So your period is late, yet you know you’re not pregnant. Perhaps you’ve missed a period in the past and wondered why. A period which is delayed more than 5 days is considered late. If your period doesn’t come after 6 weeks of starting your last period it is considered missed.
Occasionally late periods happen, missed periods are not unheard of either. Just because either of these have happened doesn’t mean you are pregnant or in fact ever were. There can be numerous reasons this has happened. From hormonal imbalances through to underlying medical issues. I will highlight a few common reasons and when perhaps its best to contact your doctor or seek medical advice.
When is it considered normal to have a missed period?
There are two common times which can lead to late or irregular periods. Firstly, when you have only just started getting your period (the begginning of puberty) . apart from puberty another common time is menopause. If you are pre-menopausal or going through menopause this is often related to late and missed periods. Other than the addition of pregnancy to these two indicators it may mean seeking medical advice.
Is It Possible To Miss A Period For A Whole Month?
well the short answer is yes. As I mentioned above a missed period is regularly something other than pregnancy. Common instances include; stress, low body weight and anorexia, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), use of birth control, certain chronic diseases, early perimenopause and thyroid issues.
Is 3 Months of Missed Periods Okay?
Missing your period for over 3 months is known as amenorrhea. This again can happen for a number of reasons but the majority of which indicate a medical issue or are related to pregnancy.
Natural causes include menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and certain lifestyle factors including stress and excessive exercising and severe weight loss. I know I experienced this when going through issues with anorexia and eating disorders. You may also experience this is you have recently stopped birth control pills.
medical conditions which cause interruptions to hormonal balances can mislead periods too. some examples are PCOS, thyroid gland disorders and pituitary gland disorders.
Some genetic disorders can interrupt your menstruation cycle. Some people miss periods due to medications such as antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, and medicines for hypertension.
When to see a Doctor/ Medical Professional?
Firstly if you have missed your period 3 or more times in one year. secondly if you get periods more frequently that every 21 days. If you get a period more frequently than every 35 days. When you have heavy bleeding lasting longer than 7 days. If your bleeding is heavier than normal and if you have severe pain during your period.
In Conclusion
It can be normal to miss the odd period here and there due to medications, stress and exercise. But if your period changes, or it is missed or you’re just concerned it is worth raising the issue with your GP or medical professional next time you’re in for a visit.