The menstrual cycle can stretch from 21 to 40 days, typically lasting for 28 days. A large percentage of women have an irregular menstrual cycle. Usually, irregular periods occur at two times in life: when they first begin, and when the transition for menopause begins. There are various reasons why your period might be late. Let’s explore some of them.
1. Stress
Stress can elongate your menstrual cycle, causing a delay in your period. It can also result in severely painful bleeding. Particularly, chronic stress can cause an imbalance in your hormones and disrupt your daily routine. In some cases, it can even affect the hypothalamus, which is the part of your brain responsible for regulating your period. If you are someone who is dealing with chronic stress, try and visit a psychologist who can help you deal with it. Also cognitive behavioral therapy is really helpful for patients of chronic stress. Some things that can help you destress at home are practising breathing exercises and following a healthy lifestyle.
2. Weight Loss and Obesity
One major reason why your period is late can be if you have recently lost a lot of weight. This is because not having an adequate amount of body fat prevents ovulation. In cases where people have eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia they often experience irregular periods. Additionally, people who partake in extreme exercises, like marathons, also face irregularity in period.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you are obese, your body is producing an unnecessary amount of oestrogen. High amounts of estrogen in your body can cause irregular periods. In some cases it is also capable of stopping the periods altogether.
3. Perimenopause
Menopause usually begins at the age of 51. Before that, women go through a transitional period that is referred to as perimenopause. This interim stage is usually indicative of the fluctuation in your body’s estrogen levels. One of the key signs of perimenopause is late periods. There is nothing alarming about periods being late after you have hit your 50s as it is just your body’s way of preparing itself for the next stage in life.
4. Hormonal Conditions
Hormonal imbalances also play a major role in missed or late periods. If you think you have hormonal problems, visit the best gynecologist in lahore to clear your doubts. One way of detecting hormonal imbalances is a blood test. After a blood test your doctor will prescribe appropriate medication to counter this problem.
5. Birth Control
Birth control is one of the most common causes of a delayed or missed period. This is because some birth control or contraceptive pills work by regulating the hormones inside your body. Generally, hormonal birth controls are a mix of estrogen and progesterone, which in turn cause a delay in period. Your period should return after you stop using them. Some common types of hormonal birth control include:
- Contraceptive pills
- Birth control shots
- Birth control implants
- Birth control patch
- Birth control ring
The hormones these birth controls are made of make the lining of the uterus thin, as a result there isn’t enough of the lining left to cause bleeding. Although using birth control isn’t harmful in any way, it should always be taken after consulting a doctor.
6. PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a very common hormonal disorder among women. Under normal circumstances ovaries release eggs. But women who have PCOS, their ovaries are either unable to release an egg or they only release immature eggs. This means that ovulation is unable to take place or there is a delay, which results in late or missed periods. Irregular menstrual cycle is the biggest symptom of PCOS. Other symptoms of PCOS are:
- Acne
- Obesity
- Excess facial and body hair
- Development of cysts on the ovaries
- Male-pattern baldness
If you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms, log on to oladoc.com and consult a gynecologist. Because the sooner you start receiving treatment for PCOS the better.
7. Other Causes
Some other reasons that make your period late are:
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Pituitary tumor
- Celiac disease
In any case, it is better to see your general physician and get underlying conditions ruled out.