Are you worried about your period getting late? And you are sure that you are not pregnant. Then why is it happening?
In this article, we will tell you the reasons for the late period. To know them, keep reading.
Your period normally occurs in 28 to 35 days. If it gets later than that, it may show some underlying health condition. When you don’t get a period for over three months, the condition is called amenorrhea.
Your periods can get late because of various reasons, and hormonal imbalance is the common one. Apart from pregnancy, you may get your periods late at two times of life, when it is normal too, one when you get it and second when you are reaching menopause.
When you are reaching menopause, the condition is known as perimenopause. At this stage, your menstrual cycle may become irregular.
If you have got your periods late, and you know you are not pregnant, you must consult with a healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can visit the Best Gynecologist in Karachi.
What Causes Late Period?
Your periods can become late because of reasons such as:
Stress
Stress can affect your hormones that can lead to late periods. When you are stressed, your body secretes a hormone called cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, that causes your periods to become late.
When you are stressed, you may end up gaining or losing too much weight rapidly. It can also, in turn, cause your periods to become late.
If you think your periods are late due to stress, practice stress-relieving tips such as reading, listening to music, and journaling. However, if it remains for a long time and does not go on its own, you must consult with a psychologist.
Low Body Weight
Having low body weight according to your body mass index can cause missed periods. It often happens because of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
To return to your normal cycle, you need to eat well and gain weight.
Heavy Exercise
Women who take part in heavy exercises or marathons may get missed periods. It often happens when they eat less and burn more, and their body can not meet the caloric requirements of their body.
When your body does not meet the caloric requirement of your body, it does not prepare the body for a possible pregnancy, hence no periods occur.
Obesity or Overweight
Not only being underweight but also being overweight or obese can affect your periods. When you have too much weight, your body eventually produces too much estrogen hormone- the reproductive hormone that affects the periods.
To normalize your menstrual cycle, you need to lose weight and eat healthily.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOs is a disorder of the reproductive system in which a cyst forms inside the ovary. It occurs because of hormone imbalance, which can cause a stop in ovulation.
In PCOs, your insulin levels may also get disrupted. You may need to take insulin sensitizers. Your healthcare providers will prescribe medications to relieve symptoms.
Birth Control
Changing birth control methods can cause irregular periods. It may take around six months for your periods to get regular on a new contraceptive method.
Many birth control pills contain estrogen and progesterone hormone that prevent ovulation, which can, in turn, affect periods.
Early Menopause
Before menopause, your menstrual cycle may become irregular- a stage known as perimenopause. Your body is going towards menopause. It happens because your egg supply is going down by the time.
Thyroid Issues
Thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can affect your periods. Along with that, it can cause various symptoms.
The Bottom Line
Missed periods can be a sign of some underlying health condition. Not getting periods for too long can affect your fertility. Therefore, you must take it seriously.
If you have a complaint about missed periods, you must consult with a healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can visit the Best Gynecologist in Islamabad.
