10 reasons that could explain why you have a late period

Menstrual delay is a common situation for us and refers to the absence of menstruation in the expected period. Although it is normal for some women to experience certain variations in their cycle, a prolonged delay can be a cause for concern. In this article we explain 10 reasons why you have a delayed menstrual period

But first we want to emphasize that the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, but it can vary from 21 to 35 days. If a woman experiences a delay of more than a week in her menstrual period, it may indicate a hormonal imbalance or some other underlying medical condition.

It is important to know the common causes of late menstrual periods and seek medical attention if a prolonged or unusual delay occurs.

A delay in menstruation can be caused by several reasons and here we explain some of the most common ones. Look at the best applications to keep track of your menstruation .

Why does menstrual delay occur? This is what the experts say

A menstrual delay occurs when the arrival of menstruation differs from the expected date. Although it is commonly linked to pregnancy, it is crucial to recognize that there are various causes that could be influencing this delay.

In general, experiencing a delay in the menstrual cycle sporadically does not necessarily imply a problem. However, if this delay is prolonged or occurs repeatedly, it is advisable to seek the opinion of a professional in the matter. Consulting with a specialist will allow the underlying causes to be accurately assessed and appropriate measures taken accordingly.

Why do you have a menstrual delay? Reasons that could guide you

Pregnancy

Pregnancy involves the interruption of menstrual cycles, making it one of the most recognized causes of a delayed period. When a woman of childbearing age has sexual intercourse and experiences a delayed menstrual period, there is the possibility of pregnancy that should be considered. It is crucial to take a pregnancy test, even if birth control has been used.

Urine pregnancy test kits, available at pharmacies, provide reliable results once a delay in the menstrual cycle has occurred.

As a result, these pregnancy tests represent a valuable option in the first steps so that women can clarify their doubts regarding a menstrual delay.

We want to highlight that thanks to new technologies it is very easy to differentiate when you have menstrual pain or pregnancy symptoms. We explain it to you here .

Changes in body weight

Body weight can influence a woman's menstrual cycle. Being overweight or obese can interfere with the ovulation mechanism, and this can leave a woman without menstruation or alter her menstrual cycle.

On the other hand, rapid or drastic weight loss can lead to hormone levels in the body decreasing, which can also cause the menstrual cycle to be altered. If a woman experiences a significant fluctuation in her weight, it can affect her menstrual period.

Stress

Stress can also be a common cause of delayed menstruation. Do you know what the experts say? Enter here.

Emotional or mental stress can increase levels of the hormone cortisol, which can affect reproductive hormones and the menstrual cycle. Additionally, if a woman is experiencing physical stress, such as an illness or surgery, that can also disrupt her menstrual cycle. It is important to try to reduce stress and relate to positive people, because stress can affect a woman's physical and emotional health.

Hormonal changes in the body

Hormonal changes occur during the menstrual cycle and any imbalance in them can cause menstruation to be delayed. If a woman experiences a sudden change in hormone levels in her body, such as a decrease in estrogen or progesterone levels, it may result in a delay in menstruation. Lack of these important hormonal components results in irregularity of the menstrual cycle.

Illnesses or medical conditions

Some diseases or medical conditions can also contribute to a delay in menstruation. Medical conditions that can affect the menstrual cycle include polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. Additionally, if a woman has a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or vaginal infections, they can affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle. It is important to go to a doctor to diagnose any illness and find its proper treatment.

• You might be interested in:  How do you know when the first day of your period is? How do I know if my menstrual cycle is normal?

Problems in the uterus or ovaries

Women may also experience a delay in menstruation due to problems with the uterus or ovaries. Common conditions include endometriosis, an ovarian cyst, and pelvic inflammatory disease. By having these diseases, acute pain could occur during the menstrual period, as well as alterations in its appearance.

Changes in sexual activity

If a woman has become sexually active or has experienced any recent changes in her sexual schedule, her menstruation may be delayed. There may have been some changes in your hormone levels due to sexual activities.

