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?
What causes menstrual irregularities?
What does it mean when a woman doesn't have her period?
How to treat amenorrhea?
What is secondary amenorrhea?
What causes amenorrhea in women?
What are the two types of amenorrhea?
What causes late menstruation?
See 4 more
About this website
No Period by Age 15? 10 Possible Reasons for the Delay - WebMD
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.. By age 15, 98 ...
Missed Period for Three Months, Why? | New Health Advisor
The average length of a normal menstrual cycle is 21 to 35 days. It means most women usually have 11-13 menstrual cycles in a year. However, you may always experience changes to your menstrual cycle due to many factors.
Is it normal to miss a period?
There are several times in a person’s life when irregular periods are expected: when a person first starts having periods (puberty), during breastfeeding, and at the beginning of perimenopause (the transitional stage that precedes menopause). 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 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.
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.
How long does it take for a woman to get pregnant after stopping contraception?
But not every woman will need that long. “With the exception of the injection, which can take up to a year to wear off, your cycle should return to normal almost straight away when you stop taking contraception,” says Guillebaud. “In fact, it could even make you more fertile. A 2002 studyfound that ex-pill-takers were more likely to fall pregnant in the six months after coming off the pill than those who’ve never used it.”
How many women in Australia skip their period?
Sixty-three per cent of women in Australia now use contraceptives to manage their menstrual cycle, with one in five of those choosing to skip periods for several months at a time. Women's Health investigates what happens what happens to your body when you skip your period.
What happens if you skip your period?
What Happens To Your Body When You Skip Your Period. The number of women who are defying the laws of nature and deciding when to have their periods – if at all – is on the rise. Sixty-three per cent of women in Australia now use contraceptives to manage their menstrual cycle, with one in five of those choosing to skip periods for several months ...
Can you take a pill pack every day?
And if you don’t want to get pregnant just yet, running your pill packs together can actually make it more effective as a contraceptive. “All the time you take the pill, your ovaries are asleep, but in the seven days you stop taking it, your ovaries start to wake up again and begin ovulating,” explains Dickson. Taking it every day keeps your ovaries on snooze for weeks, if not months. You’re also less likely to forget to restart a pill pack and fall pregnant. Bateson agrees, but points out it’s still OK to take the break if you want to. “Some women prefer to have that bleeding, they might find it reassuring – and that’s their choice.”
Can you bleed on a contraceptive pill?
There’s also a misconception that regular bleeds on the contraceptive pill confirm you’re not expecting. “You can’t rely on that – in the same way you can’t even if you’re not on the pill, as some women have periods when they’re pregnant,” says Guthrie. “The absence of your withdrawal bleed could be either that you’re pregnant, ...
Does taking a pill cause depression?
Then there were last year’s headlines claiming that the pill has psychological as well as physical effects, upping depression by 23 per cent. “In a small minority it can lead to depression or severe mood changes,” according to Guillebaud. “But depression is very common, and what the study found was that out of every 123 pill-takers with depression, only 23 could truly blame their contraceptive. The other 100 would have expected to be diagnosed anyway.” Interesting.
Can you take a pill together to get pregnant?
And if you don’t want to get pregnant just yet, running your pill packs together can actually make it more effective as a contraceptive. “All the time you take the pill, your ovaries are asleep, but in the seven days you stop taking it, your ovaries start to wake up again and begin ovulating,” explains Dickson.
What part of the brain controls hormones that keep your menstrual cycle regular?
Mental stress: Stress can temporarily change how the hypothalamus works. 4 It's the part of your brain that controls hormones that keep your menstrual cycle regular.
What happens when you have low body weight?
Low body weight: This can interrupt the hormonal functions in your body, halting ovulation.
What are the symptoms of amenorrhea?
2 . Some of the signs or symptoms you may experience in addition to the absence of menstruation include: Milky nipple discharge. Hair loss. Headache.
What to do if you miss your period?
The treatment your healthcare provider recommends depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, contraceptives (the pill) or other hormone therapies can help. In other cases, different drugs or even surgery will be the better choice. It all depends on the reason for missed periods.
