Why Do Periods Delay Sometimes When Not Pregnant?

Q: I am a female of 19 years. I am skipping my periods since I am 12 and a half years old. I normally get my period in 35 days after the previous. Now, it has been 43 days since my last period. I am very tense. I indulge in making out sessions with my boyfriend. There is no question of pregnancy. Please advice me what is wrong and what to do?
– By Minal

Reply:

Have you been taking oral contraceptives or any hormonal pills recently?

Such pills can disturb menses. They commonly delay menses, gradually prolonging the duration after which next menses would begin. Pills can also cause missed periods.

Causes of Delayed or Missed Periods

There are many other causes of delayed or missed periods, other than pregnancy. They are as follows:

  • Stress– This is common in your age group. This age is a transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s natural to have stress related to studies, relations or peer pressure. Like other systems of the body, stress also disturbs menstrual cycles. Stress reduces the amount of a hormone called GnRH in the body. This interferes with menses and may cause a delay of periods or even a missed period at times.
  • Any sudden change in weight- Sudden gain of weight or loss of weight (as in dieting) can affect menses.
  • Doing lot of activities (over-exercises)
  • Smoking or alcohol consumption

If, however, you feel that none of the above reasons hold relevant in your case, we would suggest you to get yourself checked up. There may be certain medical conditions that are causing this abnormality.

Medical Conditions Leading to Disturbed Menses

  • Polycystic ovarian disease
  • Uterine problems like endometriosis
  • Uterine growths such as fibroids, cysts or polyps

You can visit a gynecologist and get yourself checked to rule out any of these conditions. Early treatment is always better, so it’s desirable to take action now.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Causes of Delayed Menses and Missed Periods

  1. KRISTINE

    I didn’t have my periods since two months although I am not married. Yet my age is 15, what is the reason?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Any other symptom, like fever, pain in the abdomen etc.?

      There may be many factors leading to missed periods in your age group. The commonest is stress, which leads to disturbances in hormonal levels.

      Read above in detail about the various causes and management.

      Reply
        1. Buddy M.D. Post author

          Alright. Delayed or missed menses are usually a result of some disturbance in the pattern (or levels) of female reproductive hormones.

          Commonly, such a disturbance may occur due to physical or emotional stress (at work or home), poor appetite, too much or too little of exercises or by taking external hormones (pills).

          Take care of your lifestyle to rule out any of these causes.

          If menstrual disturbances continue, it would be better to get yourself examined by a gyne to rule out conditions like PCOS which may lead to missed menses.

          Reply
  2. sue

    My daughter has been diagnosed with calcification of the brain. She is 39 years old and is currently waiting to see a neurologist. She has co planned of the fact that one of her eyes feels like it is being pushed out and has general lethargy. What treatment might she be given, I know that there is no cure. Also will the condition get progressively worse.

    Reply
  3. Triza

    I’m 25 yrs old Asian virgin. I am a student. It’s been 4 months, I haven’t had any periods. A year before, I started noticing irregularities like less flow and also for lesser days. Normally, I had a flow for 5 days, but as the irregularities started, I only had 3 days flow. This happened 3 to 4 times, before the periods finally stopped. I had consulted a gynecologist before, when periods didn’t arrive for 2 months. After diagnosis she told me it was a hormonal imbalance and will get better after marriage. She suggested me a tonic for 3 months. After completing the course, I had flow for 3 days. I waited for 4 months, hoping the periods will arrive. I didn’t consult my gynecologist because I had to move to a new city. Should I consult a doctor soon? And is it a common problem for girls of my age? I’m very concerned because I get paranoid at times thinking that I attained my menopause or what! Please give me some advice.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It would be good to see a doctor, an experienced gyne preferably. You may be having some problem with the cycles which needs to be detected.

      Also, get your thyroid levels checked up.

      It is not possible that you attain menopause like this. There is some hormonal/ cyclic problem that needs to be detected.

      Reply
      1. Triza

        Thanks for the advice. My thyroid levels were normal. I had an ultrasound of stomach and uterus, which also showed normal results.

        Reply
          1. Triza

            So, I started having itching on my body recently. Could it be because of missed periods? If so, will it get better with treatment or will I have to treat it separately?

          2. Buddy M.D. Post author

            Unlikely to be due to missed periods. May be some allergy. You need to take some anti allergic pill.

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