If your period is predictable, you might be scratching your head why it is late or you have missed it altogether. If you are sexually active, pregnancy might be the first reason that springs to mind, but it could be due to a medical cause or a lifestyle factor.
You might not miss the mood swings, abdominal bloating, and cramping, but you may feel eager for your menstrual cycle to return to normal. Various factors could be to blame for a missed or irregular period. Continue reading to learn about the four possible reasons why your period is late.
- Pregnancy
If you are sexually active, your late or missed period may be due to pregnancy. Before you panic, you can check if you are pregnant by taking a pregnancy test, and you will receive the results within minutes.
If you are pregnant, you can choose to continue with the pregnancy or assess your options, such as embarking on adoption or visiting one of the safe abortion clinics available. Every woman should be able to make decisions best for their body and future, which makes the overturning of Roe v Wade disappointing for many women across America.
- Stress
If you have been under immense pressure in your professional and/or personal life recently, stress might be the reason why you’re late or have missed a period. It might shock you that chronic stress can play havoc with your hormones and can even impact the hypothalamus, which is the area of the brain that regulates your period. Also, your menstrual cycle is more likely to be affected if chronic stress has caused illness or sudden weight loss or gain.
If you suspect stress is to blame, you must embark on various relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, walking outdoors, and embarking on soothing activities, such as reading or unwinding in a hot bath.
- Weight Loss or Gain
Changes to your weight can cause period irregularities. For instance, you are more likely to have an irregular period if you lose too much weight, as a lack of body fat can pause your ovulation cycle. Yet, gaining too much weight can cause late or missed periods, as obesity can increase the body’s estrogen production, which might result in period problems or stop a menstrual cycle altogether.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a medical condition that causes cysts to form on the ovaries due to a hormonal imbalance. As a result, women are more likely to struggle with irregular ovulation and periods, and they could even stop altogether. At present, there isn’t a cure for PCOS, but prescription medications and birth control can relieve symptoms and may help to regulate your menstrual cycle.
Never ignore changes to your menstrual cycle, as they could be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as PCOS. If in doubt, make an appointment with a doctor to get to the root cause of your period irregularities.