A visit from “Aunt Flo” is a normal and expected part of a woman’s life every month. So, what does it mean if a month goes by without having a period? Just because you missed a period doesn’t necessarily mean that you are pregnant, because other factors can influence the presence of menstrual flow. It’s important to pay attention to your monthly cycles so you know when things are changing.
Why Do Women Miss Periods?
It can be distressing to have a late period or missed period – especially when you usually have a regular cycle. Before jumping to conclusions about pregnancy, consider these potential reasons that could influence the possibility of a late period:
- Birth Control: Certain types of birth control can change the pattern of menstrual cycles. Hormonal methods of birth control affect the estrogen and progesterone levels in the body including pills, shots, patches, rings, and implants. Depending on the dosage and frequency of use, the birth control might have an effect on hormone levels that maintain a thin lining on the uterus – which means there isn’t enough of a lining release for a period to happen.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal changes can also happen because of health concerns and lifestyle factors. If certain hormone levels are high, then it is important to talk to a doctor to identify the cause of these fluctuations. Sometimes the use of birth control or hormone medications can be used to help a woman return to her normal cycle.
- Perimenopause: Most women reach menopause near the age of 52, but early symptoms can begin 10 – 15 years before menopause. The preliminary stages of menopause are known as perimenopause, and this is a time when estrogen levels begin to change. As the estrogen levels fluctuate, the menstrual cycle can change and cause missing periods or irregularities. When a full 12 months have passed without a period, then the woman has transitioned from perimenopause to menopause.
- Pregnancy: A missed period is one of the first things women watch for if they think they might be pregnant. If your period is late, then pregnancy could be the cause. Pregnancy is still possible even if you use contraception, so this cause of a missed period shouldn’t be ruled out. Sexually-active women can use at-home pregnancy tests if a period is missed.
- Stress: When you are experiencing high, prolonged stress in your life, it can have a domino effect on hormone levels and other aspects that affect your menstrual cycle. Stress can have differing effects on a woman’s cycle such as causing her period to be shorter or longer than normal. Another possibility is that the period is missed because of chronic stress.
- Exercise: High levels of strenuous exercise can stress the body, causing a change in the menstrual cycle. For example, an athlete with low caloric intake and high activity could experience period irregularity or no periods.
- Weight Loss: A period might be missed if a woman experiences significant weight loss, especially when the weight loss happens in a short amount of time. Additionally, low body fat ratios can change hormonal levels, which can cause ovulation or menstruation to stop. Significant weight loss might be connected with poor nutrition, which can also play a role in the menstrual cycle. For example, menstruation might begin again when the necessary minerals and vitamins are added back into the diet.
- Overweight: Being underweight isn’t the only concern that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle; it is also possible for obesity to affect hormone levels. Women with a BMI of 30 or more who are experiencing irregular cycles should talk to a doctor about hormone balancing and weight loss options.
- PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) plays a role in both weight gain and hormone balancing. This condition is one of the most common concerns affecting women in their childbearing years. PCOS often results in irregular periods, as well as the development of cysts, excessive body and facial hair, acne, and male-pattern baldness.
When Should I Be Concerned?
How do you know when it is time to talk to a doctor about a missed period? It’s important to have an open conversation with your healthcare providers, especially since a missed period could be an indication of another health concern.
For best results, start tracking your menstrual cycles. Create a written record that includes start and end dates, as well as other symptoms such as cervical fluid, pain, discomfort, or anything else that might be related to your fertility. This record can be kept in written form, such as tracking on a calendar. Or, you might prefer to use a digital resource, such as an app.
This record can be helpful for the doctor to see the patterns and identify an accurate diagnosis. Then, the right treatment plan can be identified if needed.
Watch for these symptoms, which could indicate the need to talk to a gynecologist:
- Multiple missed periods in recent months
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
- High levels of stress
- Positive pregnancy test
- Symptoms of PCOS
How to Address a Missed Period
What should you do if you miss a period? There’s no reason to panic – instead, recognize that changes are happening within your body. This change could be the result of pregnancy, or your hormone cycles could be affected by other factors listed above.
If your period is late, then it’s important to observe your recent lifestyle changes. Is there anything you can pinpoint that might be affecting fluctuations in your hormone levels? This awareness is important so you can bring it up with your doctor during your next appointment.
Seeing patterns in your cycle will help you get a better idea of how your lifestyle is influencing your period. These patterns can help you determine the most effective solutions to help with hormone balancing, which can affect the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
Can I Still Get Pregnant?
While irregular periods or missed periods can be concerning and inconvenient, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve missed your window for pregnancy. Sometimes, the underlying hormonal problems can make it a little more difficult to conceive, which is why it is important to talk to your doctor about these irregularities. Identifying the underlying reasons for the hormonal changes can be an essential step in addressing the lifestyle factors that influence fertility and conception.
Rest assured knowing that many women with menstrual irregularity have been able to get pregnant and complete successful pregnancies. A missed period doesn’t necessarily mean infertility. But, fewer periods during the year also mean that ovulation is infrequent – which reduces the number of opportunities for pregnancy. Read more at Ovulation Calendar & Calculator.
When the menstrual irregularity shifts and menstruation stops in menopause, then a woman is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. Women over the age of 50 who have experienced a full year without a period are no longer able to get pregnant since menopause is a sign that her eggs are no longer available.
Regardless of your age, the best solution is to talk to a doctor for personal recommendations. The regularity or irregularity of your cycle could be an indication of overall health and fertility. A women’s health specialist can offer recommendations to help with hormone balancing and more.
