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
Why Is My Period Late: 8 Possible Reasons
- Stress. Stress can throw off your hormones, change your daily routine, and even affect the part of your brain responsible for regulating your period — your hypothalamus.
- Low body weight. Women with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, may experience missed periods. ...
- Obesity. ...
What are the reasons for not getting your period?
However, not having a regular period can increase your risk of endometrial cancer. All females have some levels of androgens (male hormones like testosterone). During a normal menstrual cycle , the endometrium is exposed to hormones, like estrogen, which cause the lining to proliferate and thicken.
What are some reasons I missed my period?
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.
Why is not having a period considered bad?
Is not having a regular period bad for You?
Why am I not having periods I'm not pregnant?
Menstrual irregularities, such as missed or late periods, occur in 14–25% of women of childbearing age. They can result from a range of conditions besides pregnancy, including hormonal imbalances, hormonal birth control, stress, weight loss, trauma, and certain health conditions.
What to do if periods are not coming?
How to get regular periods naturallyPractice yoga. Yoga may be an effective treatment for different menstrual issues. ... Maintain a healthy weight. ... Exercise regularly. ... Spice things up with ginger. ... Add some cinnamon. ... Get your daily dose of vitamins for a healthy period. ... Drink apple cider vinegar daily. ... Eat pineapple.
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.
How much delay is normal in period?
If you don't have any known condition affecting your menstrual cycle, your period should start within 21 to 35 days of your last period, depending on your normal cycle. Regular periods can vary. If your regular cycle is 28 days and you still have not had your period on day 29, your period is officially considered late.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 if periods get delayed by 10 days?
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.
Can you miss your period for 2 months and not be pregnant?
Weight changes, hormonal irregularities, and menopause are among the most common causes if you're not pregnant. With these issues, 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.
Why is my period 200 days late?
Causes. If it's not because of pregnancy, then there's another reason for why you stopped having your period. The cause may be linked to your lifestyle and level of stress, or any medications you take. It also may be a sign of problems with reproductive organs or the glands that help control hormone levels.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 hormones are involved in ovulation?
Stress. Intense stress interrupts the production of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone ( GnRH)—a hormone that regulates ovulation and the menstrual cycle. 1. Both physical and psychological stress can cause a delayed period.
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.
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.
What happens if you are stressed?
A little stress in your life is fine, but chronic stress can throw your body out of balance. Stress activates the hormone cortisol and pushes your body into survival mode. If you are experiencing prolonged stress, your body can induce amenorrhea and will prevent menstruation.
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.
When do women stop having periods?
This is early menopause before the age of 40, and sometimes as early as the teens. The ovaries stop functioning. As women can no longer ovulate, they don’t have periods.
What can stop your menstrual cycle?
Any traumatic event, the death of a family member, divorce or traffic accident can stop your menstrual cycle. Even more minor events and happy occasions such as weddings and moving house can be enough to disrupt your cycle.
How many girls have primary amenorrhea?
You aren’t alone, as primary amenorrhea happens to 3 in every 1,000 girls. Reasons for primary amenorrhea are:
When does primary amenorrhea start?
Primary amenorrhea is when, as a teenage girl, your periods never start. Normally, menstruation can begin at any time between the 8 and 16 years old , with the average age in the United States being 12 years old.
How long does it take for a period to return after stopping contraceptive pills?
If you have recently stopped taking the contraceptive pill it could be up to three months before your period returns. If your period hasn’t returned after that time, you should see a doctor.
What to do if you're 17 and haven't started?
So if you’ve turned 17 and you haven’t started yet, you should go to the doctor for further investigations.
Can being ill stop your menstruation?
Being seriously ill can stop your menstruation as can some medications.
Why does my period feel irregular?
Chronic diseases such as diabetes and celiac disease also can affect your menstrual cycle. Changes in blood sugar are linked to hormonal changes, so even though it’s rare, poorly controlled diabetes could cause your period to be irregular.
Why is my period not every 28 days?
If your period doesn’t fall within these ranges, it could be because of one of the following reasons. 1. Stress.
What causes a male to produce more androgen?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes your body to produce more of the male hormone androgen. Cysts form on the ovaries as a result of this hormone imbalance. This can make ovulation irregular or stop it altogether.
How to know if you have a symtom?
If you have the following symptoms, contact a doctor right away: 1 unusually heavy bleeding 2 fever 3 severe pain 4 nausea and vomiting 5 bleeding that lasts longer than seven days 6 bleeding after you’ve already entered menopause and had not periods for a year
How long does it take for a period to change after taking birth control?
Birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, which prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs. It can take up to six months for your cycle to become consistent again after stopping the pill. Other types of contraceptives that are implanted or injected can cause missed periods as well.
What are the causes of a period?
1. Stress . Stress can throw off your hormones, change your daily routine, and even affect the part of your brain responsible for regulating your period — your hypothalamus. Over time, stress can lead to illness or sudden weight gain or loss, all of which can impact your cycle.
