top of page

Missed or Irregular Period


Concerned about a missed or irregular period? Learn more about the many causes and ideal solutions.


The majority of women experience periods on average every 28 days, while they can occasionally be a little shorter or a little longer, for example, 22 to 40 days, which is also common.


However, some women may experience irregular menstruation—whose duration and severity can vary from period to period—or a menstrual cycle that is deficient. There are two types of "amenorrhea," primary and secondary, which is a condition where the cycle even stops.


Primary amenorrhea is when a girl reaches the age of 15 but has not yet started her period. When a woman's regular menstrual cycle suddenly and indefinitely ends, it is known as secondary amenorrhea.


You could experience these conditions for a variety of causes. Let's identify these and learn further about it.


Menstruation may stop due to a number of common factors, including:


  • Pregnancy

  • A genetic anomaly

  • Imbalance of hormones

  • Excessive anxiety

  • Exercise in excess

  • Unexpected weight reduction

  • Obesity


Other possible reasons include:


  • Taking a medication for contraception

  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)


Let's go through each of these situations in more detail so that we can better understand how to handle each issue.


Pregnancy


The menstrual cycle is most commonly disrupted by pregnancy. If you engage in sexual activity and your period doesn't start, you could possibly be pregnant. If after a few days it still doesn't happen naturally, you want to be sure you're not pregnant, take a pregnancy test on your own, and then talk to your doctor.


A genetic anomaly


Menstruation that is absent or delayed is directly caused by genetic or chromosomal disorders like Turner syndrome. In some circumstances, reproductive organ structural issues may also contribute to the stoppage of the menstrual cycle.


Imbalance of hormones


A pituitary or hypothalamic disorder may cause a hormonal imbalance in the body, which may stop the menstrual cycle from occurring.


The stopping of the period is also directly caused by both an overactive and an underactive thyroid.


The thyroid gland creates thyroid hormones that aid in the normal regulation of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle will be affected by hormonal imbalances in the body.


Excessive anxiety


Your menstrual period may lengthen or shorten depending on how stressed your body is. Even your menstrual can completely stop. If you're always stressed out, it can even start to pain and irritate you more.


Get some rest and set aside some time to relax instead of stressing and reaching for medication in such a case. You can help your body relax by practising yoga and breathing techniques. Additionally, you can try physical activities like swimming, stretching, and jogging.


Unexpected weight reduction


One of the most common causes of menstruation interruption is abrupt weight loss. Amenorrhea is a condition that affects underweight women (BMI 18).


Your doctor may recommend that you speak with a nutritionist if you are underweight so that you may put on weight healthily and avoid any problems in the future like hypothyroidism, which can also be the cause of irregular periods.


Excessive exercise


Similar to this, you could suffer an absent period if you exercise excessively and lose too much body weight quickly.


Do not over exert yourself. Excessive activity can stress your body out, which can impact estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Your period may be affected by this.


If you are a professional athlete and your periods are irregular, speak with specialists in sports medicine. Usually, you'll be told to take some time off and reduce the amount of time you spend exercising.


Obesity


Menstrual issues are also a direct result of obesity or being overweight. Your periods may become irregular, sometimes thick or scanty, or they may even altogether.


The reason for this is that obese women have a BPI of 30 or higher, and in these circumstances, the body overproduces oestrogen, one of the essential hormones that regulates the female reproductive system. Your menstruation frequency will be impacted if you have too much of this hormone.


Taking a medication for contraception


Contraceptive pill users frequently experience missed periods, but some of these medications also contain progestogens, which can occasionally cause periods to stop.

But if you stop using the medication, your periods should start to return to normal.


Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)


An unbalanced hormonal state in women is known as polycystic ovary syndrome (high androgen level which is a male hormone). As a result of the large number of immature follicles that these women tend to grow, ovulation doesn't occur in these women and they are unable to release their eggs.


Consult a doctor if you haven't had a period in three months, if you often have early or late periods, or if you think your body may be out of balance.

bottom of page