Menstruating regularly is a blessing and a curse, you may suffer through PMS, cramps, mood swings, bloating, and other symptoms. Any irregularities can make us anxious, especially when you are not trying to get pregnant, it can be stressful causing other health issues related to stress. You can relax a little, because there are many things that can be responsible for irregularity and late periods. Here they are:
• Stress
Stress can destroy your whole body from the inside, even your menstrual cycle is a victim of stress. When we are stressed the amount of hormones in our body is reduced which disrupts ovulation and the menstrual cycle. Consult your doctor and get help from your loved ones to relax and reduce stress, this may take several months.
• Excessive Exercise
If you are an athlete or in training this can be the cause of your late periods. This is called amenorrhea and is induced by excess exercise.
• Being overweight/underweight
Being overweight causes complications in your menstrual cycle because fat cells produce extra estrogen, your body may not recognize the spike responsible for causing ovulation. Some months you may ovulate and some months you may not. You may find regularity and less severe periods if you lose some of the extra pounds.
Being underweight also disrupts your periods and may cause your periods to just stop. It causes your estrogen levels to decrease to the point where you cannot ovulate. Gaining some weight will help you get back to a normal menstrual cycle.
• Thyroid Irregularity
The thyroid gland, is responsible for regulating your metabolism it interacts with other systems in the body for smooth running and functioning. If you are suffering from any type of thyroid problem (hypo- or hyperthyroidism), it can hamper your menstrual cycle. Consult your doctor if you notice symptoms of thyroid problems.
• Hormonal Imbalance
Polycystic Ovary Symptom (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance which occurs due to lack of ovulation and alterations in testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. The regularity of the menstrual cycle depends upon the severity and level of imbalance. You may completely miss your periods says Alyssa Dweck, M.D., co-author of V is for lady part. You may identity PCOS through other symptoms like growth of hair on chest and face, difficulty losing weight, and potential issues with fertility.
• Birth control pills
Another reason for missing periods can be your birth control pills. There is nothing to worry about. Sometimes it takes time for your periods to return even if you have stopped taking them. Other birth control methods like hormonal IUDs, shots, or implants may also be responsible for late or missed periods.
• Wrong Calculation
The average menstrual cycle of 28 days is not right for every woman, it can vary greatly. Those who have a longer cycle may miscalculate and expect their period before it’s due. If you have irregular periods but you know when you ovulate, expect your period 2 weeks after you ovulate, this might help you correct your calculations.
• Other Factors
There are other reasons you may miss your periods including illness, a change in routine or schedule, changes in medications, and perimenopause. Perimenopause is when you enter a non-reproductive age from the reproductive age. At this point of time you may experience lighter, heavier, less frequent, or more frequent periods, there is still a chance you are fertile at this time, don’t stop taking precautions.
