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.
How Long Do You Wait After A Missed Period To Take A Pregnancy Test
Most pregnancy tests claim they can give you an accurate reading as early as the first day of a missed period, and sometimes before. If you really want to be sure, its always better to wait one week after your missed period. Check out this post for everything you need to know about taking a pregnancy test.
When To Visit The Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you can’t pinpoint the reasons for a late period they may want to check for various conditions. It’s also important to note that vaginal bleeding after a late period may not be the monthly visitor you were expecting. “Anybody who experiences heavy bleeding and pain after a missed period and/or a positive pregnancy test should go to the doctor,” says Dr. McDonald. “All bleeding is not a period, especially in a setting where something is off.”
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Warm Compress Or Bath
A warm bath can do wonders for relaxing tight muscles and relieving emotional stress. Perhaps this is the reason for anecdotal reports that this can help to bring on your period.
Try adding some relaxing scented oil to a bath for added effect. You could also try using a warm compress such as a hot water bottle by applying it to the abdomen.
The heat isnt only relaxing. It may also increase blood flow to the area, thus gently accelerating the menstrual cycle.
You Got New Roommates
It may be a funny urban myth, but some experts say that moving in with a new group of girls can cause your period to become irregular in an attempt to sync up with the group. “I’ve heard of young college girls saying this happens to them,” says Dr. Goist. Though studies are definitely mixed some say it happens, others call BS. So we don’t totally know for sure. But think about it a little harder and you may find your lack of period is actually stress-related especially if you’re having roomie issues.
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Missed Period And Negative Pregnancy Test
It is possible to get a negative result on a pregnancy test even if you are pregnant. The following reasons may be why the test is negative.
- If youve tested too early and your levels of pregnancy hormones may be too low. If the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in your urine are not high enough then the test might not pick it up and return a positive result. If you are experiencing early pregnancy signs like nausea, tiredness or tender breasts wait a few days and try again.
- If you dont follow the test instructions properly. Take care to read and follow the instructions that come with your test.
- If the test is very old and has expired.
- If the test has not been stored properly.
- In the rare instance that you have an ectopic pregnancy that does not produce a positive result on a pregnancy test. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus and it can be life-threatening. See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms like pain in your lower abdomen, dizziness, bleeding, spotting, and nausea and vomiting.
If your period is very late or youve missed it altogether and you still have a negative result, then its unlikely that you would be pregnant.
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Missed Period Reason #: Pcos
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a reproductive condition that can result in irregular or missed periods. However, missed periods dont necessarily mean PCOS. In fact, have two of the three following symptoms can indicate this condition is present:
In addition to missed periods, here are additional symptoms women may notice:
- Hirsutism, or excess hair growth in unexpected places like face, bac, thumbs, toes, chest, and abdomen.
- Hair loss
- Sleep problems
- Headaches
While there is no cure for PCOS, the good news is that PCOS can be managed with lifestyle changes and hormone interventions, and you can talk to your doctor about which option is right for you.
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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.
If you’re sexually active and you have not taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one.
They may also ask you about:
- your medical history
- any emotional issues you’re having
- any recent changes in your weight
- the amount of exercise you do
Your GP may recommend waiting to see whether your periods return on their own. In some cases you may need treatment for your periods to return.
You should also see your GP if your periods stop before you’re 45 or if you’re still bleeding when you’re over 55.
Is It Possible To Miss Period For A Month
It is possible to miss your period for months. The right question is: What causes missed period for months? The commonest cause is pregnancy. If you are pregnant, you will not see your period coming out. Birth control pills, drugs, premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovaries and stress can also make you miss period for months.
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What Is A Late Period
If your period is late or youre wondering if youre pregnant, the days can tick by rather slowly. How long do you have to wait before taking a pregnancy test? The instructions on home pregnancy tests often talk about your missed period. What do they mean?
In the world of pregnancy testing, a missed period means you expected your menstrual bleeding to have started yesterday, and it still has not started. The day of your expected period depends on what your normal menstrual cycle looks like and when your last period started.
The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of your period to the day before your next period starts. The average cycle is 28 days, with a pattern that looks something like this:
Some womens menstrual cycles last the same number of days every month. These women can accurately predict the day their period will start. Other women have a menstrual cycle that is a little different each month. Your period is still considered regular as long as it comes every 24 to 38 days.
You’ve Been On The Pill For A While
Don’t worry if your period becomes barely-there-light or disappears altogether. With some low-dose estrogen pills and the IUD Mirena, the endometrial lining doesn’t build up, so there’s not much lining to shed, explains Dr. Goist. “Sometimes women on these pills don’t menstruate monthly or at all,” she says. So relax, it’s completely safe.
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Are There Any Cure For Delayed Period
If you have a delayed period, then it may not mean you are pregnant. Your delayed period if dues to stress and exercise can be treated with basic lifestyle changes. Also, delayed period due to PCOS can be treated with losing weight, metformin, and oral contraceptive.
In addition, home made therapy can help cure your delayed period. Use of garlic and honey can help regulate your cycle.
