following in numbered order of appearance:
Why is my period not showing up?
There are a number of reasons why your period may not show up on time — or at all. Missed-period culprits are often as simple as a shift in your schedule or a bout of illness. However, since an irregular or skipped period can also indicate a more serious underlying medical condition, such as thyroid disease or another hormonal imbalance, ...
When do you stop having your period?
You may also skip a period at the end of your menstrual years as you approach menopause. During this time, it’s not unusual for your period to wax and wane, sometimes disappearing for months, until it stops completely (you’re technically in menopause when you’ve gone over 12 months without a menstrual period).
What is the most common medication that causes menstrual changes?
Probably the most common medication to cause menstrual changes is birth control . Hormonal contraceptives such as the pill or patch work by stopping the body from ovulating — and no ovulation means no period. But what about that monthly bleeding you have while using one of these methods? What you're really experiencing is withdrawal bleeding, a “fake” period caused by the drop in hormones when you take the placebo pills in your pack or go patch-free during the fourth week of your cycle.
How old is the average woman when she goes through menopause?
The average age of menopause is 51. Anywhere from two to eight years before that, a woman experiences what's known as perimenopause, a period when the body gradually produces less estrogen. During this time, it's not uncommon to experiences changes in your menstrual cycle — periods may come more or less frequently, be shorter or longer, or be lighter or heavier. But you'll also likely experience hot flashes and night sweats, sleeping difficulties, vaginal dryness and mood swings. If you're concerned about your symptoms, your doctor can check your hormone levels with a blood test.
What does it mean when you have a late period?
Sometimes a late period means exactly what you think: You're pregnant! Because many of the earliest pregnancy symptoms — including cramps, bloating, nausea, spotting, fatigue, breast tenderness and even food aversions — can be similar to what you may experience in the days before menstruation, it can be difficult to tell if your cycle is simply off by a few days or if you're pregnant .
How long before your period can you test for pregnancy?
Pregnancy tests are most reliable the day after your missed period, but some brands claim to be able to detect a pregnancy up to five days before your period is due.
What medications cause irregular periods?
Some other medications that can cause your period to be irregular include antidepressants, some antipsychotics, corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs.
Why don't girls get their periods?
Some girls, though, might not be getting their first periods for other reasons. Some don't get their periods because of hormone imbalances. Girls who are underweight or who have eating disorders may notice a delay in the start of their periods.
When do girls start their period?
Breast development is usually the first sign of puberty, but sometimes pubic hair comes first. Girls usually get their first periods between the ages of 8 and 15.
Can a girl get her period if she is athletic?
Girls who are very athletic might not get their periods until they stop exercising or competing so vigorously. Severe stress or some illnesses also can delay menstruation. It's also possible for a girl who has had sex to become pregnant before she gets her first period.
What to do if your period suddenly becomes irregular?
If your periods suddenly become irregular, talk to your healthcare provider. Further diagnostic testing and/or medical interventions could be necessary .
Why does the endometrium grow?
During a normal menstrual cycle, the endometrium is exposed to hormones, like estrogen, which cause the lining to proliferate and thicken. When ovulation does not occur, the lining is not shed and is exposed to much higher concentrations of estrogen. This causes the endometrium to grow much thicker than normal.
What is the most common cause of ovulatory infertility?
Polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS) affects 3% to 10% percent of women of childbearing ages. 1 PCOS is characterized by high levels of testosterone (all women have testosterone just like all men have estrogen) creating an imbalance of female sex hormones. PCOS is the most common cause of ovulatory infertility due to the hormone imbalance seen ...
Can you have periods if you have PCOs?
Generally, it's not good if you're not shedding your uterine lining each month. This can cause a build-up in the endometrial lining, increasing the risk of uterine cancer.
Can you take birth control every few months?
Keep in mind that this does not apply if you are taking a birth control pill, especially one designed to prevent you from getting your period more than once every few months. The pill keeps your hormone levels low and endometrial lining thin, dramatically reducing your risk of endometrial cancer.
Is irregular periods a symptom of PCOs?
Having irregular periods and no periods (amenorrhea) is a definite symptom of PCOS. 2 However, there are many things that can cause irregular periods, and PCOS is not the only one. Tetra Image / Getty Images.
Does metformin help with a normal cycle?
Some healthcare providers recommend oral contraceptives to balance out hormones and create a regular cycle. Although not indicated for this reason, metformin can also help some women to regulate their cycle. 4
What happens if you miss your period?
