Youve Lost Or Gained Weight
Severe changes in body weight can lead to a condition known as secondary amenorrhea, which means missing your period for three months or more. This is particularly common when your BMI undergoes a rapid change.
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. When this communication channel is disrupted, hormones can get really out of whack.
Causes Of A Missed Period
Often there is nothing to worry about when periods stop, and no serious cause. There are certain times when it is normal not to have periods. These include:
- Before puberty. Girls start to go through puberty from around the age of 9 years and their periods start a year or two later. Up until that point girls do not have periods.
- During pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your periods will normally stop until after the baby is born.
- During breastfeeding. If you are fully breastfeeding, you will normally not have a period until you stop. You may find you have a bleed if you drop a feed, or start to breastfeed less.
- After menopause. The menopause is the time in your life when your ovaries stop producing eggs and you stop having periods. The average menopause is around the age of 51. You will be classed as having gone through the menopause a year after your last period. However, it is extremely common for your periods to become less regular in the years leading up to the menopause. See the separate leaflet called Menopause for more details.
- If you are using certain types of contraception. Some types of contraception may stop periods. They do not do so in all women however, it is normal not to have periods if you are using:
Reasons For A Missed Period
Pregnancy is by far the most common cause of a missed period, but there are some other medical and lifestyle factors that can affect your menstrual cycle. Extreme weight loss, hormonal irregularities, and menopause are among the most common causes if you’re not pregnant.
You may miss a period for one or two months, or you may experience complete amenorrheathat 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
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When To See The Doctor
It is advised to get a medical consultation after your teens first period itself. If your teen has irregular periods or missed periods, make an appointment with a gynecologist to identify the cause and take preventive measures if required.
If your teen has any symptoms of thyroid disorders, eating disorders, or stress, seek medical care. You may take a doctors advice regarding nutrition and exercises if your teen is an athlete.
If your teen is pregnant, you may seek medical care for the evaluationof both the mother and baby. An early prenatal visit could help reduce the risk of complications associated with teen pregnancy and delivery.
Q When Should I Call A Doctor About My Perimenopausal Symptoms
If you have not had a period for 12 months and then experience vaginal bleeding, contact your doctor. It is not normal for bleeding to recur after this period of time. Read our article about when you should see your OBGYN.
Remember, perimenopause and menopause are natural and normal transitions, but they can be stressful. Many symptoms can be managed which can help you regain a sense of control, well-being, and confidence to thrive in your next stage of life.
We want you to feel supported, heard, and cared for as you go through this change.
Sometimes, the biggest help is simply confirmation that what youre experiencing is normal!
Dr. Ashley Durward has been providing healthcare to women in Madison since 2015 and joined Madison Womens Health in 2019, specializing in high and low risk obstetrics, contraception and preconception counseling, management of abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic floor disorders, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
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When To See A Doctor
Girls should see a doctor within a few weeks if
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They have no signs of puberty by age 13.
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Periods have not started by age 15 in girls who are growing normally and have developed secondary sexual characteristics.
Such girls may have primary amenorrhea.
If girls or women of childbearing age have had menstrual periods that have stopped, they should see a doctor if they have
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Missed 3 menstrual periods
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Fewer than 9 periods a year
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A sudden change in the pattern of periods
Such women may have secondary amenorrhea. Doctors always do a pregnancy test when they evaluate women for secondary amenorrhea. Women may wish to do a home pregnancy test before they see the doctor.
Youre In Early Menopause
Early menopause, also known as premature ovarian failure, happens when your ovaries stop working before you turn 40.
When your ovaries arent working the way they should, they dont produce enough estrogen. As estrogen levels drop to all-time lows, you will begin to experience the symptoms of menopause.
Late or missed periods may be an early sign. You may also experience hot flashes, night sweats, and trouble sleeping.
Other signs of premature ovarian failure include:
- vaginal dryness
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Producing Too Much Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that the body usually makes during breastfeeding. It can halt menstruation and is the reason why most breastfeeding women do not have periods.
In people who are not breastfeeding, a milky discharge from the nipples can signify that the body is making an abnormally high amount of prolactin. Doctors can treat excessive prolactin production with medication.
How Birth Control Affects Your Cycle
Even if you’ve been taking birth control pills for years, it’s not likely that you’ll have trouble conceiving once you stop taking them. But it might take a few months for things to return to normal.
“The time it takes for a woman’s menstrual cycle to regulate will vary depending on the reason she went on hormonal birth control, along with any other underlying health issues that were masked by hormonal birth control or developed during use and aging,” says Tsao-Lin E. Moy, a fertility specialist who uses natural and integrative forms of medicine. “In a healthy woman the cycle can return pretty quickly, often within 3 to 6 cycles. But hormonal side effects may take longer to clear out of the system.”
On the other hand, if you had an underlying medical condition that was causing irregular cycles, like PCOS, hypothyroidism, or endometriosis, you can be sure that those conditions will rear their ugly heads again as soon as you stop taking birth control.
