The normal period cycle varies between 21 to 35 days. However, the process may also affect if a woman has any medical or sexual dysfunction or diseases. A delayed period can also be a result of using a medication. For that reason, if your cycle is late (usually considered after 6 weeks), talk with your gynaecologist for a well-working remedy. If you don’t have any identified reason for the delay of your menses, it may generally vary between 21 days to 35 days. Nevertheless, if your flow usually returns in 28 days, but you get it in 29-30 days, it may be late for you. Similarly, if you get your period after 33 days, experiencing it after 35-36 days may be delayed for you. After 42 days counting from your last ovulation, your cycle is considered delayed or late.
In these scenarios, you do not need to worry. It is normal to occur, and various causes can be guilty of it. These causes may vary from your lifestyle to severe health and sexual conditions.
In such cases, it is better to consult with your gynaecologist for an opinion. She may rule out the possible cause responsible for your problem and begin your treatment. However, a delayed period can also be an outcome of using a pill. Mention this while discussing your issue with a gynaecologist.
What can affect your menstrual cycle?
There can be various causes responsible for the delayed monthly flow. These may vary from your lifestyle and eating habits to chronic health conditions. Common reasons for your problem can be the following-
Using birth control pills
Many women like to use birth control pills to avoid unwanted pregnancy. These medications can also ease heavy flow and other symptoms like pelvic pain, anxiety, and breast tenderness. However, the opposite can happen in some cases, particularly in the initial months of usage. Some medications can also act as period delay tablets (a mini pill containing progestin). Therefore, be careful while using them.
If you discontinue these tablets, your body takes some time to regularize your menses. As your body adjusts and gets back to normal hormonal levels, you may miss your periods for some months.
Using other contraceptive methods like intrauterine devices (IUD), shots, or implants, you may experience a delayed period for a considerable time.
Increased intensity of your workout
A heavy exercise routine can cause a pause in your period cycle. It can be due to burning more calories than you are taking in. The flaming of too many calories affects the functioning of other body functions. Consequently, your body secretes more hormones, leading to a late monthly flow.
In general, your menses may return to normal once you do workouts according to your body requirements and efficiency. Moreover, you can also improve your cycle by intaking more calories.
Thyroid dysfunction
The thyroid gland is one of the crucial parts of the human body. It helps balance various functions, including that of your period cycle. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) are the two main conditions of thyroid disease. Both of these conditions can affect your menstruation. However, an overactive condition is more likely to influence your menses. This condition makes your body consume or burn more calories as it produces extra hormones than what is necessary for your body. Some women can experience a delayed period for various months due to this disorder.
Other signs and symptoms of thyroid diseases can be the following-
- Anxiety
- Heart palpitation
- Sleeplessness
- Hand tremors
- Change in hunger
- Fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss or gain
- Hair conditions
Pregnancy
If you haven’t used something to your period and your menses are late for an unknown reason, pregnancy can be a cause. A pregnancy test can help you confirm the case. You can do it at home or consult your healthcare provider for the same.
Nevertheless, remember to take the test about 7 days before the expected date of your period. Testing too early can result in a negative result even if you are heavy with a child. An immediate examination cannot detect the hormone of pregnancy in the urine.
Stress
Hypothalamus is a body part that is responsible for triggering stress and happiness. If you are not under stress right now, you may still live like before. Your brain informs your endocrine gland to secrete hormones responsible for stress and neutral action or mode. These internal secretions also stop certain functions, including reproductive functions.
It can affect the ovulation process, resulting in a late or delayed period if you are anxious.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
This disease occurs when cysts grow over the ovaries. As a result, many problems can arise. It usually results due to uneven secretion of reproductive hormones. Moreover, many women with polycystic ovary syndrome may not have their menses on time. If you are using something to delay your period, consider discussing it with your doctor.
Other menstrual problems due to PCOS are as follows-
- Untimely spotting or bleeding
- Heavy or very light flow as compared to usual bleeding
- Periods may disappear completely
This disease can also cause other symptoms, such as the following-
- Dark patches on the skin, usually on the neck creases, beneath breasts, or groins
- Infertility
- Coarse or too much facial or body hairs
- Thinning of hairs
- Weight gain or unintended weight loss
Perimenopause
It is the phase when you are about to enter menopause. Perimenopause usually starts in the mid or late 40s and lasts for several years until your menstrual cycle stops altogether.
In some cases, missed monthly flow can be a sign of perimenopause if you are in your 40s. Some women may experience a delayed period for one month and have them for 4 consecutive months. On the other hand, some women may have the flow for three months and do not get it for the coming month. Menses can also occur unexpectedly, sometimes heavier or lighter than the usual flow.
Early menopause
Some women may suffer from early menopause. It happens when your ovaries stop ovulating before the age of 40. For this reason, the condition is also called premature ovarian insufficiency. Know that excessive use of something to delay your period can also result in early menopause.
When any reproductive organ does not work as they are supposed to do, your body may experience a deficiency of reproductive hormones, including oestrogen. The insufficiency of oestrogen may trigger early menopause and its signs. Nevertheless, the condition may show the following symptoms-
- Sweating at night
- Late or early menses
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Weight loss or weight gain
The changes in your body, including putting on weight or losing it suddenly or unexpectedly, can affect your menstrual cycle. Furthermore, it can disturb your hormonal balance resulting in a delayed period. Sometimes, the menstruation impedes altogether.
One of the parts of your brain may not work efficiently when you avoid some foods that are essential for your body. This part signals the endocrine gland to make reproductive hormones. However, when this contact track suffers, it may affect the production of hormones and affect your monthly flow.
Underlying disease
In some women, chronic health conditions like diabetes and celiac disease can cause an irregularity in your menstrual cycle.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that disturbs your digestive system. When someone with this disease eats gluten, the immune system starts harming the outer layer of the small intestine.
When your small intestine suffers damage, it tarnishes the ability of your body to soak up the nutrients from the food. The deficiency of the nutrients in the body can lead to malnourishment affecting the regular hormone production in the anatomy.
This condition causes a delay in menstruation and leads to other related disorders.
If you have such diseases, talk with your doctor before using any medications if you have experienced a delayed period.
In rare cases, women with diabetes can also face irregular monthly flow. It happens when you do not manage your blood sugar levels properly. Nevertheless, regulating your conditions with proper medications and lifestyle adjustments can ease your disease and regularize your usual period cycle.
