Periods bring discomfort and pain; but delay or absence of periods causes greater agony. Women across the world live through this paradox during their reproductive years, especially when they are sexually active. However, does a missed period always mean pregnancy? Well, No! Several other reasons can cause missed periods. Continue reading the blog to learn more.

What Is A Missed Period?

A missed period, medically known as amenorrhea, is when a woman of reproductive age has not had a menstrual period for three or more consecutive months. There are two types of amenorrhea: primary and secondary.

Primary amenorrhea occurs when a young woman has not had her first period by the age of 16, despite the presence of normal growth and development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and pubic hair growth.

Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman who previously had normal menstrual periods stops menstruating for three or more consecutive cycles. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal imbalances, side effects of certain medications, exertion, or significant weight loss or gain are some of the reasons for delayed periods but no pregnancy.

When you miss your period, the fear of pregnancy looms large over your mind because a missed period is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. However, it is not always a reliable indicator. A missing period has many reasons, ranging from stress and illness to changes in weight or lifestyle. Hormonal imbalances or other underlying medical conditions could also be reasons for late periods.

What Are The Causes Of Missed Periods?

The following are the possible causes of late period when you are not pregnant.

• Stress: Shooting stress levels can cause hormonal imbalances. It may affect the menstrual cycle and cause a late period.

• Weight changes: Significant weight gain or loss can affect the menstrual cycle and delay your period because changes in body fat levels can alter the amount and balance of hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods or no periods. Insulin resistance and high levels of androgens produced in this condition interfere with regular ovulation, thus delaying menses.

• Thyroid disorders: Thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can cause hormonal imbalances and affect the menstrual cycle, leading to a late period.

• Perimenopause: As women approach menopause, the menstrual cycle can become irregular, and periods may become less frequent. This stage is known as perimenopause.

• Excessive exercise: Overexercising can cause a hormonal imbalance and affect the menstrual cycle, leading to a missed period when not pregnant.

• Medications: Menstruation may get irregular in women taking hormonal contraceptives, steroids, and antidepressants.

What Should You Do If You Missed Your Period?

If you are a sexually active woman and not planning to have a child, do a pregnancy test to rule out conception. Once you have heaved the sigh of relief after seeing the two pink lines heralding no pregnancy, visit a gynaecologist for check-up and diagnosis of reasons for delay in menstruation.

Similarly, if you have had no luck with carnal intimacy for quite some time but waiting for your monthlies, go to your OB-GYN for health examination and diagnosis.

In addition to a pregnancy test, they will inquire about your medical history, weight, illnesses, contraception methods, and medications you are taking. Besides, you may also be asked to take blood tests to check hormonal imbalances and/or gene abnormalities. In some cases, an ultrasound scan is also recommended to detect issues in reproductive organs (if any).