Using a hormonal method of birth control to regulate irregular periods doesnt solve an underlying hormonal imbalance,” says Dr. Camaryn Chrisman Robbins with Washington University Women & Infants Center. “But it can lead to improved quality of life by regulating cycles and promoting endometrial health. When someone stops using hormonal medication, it is likely those original symptoms will resume.
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Two Months Without Having Period Why
In most cases, a missed period for 2 months would most likely mean you are pregnant, but that isn’t always the case. Your period being late or even missed can be due to a number of reasons. No matter what, it will inevitably make you a little nervous. This article will help you understand the different reasons that may make you miss your period. There are also some helpful tips you can try to get your cycles regulated again. You should always consult your doctor to make sure you aren’t pregnant and rule out any other serious health conditions before trying any home remedies.
How Late Can A Period Be
A typical menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but depending on the woman, a healthy cycle can be a short as 21 or as long as 35 days. Track your period over several months to look for cycle patterns and changes . This will help you figure out what a normal menstrual cycle usually looks like for you.
A period is usually considered late if it hasnt started within seven days of when you expect it .
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What To Do If You Miss Your Period
If you miss your period, you should wait at first. Give it a few days to make sure you didn’t miscalculate or do something to mix up the dates or that you aren’t simply late. Many practitioners at this point, may recommend a pregnancy test.
You can take a pregnancy test at home or your can go into your doctor’s office. If it’s positive, you have your answer: You missed your period because you were pregnant. If it is negative, you may want to wait a bit and try again.
Seeing your doctor if you are worried is never a bad option. If you are planning to get pregnant soon, you can use the visit to start your preconception health plan. This is a great way to get your body on track to be pregnant. This helps you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.
If you are not ready to be pregnant, they can help you determine what your reproductive life plan may look like to stay healthy and avoid pregnancy until the point where you make a decision to have children or permanently decide to not have children.
Irregular Periods In Your 40s Is It Perimenopause Or Something Else
If youre in your mid- to late 40s and your periods are becoming irregular, you may be in the menopausal transition, or perimenopause. This is the natural stage your body goes through as you approach menopause.
This stage lasts about four years on average, although some women may experience only a few months or many more years of symptoms. It is characterized by fluctuations in hormones as your ovaries are nearly out of eggs. Your estrogen levels drop and you may have markedly irregular menstrual cycles. On top of irregular periods, hormonal changes can lead to weight gain, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and depression.
Perimenopause ends with menopause, at which point you have not had a period for 12 months.
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What To Do When Your Period Is Late
If your period is more than a week late and you got a negative pregnancy test, you may want to schedule an appointment with your health care provider to be safe. Your doctor can do a blood test to confirm that youre not pregnant.
If the blood test is also negative and your practitioner rules out any other possible concerns, its fine to sit back and go with the flow . Every woman skips a period now and then, especially if shes under stress or has been sick. Relax and do what you can to ease anxiety by eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Natural Ways To Regulate Your Menstrual Cycle
Although irregularities are normal, you may want to get yourself back into balance. This will help you with natural birth control or with trying for another baby.
Luckily, there are natural ways to regulate your menstrual cycle. Check out this post for everything you need to know about increasing your fertility and your chances of conception.
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Reasons Your Period Is Late
During your usual morning routine, you open your cabinet, spot a box of tampons in the back, and you suddenly realize youre late. When was my last period? you think as you try to remember the last time you needed to reach for that box. Panic then takes over as your mind shoots straight to pregnancy.
While being pregnant is a possible reason for a missed period, there may be factors related to your health or lifestyle that are causing the delay, notes Shelley White-Corey, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A& M Health Science Center College of Nursing and a womens health nurse practitioner.
Breastfeeding
Your period may not make an appearance after your baby is born, but dont 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. After a few months, your monthly period should be right back on track.
Weight loss or weight gain
Whether youre overweight or underweight, any change in pounds can affect your monthly cycle. Common health problems linked to weight and irregular menstruation include eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, and uncontrolled diabetes. If you suspect this might be an issue for you, see your health care provider right away.
Increased exercise
Stress
Sleep schedule changes
Medication
Thyroid dysfunction
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Perimenopause
Suzannah Smith
Related Questions Answered On Yanswers
- Is it normal to miss your period for 3 months?
- Q: My girlfriend has missed her period for about 3 months. Is this irregular? Is there a way to make her period come soon? No we are not sexually active. She is 14.
- A: Normal? Well the depends. Is you, and your girlfriend sexually active? Is so then she could be pregnant. How old is your girlfriend? Is she is a teen, younger then 21 then yes it is normal. It can take years for a girls cycle to regulate. If none of these apply to your girlfriend, then I suggest taking her to a doctor. Hope everything works out.
- Is it Normal to miss a period after 3 months?
- Q: is it normal to miss a period for the 4 month,after having safe sex with a condom 3 months back and having 3 normal continous periods. i.m running late by almost 15days..i am worried if i am pregnantalso is it normal to miss a period by 15 days, missing periods for how many days is considered abnormal my date was 14th aug..also how soon can i expect my periods if i am not pregnant
- A: Doesnt seem like you would be pregnant but the safest way to find out is go get a pregnancy test from your closest covient store.Good luck
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