Stress, illness, medications, pcos, breastfeeding, ectopic pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause, changes in weight, prolactin, uterine fibroids, change in schedule, exercise, recently began periods, eating disorders and thyroid problems are some of the reasons for missed period.
Pregnancy test is the first thing we all do when we miss a period. After all, what else apart from that can lead to this condition? But there are cases when we have missed our period and the pregnancy test also turns out to be negative. Well, in that case, there are a number of factors that may contribute to this condition.
Symptoms of pregnancy before a missed period
- Implantation, bleeding and cramps
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Tender and heavy breasts
- Food cravings
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Urge to urinate
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Headache
- Constipation
- Aches
- cervical mucus change
- hot flushes
- acnes and bumps
- bizarre dreams
15 Unexpected Reasons You May Have Missed Your Period
Stress
Stress affects the production of GnRH (Gonadotrophin releasing hormone) which then interferes with regular menstruation. It is important for you to consult your doctor if you have experienced more than one missed period because of stress. Also, it may take sometime for your periods to becomes regular, once your stress level is back to normal.
Illness
Thyroid diseases, pituitary tumours, diseases of adrenal gland, liver dysfunction, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome can all affect your menstrual cycle. The cycle may not get back to normal until such chronic conditions get a proper treatment. Whereas, acute illness like kidney failure or a heart disease may result in hormone dysfunction which may also lead to missed periods.
Medications
Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, chemotherapy medications may lead to delayed or missed periods. On the same side, hormonal contraceptives like Mirena IUD, Depo-Provera can also affect your cycle.
PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is a reproductive condition can lead to missed or even irregular periods. But, if you have had missed periods, it does not mean that you have PCOS. Although there is no cure to PCOS, but certain lifestyle and hormone interventions can improve the condition.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can make you have very light, infrequent or absolutely no periods at all, especially when breastfeeding serves your baby with almost all of his/her caloric intake.
Ectopic pregnancy
If you feel you have IUD and thus, you cannot get pregnant, your missed periods can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. This may happen due to the shape of the device and further may not show a positive when a pregnancy test is taken.
Perimenopause and menopause
During the period of transition from reproductive age to non-reproductive age, you may notice your periods to be heavier, lighter, more or less frequent. In short, they will not be the way you used to have them.
Menopause is the age where you no longer ovulate or menstruate. The average age for this is 51 years old.
Changes in weight
If you are overweight, the estrogen and progesterone levels are influenced which may also lead to decreased fertility. In such cases, weight loss can help in regulating the menstrual cycle.
Similarly, if you are underweight, the body lacks fat and other nutrients which are essential for producing hormones. Weight gain can help in returning the periods in this case.
Prolactin
This hormone is usually produced by the body during breastfeeding, which also becomes a reason why most breastfeeding women miss their periods at times. For those, who do not breastfeed, suffer from a milky discharge from the nipples which is due to the high amount of prolactin.
Uterine fibroids
These are basically lumps that grow on the uterus. Heavy periods, cramping, painful sex and an urge to urinate are a few symptoms of uterine fibroids. For this, hormone therapy, embolization and hysterectomy are some of the treatment options available for the same.
Change in schedule
Basically, schedule changes may not cause you to completely miss your periods but they may start a little earlier or later than usual. So, they can be a little unpredictable in case your schedule keeps on changing frequently.
Exercise
Here, I’m not talking about the normal one or two hours of daily exercising but if you have planned on switching to extreme exercising, it may as well result in ovulation and menstruation changes. So, you must plan accordingly.
Recently began periods
The length of a normal menstrual cycle is 21 and 35 days which is especially the case for women who have not had their periods for years or who have just begun with them. So, for someone who is young and had just a number of cycles may not have her another cycle for months before a regular pattern is maintained.
Eating disorders
Particularly anorexia can lead to missed periods. This can happen when the body fat becomes extremely low for the ovulation to occur.
Thyroid problems
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can both affect the frequency of periods. Hair loss, fatigue, being cold or warm all the time are also some of the other symptoms that one should look out for.
Conclusion
Listed above were some of the reasons for a delayed period. This means that if you have missed a period, then it does not mean that you are pregnant. Extreme exercising, stress, certain illnesses can all lead to a delayed or missed period.
