Period FAQs

what does it mean if i miss my period

by Janie Blanda Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Missed or late periods happen for many reasons other than pregnancy. Common causes can range from hormonal imbalances to serious medical conditions. There are also two times when it's typical for your period to be irregular: when it first begins, and when the menopause transition starts.

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.

More items...

Related Conditions

  • Stress. You already know that stress can trigger a number of unpleasant side effects, like headaches, weight gain and acne, so it should come as no surprise that it can ...
  • Illness. ...
  • Weight. ...
  • Excessive exercise. ...
  • Change in schedule. ...
  • Breastfeeding. ...
  • Medication. ...
  • Hormonal imbalance. ...
  • Thyroid disorder. ...
  • Perimenopause. ...

What are the reasons for not getting your period?

There are several possible causes of delayed or missing periods:

  • stress
  • low or high body weight
  • polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • hormonal contraceptives
  • chronic conditions such as diabetes or celiac disease
  • thyroid issues
  • menopause
  • pregnancy

What can make you miss a period?

Why your periods might stop

  • Pregnancy. You might be pregnant if you're sexually active and your period is late. ...
  • Stress. ...
  • Sudden weight loss. ...
  • Being overweight. ...
  • Doing too much exercise. ...
  • Contraceptive pill. ...
  • Menopause. ...
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of harmless follicles, which are underdeveloped sacs in which eggs develop.

What could cause a missed period?

Why am I not getting my period?

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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.

Is it OK if you miss your period?

No period this month? Try not to freak out. It's normal miss a period once in a while. It could just be your body's response to stress or changes in your eating or exercise habits.

Is it possible to miss a period for a month?

Yes, you may have a missed period for many reasons other than pregnancy. The reasons why you miss your period for a month may include stress, low body weight, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), use of birth control, certain chronic diseases, early perimenopause, and thyroid issues.

How late is normal for a period?

The menstrual cycle, which is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next, isn't the same for every woman. Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common.

What symptoms do you have at 1 week pregnant?

Pregnancy symptoms in week 1nausea with or without vomiting.breast changes including tenderness, swelling, or tingling feeling, or noticeable blue veins.frequent urination.headache.raised basal body temperature.bloating in the belly or gas.mild pelvic cramping or discomfort without bleeding.tiredness or fatigue.More items...•

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.

When do pregnancy symptoms start?

Some women may begin noticing the first early signs of pregnancy a week or two after conception, while others will start to feel symptoms closer to four or five weeks after conception. Some women may not feel symptoms until their period is noticeably late, or even farther into pregnancy.

How can I make my period come?

Activities and lifestyle changesRelaxation. Stress can sometimes be the cause of a delayed or missed period. ... Warm compress or bath. A warm bath may help relax tight muscles and relieve emotional stress. ... Sex. ... Reducing exercise if you're an athlete. ... Birth control.

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.

Why haven't I got my period in 2 months but Im 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 to do if period is not coming?

There are a few measures you can take at home to help regulate your periods:Establish a regular routine.Eat a balanced diet.Get regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.Manage and reduce your stress.Take birth control as prescribed.

How can I make my period come?

Activities and lifestyle changesRelaxation. Stress can sometimes be the cause of a delayed or missed period. ... Warm compress or bath. A warm bath may help relax tight muscles and relieve emotional stress. ... Sex. ... Reducing exercise if you're an athlete. ... Birth control.

Can period be delayed by 10 days?

Can period be delayed by 10 days? Periods can get delayed by any number of days. If next cycle starts from 28 +/- 7 days from the first date of last menstrual cycle then it is considered a normal cycle. A delay of 10 days is not normal and may need evaluation.

How long can you miss your period?

You may miss a period for one or two months, or you may experience complete amenorrhea —that is, no period for three or more months in a row. This article explores 10 common reasons your period may be delayed. Verywell / Cindy Chung.

Why is my period unpredictable?

Changing schedules can throw off your body clock. If you frequently change work shifts from days to nights, or if your schedule is generally all over the place, your period can be fairly unpredictable. 6.

What is the period of transition between reproductive age and non-reproductive age?

Perimenopause is the period of transition between reproductive age to non-reproductive age. Your periods may be lighter, heavier, more frequent, or less frequent during this time. 10 In most cases, they'll just be different than what you're used to.

How long does a period last?

Recently Started Periods. A normal menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days in healthy women, but it can vary. This is especially true for young women who are just starting to get their periods, or for women who have not had periods for several years and are starting again.

What medications cause a period to be delayed?

Some medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, thyroid medications, anticonvulsants, and some chemotherapy medications, may cause your period to be absent or delayed. 4. Hormonal contraceptives like Depo-Provera, progesterone-only MiniPill, Mirena IUD, and Nexplanon can also influence your cycle.

Why is my period delayed?

Both physical and psychological stress can cause a delayed period. But the level of stress capable of causing this effect is usually more severe than having a bad hair day.

Does BMI affect your period?

Very high body mass index (BMI) is associated with missed periods, and weight loss can help regulate the menstrual cycle for women who are obese.

How to know if you have a period?