If you have missed a period, but know that you are not pregnant, then it is safe to assume that ovulation did not occur. This is referred to as anovulation or an anovulatory cycle. A word of caution here: anovulatory bleeding can happen in an anovulatory cycle.
How long does it take for a woman to get her period?
Your period should typically start 12 to 16 days after you have ovulated. Once ovulation has occurred, the status of the egg will determine whether you will get your period. If the egg is fertilized correctly and implanted, then there will be no bleeding although ovulation did occur. One of the most commonly asked questions amongst women who are ...
Why does jetlag affect menstrual cycle?
Jetlag and extensive travel also influence a woman’s menstrual cycle. This is because your sleeping and eating schedule are not properly synched, which harms your overall health.
What are the causes of ovulation?
Drugs and medications, such as steroidal oral contraceptives, can also negatively influence ovulation. Hormonal balances such as estrogen and progesterone imbalances, a malfunctioning corpulsteum, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemia are all possible causes.
Can you have a second amenorrhea if you missed your period?
A diagnosis of secondary amenorrhea can only be made if you have missed three periods. Reasons for secondary amenorrhea could be one or more of the following:
Is ovulation complex?
Ovulation is Complex. The answer to the question above is a complex one as many factors could influence a missed period. According to MedicineNet, the term doctors’ use for women who do not begin menstruating at all is primary amenorrhea.
What happens if your mom doesn't get her period?
If your mom didn’t get their period until they were 15 or older, chances are that being a late bloomer runs in your family. That may especially be true if your aunts, grandmothers, and cousins also started menstruating only after they were well into high school.
Why does my period come late?
Too Much Exercise. Pushing your body too hard physically also can make your first period come late. This can happen with ballet dancers, runners, or other athletes. Intense workouts burn lots of calories and can leave very little body fat.
How long does it take for a girl to get her period?
Girls tend to get their periods 2-3 years after their breasts start to develop and 6-12 months after they notice a mucus -like vaginal discharge in their underwear. All these milestones can happen later than average in some families, including yours. Still, your doctor may want to rule out other health problems.
When do girls start their period?
Girls usually get their first menstrual period when they’re 12 or 13. It’s a sign that your body is maturing, so that one day, if you want to, you should be able to have a baby.
Does weight affect your period?
If you weigh much less than normal, that can affect your hormone levels and prevent you from getting your period. If your weight is 10% less than what’s healthy for your height, it can keep your hormones from working right and actually stop your periods.
Can you take drugs to prevent your period?
Certain types of drugs can keep you from having a period, including those used to treat cancer, high blood pressure, allergies, and depression. If you’re taking any of them, your doctor may have explained that this could happen.
Can you have your first period if you are obese?
If you’re obese, you may not have your first period at the usual time, either. To set a monthly menstrual cycle, your body needs a normal range of fat levels. Too much or too little body fat can lead to delayed periods. Obesity for someone 5 feet, 2 inches tall starts at 155 pounds.
What is the best treatment for irregular periods?
There are multiple options for cycle control in patients with irregular periods.: Hormonal treatments such as birth control pills, NuvaRing and the orthoevera patch and cyclic Progesterone treatments help to normalize and regulate menstrual cycle.
Why does my ovary not release eggs?
An anovulatory cycle (your ovary just does not release an egg that month), thyroid conditions, rapid weight fluctuations, extreme exercise, stress, etc. Are all other causes that may be possible. If you are having sex unprotected, check pregnancy tests, otherwise if you miss your next one too, see dr. For eval.
How long after a pregnancy test can you repeat it?
Pregnancy : You want to rule out pregnancy first. Once you've done pregnancy test and and it's negative, you want to repeat it in 2 weeks.
What if you don't bleed after hormonal treatment?
For women who do not bleed after the combined hormonal regimen, the next step is either hysterosalpingography or hysteroscopy.
What causes no vaginal bleeding after a blood test?
If there is no vaginal bleeding after this test, then there could be one of three conditions: A low estrogen level, usually a hypothalamic-pituitary failure. Outflow tract obstruction: Scarring in the uterus or cervix. There are several ways to find out what's going on and the next step is to do an FSH blood test.
Why does my FSH bleed after estrogen?
If bleeding with a normal FSH occurs after estrogen/progesterone, then the amenorrhea is likely due to low estrogen. Some medications as well as extremes of weight loss, stress, or exercise can cause this type of secondary amenorrhea. A baseline CT (or MRI) could easily rule this out.
