A menstrual cycle that’s off schedule can be a sign of some underlying health issues apart from pregnancy. Everybody thinks that they are pregnant when their period is late or they skip a period. However, there are several reasons for a missed or late period. Here are five reasons to consider if you missed your period lately:
1. Birth Control
Women taking extended-cycle birth control pills won’t experience menstruation on a typical 28-day cycle. Extended birth control pills work for 91-days, which means your period will come every three months. If you are taking hormonal birth control pills like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the Depo-Provera shot, you might experience irregular or late periods.
2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a medical condition where the ovaries have more follicles than usual. Check out for the classic symptoms of PCOS:
- Excess Weight Gain
- Increased levels of male hormones like androgen, which can cause thick hair growth on the face and breasts.
However, these symptoms are not enough to determine whether or not you have PCOS. Visit an OBGYN in case you have missed or late periods lately.
3. Stress
When you have higher levels of cortisol, it can affect the hormones that cause ovulation and periods. The best remedy to this is to manage your stress before it’s out of control. You might want to consider these simple steps for natural stress relief:
- Get that extra hour of sleep if you need it
- Go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes
- Enjoy a warm cup of Chamomile tea
- Diffuse some lavender oil in your room
- Take care of your emotional health
4. Perimenopause
Women generally experience menopause at the age of 51. However, some women can go through a transitional period known as perimenopause during their 40s. This can cause women to experience delayed periods that are 38 or 40 days apart.
5. Diabetes & Thyroid
Sometimes diabetes and hypothyroidism can cause irregular periods. You might want to get a T3, T4, TSH test if you are suspecting a Thyroid imbalance. To check your insulin resistance and diabetes, your doctor might recommend an HbA1c test and fasting glucose sugar.
Apart from these reasons, if you are planning to get pregnant, you will be missing your period. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, get a diagnosis from your OBGYN.
