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
One of the most common questions I hear from patients is whether or not it is safe to not have periods. Most women are so accustomed to their menstrual cycle that the notion of not having a monthly period feels strange and unnatural. However, the reality is that not having a period can be perfectly safe in certain situations.
What are the reasons for not having 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.
Is not having a regular period bad for You?
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. If you’re experiencing a change in the pattern of your regular periods, make sure to contact your health care provider.
Why am I not getting my period?
What can cause a missed period?
Can someone never get their period?
If you have amenorrhea, you never get your period. Although it's not a disease, you should tell your doctor about it because it might be a symptom of a medical condition that can be treated.
What happens if no period for a year?
Menopause happens when you have gone 12 months in a row without a period. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52.
Can I have a period without blood?
Is it possible to have a period without blood? It's possible, but rare. You can ovulate and not have a period, and you can also have a period without ovulating, says Dr. Bhuyan.
What age period stops?
Overview. Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.
How can I get my period back after a year?
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.
Can you get pregnant without period for 2 years?
Even if you don't have periods, you could still get pregnant. You may not know what caused your periods to stop. Possible causes include pregnancy, hormonal changes, and losing or gaining a lot of weight quickly. Some medicines and stress could also cause it.
Is it normal to go 6 months without a period during perimenopause?
The average length of perimenopause is about four years. Some people may only be in this stage for a few months, while others will be in this transition phase for more than four years. If you've gone more than 12 months without having a period, you are no longer in perimenopause.
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.
Why is there a week of placebos?
Which is why a week of placebos was built in to simulate a period. John Rocks, a developer of the birth control pill and a Catholic, “thought if women had a period, the Pope would buy it," explains Berlin. "That's the only reason it's there.". Advertisement.
Why are birth control pills built?
More specifically, developers of the birth control pill felt it would be an easier sell to the public —and more importantly the Catholic Church—if contraception felt "natural." Which is why a week of placebos was built in to simulate a period. John Rocks, a developer of the birth control pill and a Catholic, “thought if women had a period, the Pope would buy it," explains Berlin. "That's the only reason it's there."
Can you take birth control for 4 weeks?
In fact, says Petra Casey, an OBGYN and the Mayo Clinic's expert on birth control, there's more of an argument to be made for not taking the placebo week of pills and continuing straight onto the next pack. This trick can also be done using the birth control ring for four weeks instead of three, or with certain extended cycle pills. Some women who use devices like implants or hormonal IUDs may also experience fewer periods as well.
Do you have to have a period if you are on birth control?
So I decided to ask some OBGYNs, and guess what? Every single one I spoke to said there’s no medically necessary reason to have a period if a woman is on hormonal birth control—but that many women simply don't know that.
Do women want periods?
It’s simple. "Some women want to have periods," Casey says. "They want to be sure they’re not pregnant."
Does birth control build up uterine lining?
A woman on hormonal birth control doesn't actually build up a uterine lining. The pill controls the flow of progesterone and estrogen, and “overrides what your body would normally do," says Michelle Berlin, an OBGYN and co-director of the Center for Women's Health at Oregon Health & Science University. The "period" you get while on the pill is simply due to a change in level of or lack of hormones during the control week; it’s not a true period.
What is it called when you don't get your period?
What Is Amenorrhea ? Amenorrhea is when you aren’t getting your periods even though you’ve been through puberty, aren’t pregnant, and haven’t gone through menopause. It’s not about having irregular periods. If you have amenorrhea, you never get your period.
What does it mean when you don't take estrogen?
If you don’t, this can mean that a lack of estrogen is behind your amenorrhea.
What causes amenorrhea in women?
Common causes of secondary amenorrhea (when someone who has had normal periods stops getting them) include: 1 Pregnancy 2 Breastfeeding 3 Stopping the use of birth control 4 Menopause 5 Some birth control methods, such as Depo-Provera or certain types of intrauterine devices (IUDs)
How long does amenorrhea last?
Secondary amenorrhea. This is when you have had normal menstrual cycles, but they stop for 3 or more months.
Can you stop menstruating after having your ovaries removed?
If you've had your uterus or ovaries removed, you will also stop menstruating. Amenorrhea Diagnosis. Because many things can cause amenorrhea, it may take time to find the exact cause. Your doctor will first take your medical history and give you a physical and pelvic exam.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
What does it mean when you have no period?
Amenorrhea, pronounced “a-men-or-re ah” means absent or no menstrual periods. If you haven’t had your period yet or you’ve missed a few periods, you’re probably wondering what’s going on with your body.
Why do girls have irregular periods?
Chronic illness – Girls who have a chronic illness such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle disease, lupus, diabetes, and others may have irregular menstrual periods or amenorrhea because of low weight, stress, or a flare in their illness.
What causes amenorrhea in women?
Stress, weight problems, excess exercise, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and pregnancy commonly cause amenorrhea. Almost all girls should have their first period by age 15 (or 2-3 years after starting breast development). Amenorrhea, pronounced “a-men-or-re ah” means absent or no menstrual periods.
Why do my ovaries not make enough estrogen?
Ovary problems – Sometimes the ovaries do not make enough estrogen to cause periods because of a genetic problem such as Turner syndrome, previous radiation or chemotherapy to treat a tumor, lack of enough follicles in the ovary for the teen and adult years, and many other reasons.
Why do girls have amenorrhea?
This can be due to low weight, weight loss, or stress. Even an athlete whose weight is normal may not be taking in enough nutrition to keep her body healthy and may skip periods.
When do women get their periods?
Almost all girls get their periods between 9 and 15 years old or about 2 to 3 years after they notice that their breasts are developing. Secondary amenorrhea is a term used when a young woman has had a period before, but stops having them.
Do birth control pills cause periods to skip?
Birth control (intrauterine devices (IUDs), implant, depot shot, continuous pills – Some birth control methods make you more likely to have no periods or skip periods. This is a normal side effect of these medications (and is why some women prefer these types of birth control).
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.
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 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.
