Why
Is My Period Late?
Although, pregnancy is the
most common cause of absence of period or menstruation
(amenorrhea), many times, the women will also assure me
that they are definitely not pregnant. So, what else can
cause an absence of menstruation?
1. Are you breastfeeding your
baby? Breastfeeding mothers will often experience
amenorrhea; however ovulation may still occur and
pregnancy is possible even without menstruation.
2. Are you experiencing an
unusual amount of stress in your life? Emotional stress is
another possible cause of absence of menstruation.
Eliminating the stress usually will cause menstruation to
resume.
3. What kind of medications
are you currently taking? Certain medications such as
contraceptives (oral, implanted, and injected), oral
corticosteriods, antidepressants, antipsychotics, thyroid,
and some chemotherapy drugs may cause amenorrhea for some
women.
4. You could have a hormonal
imbalance. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common form of
hormonal imbalance which may cause amenorrhea, as well as
other symptoms that can include the other extreme with
excessive bleeding (menorrhagia).
5. Do you eat a healthy,
well-balanced diet? Women who are malnourished or
extremely underweight often experience amenorrhea. This
occurs often in women with eating disorders such as
anorexia or bulimia.
6. How much do you workout?
Do you dance or engage in sports? Vigorous exercise or
athletic training can cause amenorrhea.
7. Have you had your thyroid
checked? Millions of Americans suffer from undiagnosed
thyroid disease -- another possibility that should be
explored by your physician.
8. Do you have a chronic
illness? If you have a chronic illness, or have been sick
for an extended period, your menstrual cycle may be
temporarily delayed. Once your body is well your period
will usually return.
9. Although rare, a pituitary
tumor (a usually benign tumor) can cause an overproduction
of prolactin which can interfere with the regulation of
your menstrual cycle.
If you have missed 3 or more
menstrual cycles, and you haven't already sought
professional medical advice, it's time to seek medical
care to determine the underlying cause.
Only a qualified health care provider can determine the
cause of amenorrhea.
