The most common causes of missed periods

Violations of the menstrual cycle are not so rare, and every woman at least once, but faced with similar phenomena. One of the most common cycle violations is delay. As a rule, only with one word «delay» many begin to suspect pregnancy. Yes, in some cases, it turns out to be her, but still there are reasons that are not related to pregnancy. Doctors remind that menstrual disorders are a signal from the body about problems that may indicate illness, chronic stress. In any case, such symptoms deserve attention and clarification of the cause.

MedAboutMe looked into the «non-pregnant» causes of menstrual irregularities.

Let’s talk about the norm

The female cycle is directly related to the stable level of hormones that is maintained in the body of a woman. Hormones are released in accordance with the phases of the cycle. Every month, a woman’s body prepares for fertilization and pregnancy, and if this does not happen, then the already unnecessary endometrium is rejected. But next month, new endometrial tissue is needed, because the woman’s body hopes that fertilization will occur, and a new life will develop in the woman’s body.

The change of the endometrium and the opening of the blood vessels — this is the discharge during menstrual bleeding.

Normally, each woman has her own cycle, its own duration from one menstruation to another. There are also average norms, as a rule, it is 28 days, but there are also individual fluctuations, and then the cycle can be 22-32 days. When assessing women’s health, not only the length of the cycle is taken into account, but also its regularity, compliance with the schedule, although you can notice some fluctuations in several days and some other symptoms.

When can we talk about a delay?

Contrary to popular belief, a schedule delay of one day cannot be called a delay. The female body is a delicate instrument that is subject to external changes and is sensitive to environmental factors, to say nothing of internal ones. In reactions to stress, overwork, deviations from the schedule can form both in the direction of delay and in the opposite direction.

A true delay can only be considered the absence of menstruation for more than 5 days from the expected date. For example, presumably, menstruation should begin on Wednesday, the 8th, and on the calendar the 14th — only in this case, we can talk about a delay.

A variant of the norm can be considered a short delay in menstruation once a year. This phenomenon does not always indicate illness or pregnancy. We must not forget about the influence of external and internal factors. Pathology can be considered regular delays, when menstruation does not lend itself to any systematization and has become chaotic. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause. So the body signals about the disease and the necessary help.

Delay: reasons

The first and most obvious reason for delay is pregnancy. It is her doctors who try to confirm or exclude in the first place. For diagnosis, you can use the available means — a pregnancy test. To obtain reliable data, even with a negative test, it must be repeated after 3-5 days. And the most effective will be a trip to the gynecologist.

But if, nevertheless, pregnancy is excluded, but there is a delay, then what could be the reason? And how to find out? Which doctor to start with?

Stress and «nerves» as the cause of the delay

A modern person in a big city is constantly in a stressful state, running around at work, everything needs to be done in time, bad ecology — these are all stresses. In women who are subject to great physical and emotional upheavals, have experienced or are experiencing stress, menstruation can not only be delayed, but even stop for a while.

Often such a picture can be observed during some important event, for example, during a session during study, when submitting an important report or preparing a project, on which further work and career growth will depend.

It is impossible to exclude such causes of stress as the loss of loved ones, the breakup of relationships. Excessive positive emotions, for example, an upcoming wedding, can also be called stress.

At the doctor’s appointment, it is necessary to tell if there is a suspicion of stress — as the reason for the formation of the delay.

Lack of sleep, wild parties, lack of regimen can also be attributed to stressful situations.

In order to restore the cycle, doctors give recommendations on organizing sleep and daily routine, sedative medications, and conversations with a psychologist can be prescribed. If stress is an integral part of life, then most likely you will have to drink a whole course of sedatives.

Weight as a cause of cycle disorders

It’s no secret that weight is linked to a woman’s reproductive health. Both weight loss and excess weight will be dangerous. If the scales show less than 45 kg, then menstruation may temporarily stop or regular delays appear. This can be explained by a hormone deficiency.

Subcutaneous fat can produce additional portions of estrogen, thereby regulating women’s health.

When gaining excess weight, an excess of estrogens can form, which also negatively affects the reproductive system.

What diseases can affect menstruation?

Diseases of the liver and kidneys have a negative impact on the menstrual cycle, because these organs are involved in the metabolism of hormones, in the process of their destruction and excretion from the body. By the way, kidney disease is quite common among women, and because of the anatomical and physiological characteristics, it is women who are at risk.

In the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the formation of delays, diseases of the reproductive system can also play a role: inflammation of the appendages, the formation of cysts, uterine diseases and, of course, endometriosis.

In addition to diseases, adaptation to climate change can cause a delay. For example, when moving during a holiday from winter to summer, or even due to a flight to different climatic zones.

Medications that may affect the delay

Some of the most common drugs that can change your cycle include oral contraceptives or drugs that are used for emergency contraception. Their active substances interfere with the hormonal background of a woman, disrupting the well-coordinated and measured work of the ovaries and pituitary gland. Such a shake-up can be manifested for a long time by violations of the menstrual cycle.

In some cases, oral contraceptives are used as medicines for the treatment of cycle disorders and as an aid to the recovery of the female body after miscarriages, abortions, etc. Usually, their regular use restores menstruation, and it runs on a strict schedule.

Few women think that antidepressants, diuretics and medications that are prescribed in the treatment of stomach ulcers can also adversely affect the menstrual cycle and cause a delay.

When contacting a specialist about cycle disorders, it is imperative to inform the doctor about taking any medications.