The preventive use of hormonal contraceptives, the use of condoms, changes in sexual partners and sexual habits can influence a delay in menstruation.

Diet changes

If a woman changes her diet suddenly, it can affect her hormone levels and cause a delay in her menstrual cycle.

During your menstrual cycle, good nutrition is essential to avoid delays. We leave you what you should and should not eat in this link .

Contraceptive use

Using certain contraceptives, such as the birth control pill, can affect hormone levels and cause a delay in your menstrual period.

Thyroid problems

Thyroid problems can affect hormone levels in the body and cause a delay in the menstrual period.

Excessive exercise

Strenuous and excessive exercise can cause hormonal imbalance in the body.

Premature ovarian failure (POI)

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurs when the functionality of the ovaries is compromised before the age of 40.

The causes may include genetic and immunological factors, certain infections, chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments, as well as surgical procedures on the ovaries, among others; However, in many cases, the underlying reasons remain unknown.

In women affected by POI, irregularities in the menstrual cycle are likely to occur, which can ultimately lead to the complete absence of menstruation (amenorrhea).

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a relatively common endocrine disorder. It is characterized by the possibility of women experiencing oligoovulation or anovulation, hyperandrogenism (an excess of male hormones), and the identification of polycystic ovaries by ultrasound.

This hormonal imbalance often causes women suffering from PCOS to experience irregularities in their menstrual cycles, accompanied by other symptoms that can include acne or hirsutism (the growth of hair in areas typically associated with men).

Avoid having those menstrual delays

To avoid problems with your menstrual cycle, you can follow these expert tips to lead a healthy lifestyle:

Maintaining a regular menstrual cycle and preventing missed periods may be important for some women. Below are some measures you can take to avoid late menstrual periods:

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help maintain a regular menstrual cycle. This includes a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise and reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption. Read here the 25 things we should never do when we are going about our days to avoid irregularities .
2. Control stress: Stress can affect the menstrual cycle and cause a delayed menstrual period. It's important to take steps to reduce stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.
3. Control weight: Having a healthy weight and keeping it stable can help maintain a regular menstrual cycle. Both being overweight and sudden weight loss can affect the menstrual cycle and cause a delay.
4. Avoid certain medications: Some medications, such as antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives, can affect the menstrual cycle. It is important to talk to a doctor about the potential side effects of medications and how they may affect the menstrual cycle.
5. Treat underlying medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disease, can affect the menstrual cycle. If you have an underlying medical condition, it is important to treat it to avoid a delayed menstrual period.
6. Use contraceptives: Using contraceptives can help prevent pregnancy and regulate the menstrual cycle. It is important to talk to a doctor about contraceptive options and which one is best for each person.

You may be interested in these articles:

• What is the rhythm method for menstruation and how does it work?
• Constipation and the menstrual cycle: Why are they related? These may be some of the causes
• Why does my period last so long? How do you know if it is normal?

Frequent questions

What could be the cause of a menstrual delay of more than 3 months?

First of all, it is essential to establish the definition of amenorrhea, which refers to the absence of menstruation for a period spanning 3 to 6 months. It is essential to keep in mind that the absence of menstruation is not considered amenorrhea in cases of pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause . The underlying causes of amenorrhea can be varied and include factors such as extreme exercise, genetic causes, mood changes such as high levels of stress or anxiety, significant changes in body weight (whether gain or loss), presence of Amenorrhea Syndrome. of Polycystic Ovary, among others.

If I have a menstrual delay, what should I do?

When a woman experiences a delay in her menstrual cycle, it is important to understand that there are several possible causes behind this situation, so it does not necessarily imply pregnancy. In the case of women in the fertile stage who have had sexual relations, it is advisable to take a pregnancy test. If pregnancy is ruled out as a cause, it is recommended to wait around 10 days after the delay to see if menstruation becomes regular. If your period does not occur, it is advisable to consult a specialized professional. In this way, a gynecologist will be able to delve deeper into the possible underlying causes and, if necessary, offer the appropriate treatment. These applications will help you keep better control of your period.

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