There are various reasons for missed periods, including pregnancy, contraceptives, weight changes, illnesses, and menopause. It’s important to track your cycle and see a doctor if the issue persists.
There are a number of factors that can cause a missed period or amenorrhea. Keep in mind that every woman is different and that while the “standard” menstrual cycle occurs every 28 days, some women may have more or less frequent periods. It’s also important to keep in mind that a “period” lasts for the entire month, so the term “missed period” actually refers to a missed period. Some of the factors that could cause irregular periods include pregnancy, illness, weight changes or contraceptives, just to name a few.
The first and most common cause of a missed period is pregnancy. It’s important to act as if the pregnancy happened after a missed period, until a test can either confirm or disprove it. Start with a home pregnancy test, and if the test shows a positive result, visit a doctor as soon as possible. Breastfeeding women also often miss periods.
However, another very common reason for a missed period is contraceptives, especially the birth control pill and injection, as well as an intrauterine device (IUD). The birth control pill and injection alter the level of hormones in the body, namely estrogen, which can impact the menstrual cycle. Also, even after stopping contraceptives, it can take a few months for your menstrual cycle to straighten out and resume a normal schedule. Hormonal imbalances can occur even without contraceptives, so any concerns should be discussed with a doctor.
Significant weight gain or loss can also be contributing factors to a missed period. Although eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can frequently cause irregular periods, you don’t need to have an eating disorder for menstrual problems to arise after significant changes in weight. In addition to weight changes, other factors may include excessive exercise, stress, travel and illegal drug use.
Illnesses, both short-term and long-term, can contribute to a missed period, as well as pelvic organ problems. Medications are another factor, including antidepressants, NSAIDs, and others. Finally, during perimenopause, your menstrual cycle will change significantly, and menopause will cause your period to stop.
Typically, a missed period that isn’t caused by pregnancy is only temporary. If it continues, however, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical causes. It can also be helpful to track your cycle length from month to month, which will be able to illustrate any patterns that may be able to point to a cause for a missed period.
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