What tests are needed for amenorrhea?
Because there are so many possible causes of amenorrhea, multiple tests may be required, including: 1 Pregnancy test 2 Thyroid function test 3 Ovary function test 4 Prolactin test 5 Male hormone test 6 Hormone challenge test 7 One of a variety of imaging tests such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Can medications cause periods to stop?
Some medications can cause menstrual periods to stop. These include:
Does Verywell Health use peer reviewed sources?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
What is the butterfly shaped gland in your neck?
8. You have a thyroid condition. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones that help regulate many activities in your body, including your menstrual cycle. There are several common thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
What happens when stress levels peak?
When your stress level peaks, your brain tells your endocrine system to flood your body with hormones that switch on your fight-or-flight mode. These hormones suppress functions that aren’t essential to escaping an imminent threat, including those of your reproductive system.
What happens when your body is stressed?
1. You’re stressed out. Your body’s stress-response system is rooted in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. While you may no longer be running from predators, your body is still hard-wired to react as if you were. When your stress level peaks, your brain tells your endocrine system to flood your body with hormones ...
Why does my period come late?
Extreme increases or decreases in body fat can lead to a chaotic hormonal imbalance that causes your period to come late or stop entirely. In addition, severe calorie restriction affects the part of your brain that “talks” to your endocrine system, giving instructions for the production of reproductive hormones.
How long does it take to get your period back after you missed it?
Missing a period can be alarming, but there’s usually a simple explanation. Still, if your period hasn’t arrived for more than 40 days , it’s best to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to see what’s going on. Last medically reviewed on July 29, 2019.
How soon after your period should you take a pregnancy test?
You’re pregnant. If there’s a chance you may be pregnant and your cycles are typically regular, it may be time to take a pregnancy test. Try to do this about one week after your period was supposed to start. Taking a test too early can result in a false negative.
What happens if you miss your period?
Late or missed periods may be an early sign. You may also experience hot flashes, night sweats, and trouble sleeping.
What should I do if I have missed my period?
Don't panic! In most cases there is nothing serious going on. The most important thing to do is to do a pregnancy test if there is any chance at all you could be pregnant. If you otherwise feel well in yourself, and you are not pregnant, then the chances are your periods will start up again in due course.
Will I need any tests for a missed period?
If you go to see a doctor about your periods stopping, first of all the doctor will ask you some questions. For example, the doctor will want to know:
How are absent periods treated?
This depends on the cause. In many cases no treatment is needed. See the specific leaflets about the various causes for information on how each is treated.
How long does it take for a period to restart after stopping contraception?
When you have been on the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill or an injection form of contraception, it can take a while for your periods to restart once you stop the contraception. It can take a few months for your body's own cycle to restart and it can take several months before you have a period.
Why do women's bones weaken after menopause?
When the absent periods are combined with low levels of the female hormone oestrogen, there may be a risk of bones weakening. Oestrogen helps keep bones strong, and they start to weaken after menopause. If they become excessively weak and break (fracture) easily, this is called osteoporosis. This only applies to women who have not had a period for a long time (a year or more). It is particularly a risk for women whose periods have stopped due to early menopause, weight loss, anorexia nervosa or excessive exercise.
How long after stopping contraceptive pill do you have periods?
You feel unwell in yourself (for example, headaches, changes in your vision, have lost or gained weight). You have not had a period for six months after stopping the contraceptive pill. (Or 12 months after the last contraceptive injection.) You are worried about your lack of periods.
What is it called when you have a high prolactin level?
A condition where a hormone called prolactin is too high. This is called hyperprolactinaemia. The most common cause of this is a non-cancerous (benign) growth in the brain, called a prolactinoma. Conditions affecting a gland in your neck, called the thyroid gland.
What are the symptoms of PCOs?
PCOS is typically diagnosed when a woman has at least two of three characteristic symptoms: 1 High androgen levels 2 Irregular menstrual cycles 3 Ovarian cysts
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 ...
