Missed Period without Pregnancy: 9 Causes of Delayed Period
Missed Period
Some time in the life of a woman, she might have missed a Period without Pregnancy and it can be a big cause of worry. The menstrual period is a very important event in the life of every sexually active young woman, and whenever it is delayed or absent, it comes with a lot of anxiety and unrest.
This is partly because the first lesson we learned, whether at home, in school, or with friends is that, when we do not see our period, then we are Pregnant.
There are also times when a missed period is normal and that is:
- When a woman starts menstruating (Menarche)
- when she is about to stop menstruating (Menopause)
Today, we are going to discuss the conditions that can cause you to have a missed period without pregnancy.
Causes of Missed Period
They include;
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Weight
- Obesity
- Chronic diseases
- Medication
- Exercise
- Thyroid Issues
- Illness
- Early Perimenopause
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the most common reason why you would not have a period for a month. However, it is not the only reason.
Hence, when you do not see your period, especially if you are sexually active, it is recommended that you buy a urine pregnancy dipstick that is sold for around N100 in most pharmacies, and do a urine test at home using your early morning urine. The urine dipstick tests for the presence of HCG, a hormone that is usually produced by the placenta of the bay. The test is usually over 95% sensitive.
Causes of Missed Period without Pregnancy
If the result is negative, then you should not panic. There are other possible reasons why you would not have a period, and they are as follows;
Stress
An increased amount of stressful activities of late can affect the hormones regulating your monthly cycle, leading to a delayed or absent cycle. When your body is stressed, it tells your brain that it is not ready for reproduction at this point. The part of your brain responsible for regulating your cycle takes this information, and delays your ovulation, thereby leading to a delayed period.
Illness
Recent illnesses especially with infective agents like malaria, and the like that could cause anaemia, fever, and other symptoms can cause you to have a delayed or absent period. In the same way, the body senses that you are not in the best shape for reproduction and hence delays your ovulation leading to a delay in your period.
Weight Loss or Gain
A recent weight gain or loss can significantly impact your cycle, and affect your hormonal regulation. Hence, if you just added or lost some kilograms of weight, it might be the reason why you do not have a period. Hence, it is important to eat healthily.
Obesity
It is always advisable to maintain a healthy weight (with a BMI of between 19-25). A BMI greater than 30 can significantly affect your menstrual cycle and can cause a delay or total absence of your period. Obesity also poses a risk for a lot of health conditions, hence, it is advised to lose that weight fast.
Chronic Diseases
Diseases such as diabetes and celiac disease can also have an impact on your monthly cycle.
Medication
If you took a new medication, especially an oral contraceptive that was taken weeks back after you had sex. It can also cause a change in your menstrual cycle, by delaying your ovulation. You should wait a few more days & you will see your period.
Increased Exercise
Excessive amounts of exercise could lead to hormonal imbalance and weight loss, both of which can affect the regulation of the female reproductive cycle.
Thyroid issues
An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can also cause you to have late or missed periods. The thyroid gland produces hormones known as thyroxine that regulate your body’s metabolism.
You should see a doctor if you notice any symptoms like; increased sweating, always feeling hot, weight loss, etc.
Early peri-menopause:
Menopause is a period of complete cessation of menstrual activities. It is a period where the reproductive life of a woman comes to an end. Most women enter menopause between the ages of 45 and 55.
However, some women may start noticing symptoms of menopause (such as hot flushes, etc) around the age of 40 or earlier. These women are considered to have an early peri-menopause.
Whatever the cause, once pregnancy is excluded, you should see a doctor.
Feel free to ask any questions below
