When To Call Your Healthcare Provider
Missing a period every once in a while is usually not cause for concern. That said, you should see a healthcare provider if you miss more than one period, or your missed period is accompanied by new or unusual symptoms.
Seek medical attention right away if you also experience any of the following:
- New or worsening headaches
No Period Not Pregnant What Can Be The Hidden Causes
1. Stress
It is common to experience amenorrhea after a stressful event in females. Such a condition is called hypothalamic amenorrhea. Hypothalamus is the part of brain which regulates the reproductive system it is also responsible for the release of hormones that participate in the pregnancy process.A hormonal disturbance caused by significant stress can result in amenorrhea in most cases.
2. Low Weight
Low body weight or extremely low caloric intake suppresses the activity of hypothalamus in which case hypothalamus does not release the required female hormone to buildthe uterine lining.Some conditions associated with weight loss such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa also causes a decline or an increase in estrogen levels, both resulting in abnormal periods or no periods.
3. Thyroid Disorder
Thyroid gland is responsible for the regulation of metabolism, reproduction, energy generation and maintenance of associated systems. If a person is suffering from thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism then a significant effect on the menstrual cycle is also observed in the form of amenorrhea.
4. PCO
Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by formation of small cysts in the ovary and associated areas. Some of the classic symptoms of PCOS include missed periods , fertility issues, weight loss, etc. The pathophysiology revolves around an imbalance in female reproductive hormones including estrogen, progesterone.
5. Birth Control
6. Premature Menopause
What You Can Expect
In your 40s — and maybe even in your late 30s — yo-yoing estrogen and progesterone can make periods unpredictable. They could come more frequently. Or they might happen less often. The flow might be very heavy or — preferably — very light. Sometimes, you’ll skip one or a few altogether. Other period symptoms, like cramps and crankiness, could become more intense. Or you may not get the telltale pain and moodiness that mean your period is on the way.
“Because it’s unpredictable, it can be very difficult for women because they don’t know exactly when it’s coming,” says JoAnn Pinkerton, MD, director of the Division of Midlife Health at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville.
Also Check: Tips For When Your On Your Period
No Period For Three Months: Is This Normal
Not having your period for three months or more is known as secondary amenorrhea. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Natural causes of an absence of menstruation for three months include perimenopause, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Certain lifestyle factors like stress and excessive exercise may also cause it. Furthermore, having either excessive or low body fat can also cause a missed period. Tumors on the pituitary gland or a hypoactive/hyperactive thyroid gland can also lead to hormonal imbalances and trigger secondary amenorrhea. Low levels of estrogen or high levels of testosterone can also result in a missed period.
Genetic disorders such as Swyer syndrome and Turner syndrome result in a lack of menstruation without proper hormone replacement therapy. Some people experience a missed period because of medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or chemotherapy drugs. You could also notice no period for three months or more if you have just stopped taking birth control pills.
Physical issues like problems in your reproductive organs could also cause delayed or missed periods.
What Is Intermenstrual Bleeding
It is bleeding that occurs before or after the period rather than being part of the cycle and is another common change to your body in your 40s. However, it is always prudent to rule out dysfunctional uterine bleeding. For instance, by booking a cervical smear to rule out cervical cancer. Or an ultrasound scan of the pelvis to check the womb for uterine cancer. These diagnoses are the very worst case scenario, but it is useful to know which symptoms are a cause for concern.
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Why Is My Period Late
The most common reason for a missed period is pregnancy. But what if you are not pregnant and your period is consistently late? What if you havent had a period for months or even for a full year?
If you still have periods, but they are consistently outside of the normal range, you may have an irregular menstrual cycle. If your periods have stopped completely, you may have amenorrhea, which is when menstruation is absent between puberty and menopause. Amenorrhea is not a disease. It doesnt mean that youre infertile. However, this condition can be a sign of health issues that require medical attention.
What is considered irregular?
What is considered irregular will vary based on your age. For teens, irregularity is outside of the range of 2145 days. Adults with irregular periods consistently have periods outside of the range of 2438 days. For adults, this may include cycles that vary in length by more than 79 days . Periods that suddenly stop for more than 90 consecutive days may be diagnosed as amenorrhea.
Exceptions are pregnancy, menopause and if youve recently stopped taking a hormonal birth control.
What causes irregular periods?
Causes for irregular periods include:
- Breastfeeding. For some women, their periods do not come back until after breastfeeding ends.
- Ovaries have stopped working before age 40
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
- Excessive weight gain or weight loss
- Too much exercise
Missed Period Reason #: Hormone Issue
A missed period can be major insight into whether your hormones are imbalanced, and the reason why comes down to why your period happens in the first place. After ovulation occurs, the follicle ruptures and releases an egg, and the rest of the follicle turns into the corpus luteum. This structure secretes progesterone, building up the uterine lining in preparation for implantation to occur. But, if implantation doesnt occur, then corpus luteum shrinks, progesterone levels drop, and uterine lining begins to shed aka your period.
So, if you have a missed period, then it could potentially signal a problem with hormones involved in ovulation or building up the uterine lining . Remember, if youve ovulated, then under healthy circumstances, either youll get your period or you wont get your period if youre pregnant. But, if you dont get your period, then it doesnt necessarily mean you ovulated. In fact, its possible to experience anovulatory cycles, or cycles without ovulation, and experience light bleeding or breakthrough bleeding.
When you track your cycle, make sure to record start of period because this is cycle day one and track your cycle length and frequency. Regular cycles are usually 21 35 days long. However, irregular cycles can be shorter or longer than that. If youre not sure if you have irregular cycles, cycle tracking can help you tell the difference between missed periods versus irregular periods.