What are the symptoms of endometrial cancer?
Symptoms of endometrial cancer include pelvic pain, bleeding between periods, pain during intercourse, and a watery or blood-tinged discharge. As there are usually no other early warning signs, do not hesitate to see a doctor even if the symptoms are mild.
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 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 .
What are the signs of high androgen levels?
High androgen levels, like testosterone, or physical signs of high androgens, like excessive body hair
Does metformin cause cancer?
This can cause a build-up in the endometrial lining, increasing the risk of uterine cancer. Some doctors 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. 5 .
Does a Missed Period for 2 Months Mean I'm Pregnant?
When you are pregnant, your menstrual periods will stop. However, a missed period doesn't always mean you're pregnant. If you're wondering whether you might be pregnant, there are a few points that point to a possible pregnancy. These include:
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Other symptoms include hair loss, shaky hands, weight loss or gain, fatigue, and brain fog ( memory loss or trouble thinking clearly).
How many days does a woman have her period?
On average, women have a period every 28 days give or take a few days. A menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 21 to 35 days. If you have longer cycles closer to 35 days, you may only have around 11 cycles in a year and if you have shorter cycles, you may have as many as 13. It is possible due to other reasons to have late periods, including:
Why does my period stop?
This is because stress can cause the hypothalamus to stop producing hormones associated with the menstrual cycle. 3. Obesity or Extreme Weight Loss.
What is the name of the disorder that prevents ovulation?
6. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Also known as PCOS, This hormonal disorder prevents ovulation and may even prevent a regular monthly period. Other symptoms of this disorder include elevated blood sugar, obesity in some women, excess body hair growth and infertility.
How do you know if you're pregnant?
The only way to truly know if you're pregnant is a positive pregnancy test and confirmation by a doctor. However, there are a few signs that may give clues to a possible pregnancy. If a missed period for 2 months is due to pregnancy, you'll start feeling the symptoms below around the four-week mark.
How long after a period can you have a period?
3. Call Your Doctor. If you don't have a period after two or three months, you need to call your doctor. Going longer than two months is abnormal and you will need to be evaluated. The doctor will diagnose the cause and you may need medical treatment.
What causes amenorrhea in women?
Prolonged amenorrhea increases a woman's risk for endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer, or cancer within the uterus.
What happens if a woman has not had a period for six months?
If a woman of childbearing age has not had a period for six months, a pregnancy test is warranted. (AHRQ,ref 3) Other physiologic causes include lactation, especially in the first six months after birth. Menopausal women will become amenorrheic over time 3.
Can menopause cause amenorrhea?
Menopausal women will become amenorrheic over time 3. It is important to note if a woman is experiencing other symptoms that indicate menopause, such as hot flashes. (FP notebook 1) A primary physiologic cause of amenorrhea is pregnancy.
Can birth control cause amenorrhea?
Certain birth control pills, such as progesterone only birth control pills, can cause amenorrhea. In addition, continuous cycling of combined oral contraceptive pills can cause a woman to skip periods for six months or longer, depending on if she opts to not take the placebo pills. Many contraceptives can cause amenorrhea.
Can bromocriptine cause twins?
Bromocriptine as a Cause of Twins. Learn More. In addition to hormonal aberrations that cause amenorrhea, other pathological causes include anorexia cervical stenosis, and endometritis. If a woman is significantly underweight or overweight, she may miss her periods.
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 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.
How to treat amenorrhea?
Treatment for amenorrhea varies depending on the underlying cause. Hormonal imbalances can be treated with supplemental or synthetic hormones, which can help normalize hormone levels.
What is secondary amenorrhea?
Secondary amenorrhea is when a woman has stopped menstruating for at least three months. This is the more common form of amenorrhea.
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 are the two types of amenorrhea?
The two types of amenorrhea are referred to as primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea is when a teenage girl has reached or passed the age of 16 and still hasn’t had her first period. Most girls begin menstruating between ages 9 and 18, but 12 is the average age. Secondary amenorrhea is when a woman has stopped menstruating for ...
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.
