9 reasons why you miss your period and is it normal?

Delayed periods are one of the most common complaints that people go to the gynecologist with. Today we will talk about delayed periods when a pregnancy test is negative.

Top reasons why you miss your period

Delayed menstruation can be an unpleasant surprise for those women who are used to the fact that their cycle is regular or they are not ready for pregnancy. However, there are a large number of other reasons why a woman may have a delayed period. Read more about these reasons below.

An Increased level of Stress

If a woman experiences severe stress over a long period of time, her body begins to conserve energy by not producing ovulation. If a woman has experienced a sudden traumatic event, it can cause an increased load on the adrenal glands, leading to a cessation of production of estrogen and other reproductive hormones (a condition called hypothalamic amenorrhea). When a woman has insufficient estrogen, she will not be able to maintain her uterine mucosa, resulting in delayed menstruation.

The body has always given priority to the production of stress hormones that help to survive critical situations, considering sex hormones to be of secondary importance during periods it considers as difficult. With chronic stress, there is a lack of beneficial substances such as amino acids that promote normal neurotransmitter function and not enough of them to produce enough hormones, so the body has to choose between stress hormones and sex hormones, and the preference is always for the former.

Weight loss

When your body mass index (BMI) falls below the 18-19 mark, you may start to have a delayed period because your body fat is too low. Body fat is essential for producing enough estrogen, so women who are too thin or have a serious medical condition like anorexia or bulimia can have missed or delayed periods. Increased physical activity and therefore high nutrient requirements due to strenuous exercise can sometimes lead to weight loss and put you at risk of developing hormonal abnormalities.

Increased Physical Activity

Although moderate physical activity is very important for heart health, mood control, sleep and maintaining stable body weight, increased physical activity increases the stress on the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands. Therefore, women who begin strenuous physical activity abruptly, such as preparing for a marathon or similar important event that requires high physical excretion, may suddenly stop menstruating.

Serious Illness

There are certain chronic illnesses that can affect your cycle, including diabetes, thyroid disease, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), liver disease, and pituitary tumors. Often your cycle may not return to normal until these conditions are properly treated, and it may take some time even after you are completely cured.

Menopause

The average age at which menopause begins is 52. However, many women experience the first symptoms of hormonal change 10 to 15 years before menopause, indicating perimenopause. Fluctuating estrogen levels can alter a woman's menstrual cycle, making it irregular. When there is no menstruation for 12 months, it is indicative of menopause.

Contraception

Some methods of contraception, particularly hormonal contraceptives, can cause you to miss your period. Usually, it is not harmful to your health, but you should inform your doctor about it.

New periods

The normal menstrual cycle in healthy people lasts 21-35 days, but it is known to be different. For those who have just started their period, it often happens that they have several cycles, and then months they go without another.

Important Lifestyle Factors

We all know that the way we live ultimately affects our bodies. Sometimes these lifestyle choices are unintentional and out of our control, other times it's just a matter of self-awareness and personal adaptation to find the right balance of mind and body for you.

Medications

There are certain medicines that can cause your period to stop. If your period has not started, consider that the medications you are taking may be the cause. Any of these medications can cause menstrual delays: antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, antipsychotics, allergy medications, and blood pressure medications.

When to consult the doctor?

If your lack of menstruation has become a regular occurrence, it's best to consult with a doctor and find out what's wrong with your body. Even if you are just going through a change in your regular menstrual habits, there is nothing wrong with mentioning it.