Why My Period Is Late? 10 Possible Reasons that Aren't Pregnancy
TheIndonesia.id - Late periods are often associated with early signs of pregnancy. In fact, there are other conditions that cause delinquent menstruation besides pregnancy.
Every woman has a different menstrual cycle, generally every 21 to 35 days or 28 days for a normal cycle.
Late menstruation can be caused by a hormonal imbalance or certain serious medical conditions. Here are the 10 causes of a late period.
1. The use of Birth Control
Using hormonal birth control containing hormones can cause a late period or even no period. One example is the use of birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs.
After stopping the use of birth control, it takes a long time for the menstrual cycle to return to normal.
2. Consumption of Certain Drugs
Certain medications such as antidepressants, thyroid medications, anticonvulsants, and drugs used in chemotherapy can cause delayed menstrual cycles.
3. Obesity
Being overweight can cause hormonal imbalances, which disrupt the menstrual cycle. According to the research, women with a 35-30 body mass index tend to experience problems in their menstrual cycle.
4. Stress
Stress can cause several diseases to hormonal imbalances. This can affect the menstrual cycle schedule.
In addition, stress will affect the work of the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle. To prevent this, do relaxation techniques and regular exercise.
5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) disorder is a condition that causes a woman's body to produce androgen hormones, which disrupt the menstrual cycle. PCOS can cause cysts to form on the ovaries, making the ovulation irregular or even stopping altogether.
6. Eating Disorders
Diseases such as anorexia and bulimia can be the cause of late menstruation. A study proves that a body weight that is 10% below the normal line will disrupt the balance of hormones and the ovulation system.
7. Chronic Disease
Diseases related to hormonal changes can often affect a person's period cycle. For example, diabetes results in unstable blood sugar changes.
Celiac disease which causes inflammation or damage to the small intestine also makes the body unable to absorb essential nutrients and results in delayed menstrual cycles.
8. Thyroid Problems
One of the causes of late menstruation is an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid works to regulate the body's metabolism including hormone levels.
9. Smoking
Harmful substances such as nicotine in cigarettes can affect the balance of estrogen and progesterone hormones in the body. These two hormones play an important role in a person's menstrual cycle.
10. Menopause
Menopause or the cessation of the menstrual cycle occurs between the ages of 45 to 55 years. However, there are also women who experience symptoms of early menopause, around the age of 40. Menopause will stop the release of egg cells, making the menstrual cycle late and eventually stopping altogether.
Late menstrual cycles are actually not a serious symptom. Try to maintain your diet, change your lifestyle, and be active.
Even so, you should immediately consult a doctor if there are several other symptoms besides late menstruation, such as:
- Heavy bleeding for more than seven days
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Menstruation does not come within 90 days to 1 year
It's a good idea to record changes in your menstrual cycle every month to make it easier for your doctor to diagnose your condition.