When is it normal for a woman's period to be irregular?
There are also two times in a woman’s life when it’s totally normal for her period to be irregular: when it first begins, and when menopause starts. As your body goes through the transition , your normal cycle can become irregular.
Why is my period not starting?
Primary amenorrhea is a condition in which a female older than 15 years of age has never had any period, i.e. her periods have not started yet. The reason can be genetic or due tocertain diseases.
Why do women have no period?
Prolactin, a female hormone, is secreted from mammary glands to produce milk for breastfeeding, which will suppress the process of ovulation. That's why breastfeeding women report the situation of no period without being pregnant.
How to regain normal menstrual flow?
You need to first identify the exact causes and then adapt specific treatment methods to regain the normal menstrual flow. For PCOS, hormonal therapy is indicated. Weight is advised to be gained in case the female has a very low weight. Maintain healthy diet and eat fresh so that the periods will come normal.
How many periods are there in a year?
No Period Not Pregnant. In a regular and healthy menstrual cycle a female generally has anywhere between 11 to 13 periods/ menstrual cycles each year. In a similar fashion, the average length of the period varies from three days to five days but sometimes can exceed to seven to ten days. A missed period is generally considered as an indicative ...
What causes no period and no pregnancy?
Chronic Disease. Any chronic conditions can affect your whole wellbeing. Without proper treatment, they will place a stress on the body, and lead to issues of no period not pregnant. For example, celiac disease is characterized by gluten intolerance.
How many periods are missed with birth control?
Two consecutive periods are missed with no significant reason. Two periods missed while using birth controlling pills without skipping pills. The periods have not started until 16 years old. No sign of pubic hair or not developed breasts is observed by the age of 14.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Symptoms of premature menopause can include hot flushes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, etc. when the female is under 40 years of age. Also termed as premature ovarian failure, no periods without being pregnant can also be an indication of this condition, and just consult your gynecologist timely. 7. Excessive Exercise.
What causes amenorrhea when you are not pregnant?
If you are not pregnant, amenorrhea can be caused by a wide variety of conditions and illnesses such as: ( Mayo Clinic) Hormonal imbalances including: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) . Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). A tumor on the pituitary gland.
What are the symptoms of secondary amenorrhea?
In addition, women with amenorrhea may experience other symptoms such as: Headaches. Hair loss. A milky discharge from the nipples. Pelvic pain. Development of or increase in facial hair. Changes in vision.
Does amenorrhea mean fertility?
Changes in vision. Acne. “It’s important to realize that amenorrhea does not automatically mean there is a problem. However, it could indicate fertility issues. It’s very important for it to be evaluated because there are so many possible causes.” said Dr. Joshua Hardison.
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 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 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 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.
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.
Why is there no menstruation during pregnancy?
Pregnancy: During pregnancy,hormone levels change, and the endometrium is not shed; therefore, there is a natural absence of menstruation. Stress: This may affect the function of the hypothalamus in regulating the menstrual cycle.
What is it called when you don't have a period?
The absence of menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. There are two types of amenorrhea (2):
What Is Amenorrhea In A Teen?
The absence of menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. There are two types of amenorrhea (2):
How old is a girl when she has her first period?
Menarche or the first menstrual cycle, begins at an average age of 12-13 years in most girls. By the age of 15, 98% of girls would have had menarche (1). If your teen girl does not have menstruation by this age or has missed periods for more than three months, you may seek medical attention. Read this post to know about ...
What is the absence of menstrual periods called?
The absence of menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. There are two types of amenorrhea (2): Primary amenorrhea: This refers to the absence of menarche by the age of 15 years. Secondary amenorrhea: This refers to the absence of menstrual periods for three months or more in otherwise healthy menstruating teens.
What are the complications of amenorrhea?
The possible complications of amenorrhea include (6): Infertility: Pregnancy can become difficult or not possible if missed periods are due to a lack of ovulation or specific structural abnormalities. Bone thinning : Missed periods may occur as a result of low levels of estrogen hormones.
What are the symptoms of polycystic ovarian disease?
Facial hair, hair loss, acne: These symptoms can be associated with polycystic ovarian disease and other hormonal imbalances. Morning sickness: Nausea and vomiting can often be seen in the case of pregnancy. These are signs and symptoms of conditions that may contribute to amenorrhea.
Causes
Absence of or missed menstruation after normal menstrual cycle.
Treatment
Risks
Results
Prevention
- If you're coping with an overwhelming situation or experiencing prolonged anxiety, with more than one missed period, talk to your doctor and get a referral for counseling to help you decide what to do about the issues that are causing you stress. Once your stress is back to a manageable level, it can sometimes take a few months or more for your cycles to become regular again. How your m…
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, …
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 …
Overview
- Hormonal contraceptives like Depo-Provera, progesterone-only MiniPill, Mirena IUD, and Nexplanon can also influence your cycle.
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.