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How Home Pregnancy Tests Work
At-home pregnancy tests work by testing a small sample of urine for hCGhuman chorionic gonadotrophin. hCG is the pregnancy hormone that is produced by the developing embryo and, later, by part of the placenta.
Measuring the hCG via home pregnancy tests is qualitative, which explains why the results are a plain yes/no or negative/positive.
Most Common Reasons For A Late Period And Negative Pregnancy Test
Dr. Stuart Spitalnic from Brown University asserts that “taking the test too early and not being pregnant are the main reasons for a negative test.”
If you take the test too early, then your hCG hormone levels are too low for the test to detect. Missing your period could mean that you ovulated later than usual.
Wait two weeks after your period is missed, andtake the test again for an accurate result.
“A very dilute urine is another cause,” says Dr. Spitalnic. Don’t drink too much water before taking the test. For best results, test the first pee in the morning.
Reasons for a negative pregnancy test and no period.
Recommended Reading: I Ve Been On My Period For 2 Weeks
Missed Periods During Perimenapause
Guest over a year ago
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Guest over a year ago
over a year ago
mae wrote:
ahh me too, i just turned 45 on August 3rd of this month, and i have So far skipped my period this month. Since last november it was coming a week early and bleeding for 10 days, now it just stopped. and i am really fustrated as i did not want to enter it at this age, but was hoping to at a later age in life like after 50. So now i will be aging faster as our period is what keeps us young and sexually active. Hello. I am a woman of 45 years and I believe I have entered a perimenapause. I know this because I am noticing changes in my behavior, and my mental ability like concentrating or remembering. Anyway I have been experiencing strange things about my period. Sometimes, I would miss a period, but sometimes I would experience a heavy period or even bleeding between periods. How common is this?
over a year ago
In reply to Guest on 2013-01-24 – click to read
Guest over a year ago
louise over a year ago
Hello, I am also soon to be 45,and for the last two years I have had irregular periods. I could be 10 days late,or I could have 2 periods in a rowand now for the first time I am a month lateI am pretty stressed out,everybody seems to say it’s premenapausalI hope so.My husband has had a vasectomy,and also had agressive chemotherapy for cancer,so the chances of being pregnant are extrememly rare,but just the same,very stressful.I’m hoping I’m stressed for nothing.Anybody else in this situation?
If You Are Having Very Difficult Symptoms Of Menopause Including Irregular Periods You Should Consider Some Changes To Your Lifestyle As Necessary
Please visit our Treatments page and Lifestyle pages for some information and inspiration on a wide variety of topics from Nutrition to Exercise, Sex and your changing home and wardrobe at midlife. Here at My Second Spring, we’re interested in chatting to you about all things midlife not just the pesky symptoms of menopause. We hope you’ll find lots of cool articles to read there and also on our blog.
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Menopause Symptoms At Age 40
For the vast majority of women, menopause symptoms dont start this early. If menopause happens before age 40, its called premature menopause. If it happens between age 40 and age 45, its known as early menopause. Fewer than 10 percent of women experience premature or early menopause.
But if youre in your early 40s and are regularly experiencing symptoms such as changes to your periods timing or flow, hot flashes, mood changes or sleep problems, dont ignore them. Talk with a womens health specialist.
A specialist like an OB-GYN or certified nurse-midwife can work with you to determine whether your symptoms are related to menopause, or another reason such as hormonal disorders or other health conditions.
What Should I Do If I Have Had Periods Which Have Now Stopped
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.
You should see 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 nine months but your periods have always been infrequent.
- You could be pregnant.
- You wish to become pregnant.
- You have hot flushes and are under the age of 45.
- You have lost weight or your BMI is 19 or less.
- You or someone close to you is concerned about your eating or weight.
- You have milk leaking from your breasts and are not breastfeeding.
- You feel unwell in yourself .
- You have not had a period for six months after stopping the contraceptive pill.
- You are worried about your lack of periods.
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Hot Flashes And Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are commonly associated with menopause, but they may also be early signs of pregnancy.
During a hot flash, youll feel a quick rush of heat that can cause you to sweat and your face to become red and flush. You may also sweat excessively during sleep, which can wake you up during the night and lead to fatigue.
Is It Common After Taking Plan B
People take Plan B to prevent pregnancy following sex without contraception.A person should take the medication within 72 hours of sex, as the efficacy of the drug decreases over time. It contains only levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the hormone progestin.
After taking Plan B, a person can expect to get their period at the usual time, but there may be a delay of up to 1 week.Also, some people experience spotting or bleeding between taking Plan B and getting their period.
It is important to note that Plan B is not 100% effective. If a person does not get their period within a week of taking the drug, it is probably a good idea to take a pregnancy test.
Read Also: Can You Have A Period Without Ovulating
You Are Pregnant With Twins Or Triplets
Carrying two or more babies causes a woman to produce very high levels of hCG and at-home pregnancy tests may not be able to detect it because there’s actually too much. This is known as the “high-dose hook effect.”
Dr. Gronowski explains that hCG tests work by forming a “sandwich” with two antibodies as the “bread” and the hCG molecule as the “meat.” When the hCG concentration is too high, it saturates both antibodies, and there are so many molecules that the antibodies can’t form a sandwich, resulting in a negative pregnancy result.
Some women report positive results after diluting their urine with water, however, a blood test at the doctor’s office is a better option for accuracy.
Im 6 Days Late And Yet With A Negative Test Why
Six days missed period and yet test negative may perhaps be puzzling. These are a few causes
- You wrongly calculated your next period date
- Late ovulation
- Stress
- You recently inserted an Intrauterine device
- You have polycystic ovaries
- You are more than 40 years with signs of perimenopause
However, your 6 days late period negative pregnancy test may still be due to pregnancy. This occurs due to low HCG levels in urine.
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