For many women, a late period brings about thoughts of pregnancy. The reality is that there are often many reasons why women experience delayed periods. The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 to 35 days, but many women experience periods more frequently and less often based on a number of factors. Some women experience periods that are totally inconsistent.
Are you a woman who feels that her period is perpetually late? There could be an underlying issue causing this. Here are a few factors that influence menstrual cycle.
If you have experienced intense stress this month that could very well be the reason why your period is late. Doctors believe that a period could be delayed because of elevated levels of hormones like prolactin in the body.
There are a few ways you may be able to combat stress affecting your period. Some women find that exercise and meditation can influence their stress levels. Your doctor may be able to provide additional solutions to high-stress levels.
Women who exercise often may influence the way the brain communicates with the uterus. Overtraining can lead to a condition called amenorrhea, a lack of periods. This condition may happen simply because the body is not producing estrogen the way it should be.
It is important to talk to your doctor about how exercise may be impacting your menstrual cycle, especially as women who over train may be at higher risk for bone conditions like osteoporosis in the future.
While birth control pills are known to change your cycle, you might not realize that IUD could have a similar effect. Your body may need time to adjust to new forms of contraception, and some forms of birth control are meant to decrease how often you have your period. If knowing the side effects of your birth control can help you, discuss them with a doctor.
Women who are considered underweight with a body mass index lower than 17 may have less estrogen in their bodies. Estrogen levels can delay your period. Like overtraining, being underweight may also initiate amenorrhea.
On the other side of the spectrum, women with a body mass index higher than 30 may also experience irregular periods. Excess fat storage may mean that there is more estrogen in the body, confusing signals and possibly even inhibiting ovulation.
If you are a teenager, your menstrual cycle could still be relatively abnormal. Cycles tend to even out by the time women hit their 20s.
In the final years before menopause, you may also feel your cycle changing. Estrogen levels tend to fluctuate significantly as you near your 40s because the body is preparing to change.
Sometimes a late period may be related to medical issues, often polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with this condition may have higher levels of testosterone, often inhibiting ovulation.
If you think you might have PCOS, it is important to let your doctor know.
Finally, it may be hard to come to terms with the fact that there is often no reason why some women experience late periods. This answer is frustrating, but it is also sometimes true. There is still so much that doctors and researchers are learning about the mysteries of the menstrual cycle.
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contact us to learn more about your options.