Okay Maybe You’re Pregnant
Even if you are on reliable birth control and have been ~careful~, this should be your first instinct if your period is late or missing entirely. “The first three things to check for are pregnancy, pregnancy, pregnancy, this is the number-one thing I look for when you miss your periodeven if you don’t think you could be,” says Dr. Dweck. Plus, because early pregnancy symptoms can be so similar to PMS-y ones , it can be tough to tell the difference. Since it’s probably the first thing your ob-gyn office will inquire about, if you’ve been sexually active, go ahead and take an at-home pregnancy test to be sure.
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Reason : Pituitary Tumor
Your pituitary gland is the size of a pea and is situated in the bony hollow just behind the bridge of your nose. Sometimes, a tumor or growth develops behind the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma.
A prolactinoma secretes a hormone called prolactin. Before menopause, high prolactin levels cause a late period. It can also cause abnormal breast milk production without breastfeeding.
In a study of patients with prolactinoma studied over four years, 77.5% had irregular or late periods, with periods more than seven days late. There are two categories of prolactinoma: micro prolactinoma and macroprolactinoma . In this study, macroprolactinoma were the causes of late periods more than micro prolactima
Symptoms of a pituitary tumor
- Menstrual changes
- Osteoporosis
What to Do
Prolactinoma can be found when a blood test for high levels of prolactin. It can also be found by conducting an imaging test. A magnetic resonance imaging scan is the preferred imaging test, although a computed tomography scan is also possible.
Prolactin excess in the blood is treatable with dopamine agonist therapy. It can also be treated with 5mg of cabergoline per day. In one study on 58 patients, cabergoline restored normal menstruation to 91% of the patients with micro prolactinoma, and 64% of those with macroprolactinoma. In patients whose menstruation cycles were not restored to normal, it was discovered that they had outstanding issues, including PCOS and hypothyroidism.
Why Did I Have No Period For 2 Months
If you have no signs of pregnancy with no period for two months, then it could be due to stress, perimenopause, and other causes. This article explains the reasons for no period for 2 months with white discharge and when you should worry. If you have no period for 2 months, then these are the possible causes 1. Pregnancy
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Something Is Off With Your Thyroid
This gland in your neck regulates your metabolism, produces hormones, controls your body temp, and more. You want it to be on point. When it’s over, or underactive, it may stop ovulation, prompting an irregular period, and possibly impair fertility, according to a new study in The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. If your doctor suspects this could be the cause she’ll run a simple blood test and probably prescribe a medication. “With the right treatment, your period should go back to normal within a few months,” says Dr. Goist.
False Negative Pregnancy Test
A false negative pregnancy test is when you are pregnant but the test comes up negative. The most common reason for a false negative is that you took the test too early. Even if your period is late according to your typical cycle, you might have ovulated later in the month. It’s not uncommon to occasionally have an off or irregular cycle. Additionally, your count of when your last period occurred could be a few days off.
No matter how sensitive the test, you won’t get a positive home pregnancy test until enough days have passed since ovulation and conception and your body has had time to build up enough of the hormone the test detects.
If ovulation occurred later in the month, you will need to test later. There are many reasons you might ovulate later than you typically do.
Pregnancy tests look for the pregnancy hormone hCG, which increases as a pregnancy progresses. The normal range for hCG levels in pregnant people can vary widely. It’s possible that your levels arent yet high enough to be detected .
An early pregnancy test might pick up very low amounts of hCG. However, its possible that you dont have enough circulating hCG to get a positive result even on a sensitive test.
This doesnt mean anything is wrong. How much hCG you have isn’t important rather, it’s how quickly your levels double and increase .
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Diabetes And Thyroid Disease
Jay M. Berman, M.D., FACOG, chief of gynecological services at Detroit Medical Centers Harper Hutzel Hospital and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Wayne State University, says other issues such as diabetes and thyroid disease may be to blame. Many women will, for various reasons, occasionally not ovulate and this can cause an early or delayed menses, he says. Depending on her history, it may require further testing to determine the cause.
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I Got A Negative Result What Should I Do Next
If youre still not sure about the result, you wait until the day of your expected period to test, or test again in three days time if youve missed your period, with a pregnancy test from a reliable brand and follow the instructions carefully. You can also go to your doctor if you have doubts. You may get tested at the clinic or your doctor may recommend another brand of test to use.
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Reason : Recently Started Periods
Women who have not had a period due to contraceptive use, hormonal therapy, or illness might not resume having a regular period every month right away or it may cause very late periods.
To prevent late periods, here are some statistics when you stop contraceptive use and start ovulating, as determined in a study of 7,000 women:
- 1% of women who stop taking the pill have a delayed period for longer than 6 months.
- Pregnancies are slower to occur in the first 3 months after stopping contraception, for up to 24.8% of oral contraception users.
Several studies assessed whether oral contraceptives deplete certain nutrients. The outcome is that they do. Key nutrient deficiencies are folic acid, vitamins B2, B6 and B12, vitamins C and E, and the minerals magnesium, zinc, and selenium, all of which can be the cause of your late period.
Symptoms of recently started/re-started periods
- Late periods
- Spotting between periods
What to Do
Doctors who restore a regular menstrual cycle after years of birth control suggest several things. First, replenish nutrients. Make sure that you eat well-balanced meals and consider taking a supplement to restore some of the nutrients lost.