Visit your doctor if you notice the following symptoms: 1 You’ve missed your period three or more times in a year. 2 You get a period more frequently than every 21 days. 3 You get a period less frequently than every 35 days. 4 Bleeding lasts for more than seven days. 5 Bleeding is heavier than normal. 6 You have severe pain during your period. 7 You have a fever. 8 You have postmenopausal bleeding (bleeding after you have entered menopause and not had a period for one year).

How long does it take for a period to be delayed?

How much of a delay in periods is normal? You can calculate the length of your menstrual cycle by counting from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. Typically, menstrual cycles range from 21 to 35 days. If your periods are within this range, then there’s probably no cause for concern.

What age do you start menopause?

If symptoms of menopause start before the age of 40, it’s considered early perimenopause. Early perimenopause means that the supply of your eggs is declining. This can result in a missed period and eventually the end of menstruation.

How long does a woman's period last?

On average, most people get their periods every 28 days . But a healthy person’s menstrual cycle can last from 21 to 35 days. Apart from puberty, menopause, and pregnancy, a missed period may indicate a health issue.

How long does a bleed last?

Bleeding lasts for more than seven days.

What to do if you have a change in your period?

If you’re experiencing a change in the pattern of your regular periods, make sure to contact your health care provider.

Can a hormonal pill cause a missed period?

Other kinds of hormonal contraceptives that are injected or implanted can also cause missed periods. Chronic diseases: Certain chronic illnesses such as celiac disease and diabetes can also affect your period. Blood sugar changes can affect hormones, and poorly controlled diabetes can lead to irregular periods.

Can I Miss My Period For Two Months And Not Be Pregnant

Depending on the cause, yes. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, chronic diseases, and malnutrition can make you miss consecutive periods. Some oral contraceptives can also stop your periods. However, its always a good idea to take a pregnancy test in these cases.

Reasons For A Missed Period On Birth Control

There can be a number of reasons that a person can miss a period while on hormonal birth control.

Reasons Your Period Is Late When You Know Youre Not Pregnant

Have you ever had a late or missed period when you are certain you arent pregnant? It may cause you a moment of panic, but a late period is often caused by factors that have nothing to do with reproduction. If you have a late period and you are sure youre not pregnant, one of the following factors may be to blame.

Referral To A Specialist

If your GP thinks a medical condition might have caused your periods to stop, they may refer you to a specialist.

When To See Your Gp

See your GP if you’re not pregnant you’ve had a negative pregnancy test and you’ve missed more than 3 periods in a row.

Normal Cause Of A Missed Period During The First Year

Skipping periods is common during the first 1 to 2 years after they start. This is due to not releasing an egg each month.

What To Do If You Have A Missed Period For 2 Months

If you miss your period for 2 months in a row, you should connect with your doctor to see if everything is okay. You can also try a few things at home first:

What are the health problems associated with irregular menstruation?

Common health problems linked to weight and irregular menstruation include eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, and uncontrolled diabetes.

Why does amenorrhea occur when taking birth control?

A study on the effect of antipsychotics on menstruation found that amenorrhea occurred because prolactin levels were imbalanced. Additionally, some birth control medications, such as an IUD, implant or shot, may cease your periods while on them.

How to lower estrogen levels in women?

Increased exercise. Working exercise into your schedule on a daily basis is great, but excessive exercising could lead to lower levels of estrogen, which is the hormone that regulates the female reproductive process.

Is it normal to go without a period?

With the exception of missing your period while on some contraceptives, it is not normal to go without a period for several months and can be harmful to your health.

Is it normal to not have periods after a baby is born?

Your period may not make an appearance after your baby is born, but don’t be alarmed! If you are breastfeeding your little one, a lack of periods is completely normal. Referred to as lactational amenorrhea, this is a phase that disrupts the rhythm of your menstrual cycle.

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.

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:

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.

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Causes

Missing one or more menstrual periods.

Common Causes

Missed menstrual period is not always related to an underlying condition. It may be caused by:

  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause
  • Use of oral contraceptives
  • Certain medicines such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, allergy medications
  • Low body weight
  • Mental stress
  • Obesity
Related Conditions
Sometimes missed menstrual period may signify an underlying health condition. These conditions include:

Treatment

Risks

Results

Prevention

Effects

  • Extreme exercise can cause alterations in pituitary hormones and thyroid hormones, resulting in changes in ovulation and menstruation. Don't worry about exercise causing you to miss your cycle if you work out for one or two hours per day. It takes strenuous exercise for hours and hours every day to produces these hormonal changes. If you are planning on exercising for hours every day, …
See more on verywellhealth.com

Prognosis

  • Changing schedules can throw off your body clock. If you frequently change work shifts, going from days to nights, and particularly if your schedule is erratic, your period can be fairly unpredictable. Generally, changes in schedule shouldn't cause you to completely miss your period but can cause it to start earlier or later than expected. Your cycle can also change by a few days …
See more on verywellhealth.com

Overview

  • Hormonal contraceptives like Depo-Provera, progesterone-only MiniPill, Mirena IUD, and Nexplanon can also influence your cycle.
See more on verywellhealth.com

Diagnosis

  • Being severely underweight interferes with regular menstrual cycles as well. When the body lacks fat and other nutrients, it cannot produce hormones the way it should. Women with anorexia (very low food intake) or who burn far more calories with exercise than what they consume by eating may experience amenorrhea. Typically, weight gain will help your periods to return.
See more on verywellhealth.com

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