Having a delayed period can be stressful – more so if you know you have regular menstrual cycles before, or if you are worried about a possible pregnancy. Likewise, you may also be confused about your late period because you never had a sexual encounter in the first place.
Because it bothers you a lot, you would end up frantically Googling possible reasons for your delayed period. However, the aforementioned situations are not the only reasons for late periods. There are other factors that cause periods coming later than usual.
Before anything else, it is important to know that it’s normal for your menstrual cycle to become irregular from the moment you begin menstruating. A normal menstrual cycle usually happens every 28 to 35 days. If your cycle does not happen within these usual ranges, it may be due to the following factors
Stress is a normal part of our lives. More so, it can also mess up our body, including our menstrual cycles. It can also lead to weight fluctuations that can affect your menstrual cycles. Likewise, it can affect your hormones and even your brain function including your hypothalamus. Your brain’s hypothalamus is primarily responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle.
Thus, it is important to take a break and relax a little if you feel stressed. Do some yoga or other exercise routines to help your mind and body on the right track.
Exercise is generally good for our health, but make sure not to overdo it. In fact, many professional athletes are more prone to have delayed periods. Late menstrual cycles usually occur because of exercising too hard, paired with a lack of calorie intake or even training when you have an illness.
As a result, your body won’t be able to produce estrogen that can cause late periods. To prevent that from happening, make sure to have a proper diet and relax a little bit on your exercise routine. However, you can consult your doctor about your concerns.
Women weighing below and beyond normal weight are prone to have delayed periods. In such cases, your doctor will mostly recommend a diet plan to get your weight and your period back on track.
PCOS occurs when your body produces more androgen (male hormone) than estrogen (female hormone). Due to this hormonal imbalance, cysts grow on the ovaries which cause ovulation to halt and result in irregular menstrual flow. Insulin imbalance, a common symptom of PCOS, can also cause irregular menstrual cycles. In such cases, your doctor will prescribe medications such as birth control pills to normalize menstrual period.
Aside from PCOS, other pelvic problems can cause irregular periods. Among them include conditions such as an imperforate hymen and Asherman’s Syndrome.
The former occurs when your vagina is blocked, as in literally sealed. In effect, menstrual blood cannot flow out of your vagina. If left untreated, the blood can cause an infection that can be fatal. On the other hand, the latter occurs when the menstrual blood is trapped due to scar tissue that has merged and sort of formed a mass.
In such cases, these two conditions can be corrected via surgery. More importantly, it is better to have it consulted with your doctor if you think you have either of these conditions.
Girls who have just started to have their monthly periods will experience irregular flow. No worries – it’s completely normal. Apparently, this is because your body is still adjusting to the ongoing transition into womanhood.
Give your body some time, and your menstrual period will eventually come on a regular basis. However, if you still experience irregular periods after many years, it may be wise to consult your doctor immediately.
Just like the time when a woman started to have her period, perimenopause can also affect menstrual cycles. Perimenopause occurs years before a woman transitions to menopause.
In perimenopause stage, women experience a fluctuation of estrogen levels. Irregular estrogen levels result in delayed periods. However, a woman is said to be already in her menopausal stage if she has not had her period for a year.
This is assuming that you have already given birth. Breastfeeding is one of the wonderful joys of motherhood. However, it can also cause menstrual delays. This is due to the lack of prolactin production. Prolactin is that hormone that helps in producing breastmilk. At the same time, this hormone can also affect ovulation which can result in menstrual delays.
Normally, menstruation resumes around six to eight weeks after childbirth. However, if you haven’t gotten your menstrual period for more than 3 months, it’s better to seek medical help immediately.
At the end of the day, it is still best to consult your doctor to rule out possible health issues affecting your menstrual cycle.
