If you have a regular period and menstruation cycles are like clockwork, being late even for a few days make can make you worry. Even if you know that there really is no point to worrying about a pregnancy scare. It is easy to jump to conclusions and assume. If you are trying to conceive, then this can be a great sign for you. However, if you are someone who isn’t trying to get pregnant. It can cause you to worry and be confused with your current situation. To help you out, here are a few possible reasons for why you might have missed your period or why it is late. Here they are below.
Pregnancy
The first thing you want to rule out is pregnancy. If there is something to worry about or if you know there is a little chance that you are pregnant, then test it out to make sure. Some early symptoms of pregnancy can mimic the same effect as PMS. It can be difficult to point out which is which. Even if you did use a contraceptive there is still a possibility that it is a bun in the oven. If your period is late, try buying a home pregnancy test. To get the most accurate result take it a week after your expected menstruation date. However, some pregnancy test can detect it sooner. So, try it out. This a huge worry to get off of your shoulder.
Stress
Stress can greatly affect our health and have multiple effects on our body. Some people experience acne, weight loss, weight gain, headaches, mood swings and fatigue – it can also cause your PMS symptoms to worsen and even stop menstruation. When our body and mind is under a lot of stress it produces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. The sudden increase of these hormones affects how the brain function, this in turn affects how the body function. This can affect your cycle and delay your period. However, most people get their period back as soon as the cause of the stress is removed. Try doing some meditation or relaxing activity when your period is late due to stress.
Weight Changes
Your weight can affect how your hypothalamus functions. This is a gland in our brain that is helping regulate different processes in the body. This includes your menstrual cycle. Sudden weight loss or weight gain can affect your cycle. Low caloric intake or being incredibly underweight affects the hypothalamus. This causes it to affect the production of estrogen. This hormone is needed to build the lining of our uterus. People that also have eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia experience low estrogen levels, causing late periods and for some to stop completely. Being overweight or gain huge amount of weight in a short period of time can also produce too much estrogen. This overproduction can cause problems with ovulation or cause the lining to overgrow and be unstable. This can cause irregular and heavy periods. You can regain your normal cycle of gaining weight if you are underweight or losing weight if you are overweight. People with eating disorders or have lost their period for a long period of time may regain their period a lot longer than others since the body is not able to recuperate as fast as it used to before the disorder. Excessive exercise can also have the same effect on the body.
Change in Schedule
Some people experience missing their period after sudden shifting of their schedule. If you are someone that used to work night shift and suddenly goes into being a morning person or if you suddenly travel to another country, then this can be the cause of your late period. The sudden change can affect your hormones causing delayed period. Once your body is able to adjust to the change, your cycle will go back to normal.
Thyroid Problems
Our thyroid is responsible for our metabolism. If it does not function properly, it can cause abnormal menstrual cycles. Hyperthyroidism can cause lighter and less periods while hypothyroidism can cause heavier but less frequent periods. You will need a blood test to diagnose this problem.
Missing your period can be a scary experience, but try not to jump into conclusion. Do not assume the worst and find out for real. If you experience a sudden change in your period or a different severity of your PMS symptom go check in with your health care provider. They will be able to pinpoint the cause for your late or missed period. They can also help give you’re the right treatment, advice, or medication to keep everything back on track. If you experience some of the possible reasons above, what did you do to get your period back on track? Share it with us.
