Delayed Menstruation In Non-Pregnant Women: Exploring Causes Beyond Pregnancy

Aside from pregnancy, missed or late periods can occur for a variety of reasons. Find out the other key reasons why your menstruation may be late.

Causes For Delayed Periods Beyond Pregnancy

Stress And Anxiety: Chronic stress may disrupt your hormones, alter your daily pattern, and even damage the hypothalamus, the area of your brain responsible for regulating your period. Stress can lead to sickness or rapid changes in body weight that can disrupt your monthly cycle. If you suspect stress is interfering with your menstrual cycle, consider relaxation techniques and lifestyle adjustments. Chronic stress can also have an impact on other health concerns you have, so dealing with it on your own or with the support of a medical expert is a vital aspect of caring for your overall health.  (Image source: Canva)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): People with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance that affects their overall health and appearance, as well as developing ovarian cysts. This can cause a person's periods to become erratic or cease completely. PCOS affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age and may result in enlarged ovaries with clusters of tiny, benign cysts.  (Image source: Canva)

Excessive Exercise: Amenorrhoea is frequent among athletes who exercise vigorously. Intense activity causes the body to release stress hormones, which can disrupt the synthesis of reproductive hormones and result in irregular or skipped periods. Long-distance running and rigorous dance are more likely to produce amenorrhoea than other types of exercise.  (Image source: Canva)

Hormonal Birth Control: Hormonal birth control works by inhibiting ovulation; thus, a person's period may alter, such as being early, late, or stopping entirely.  (Image source: Canva)

Obesity: In the same way that being underweight can produce hormonal abnormalities, being overweight might create irregularities. Obesity can lead to an excess production of oestrogen, an important reproductive hormone. Too much oestrogen might disrupt your cycle and perhaps stop your periods completely.  (Image source: Canva)

Thyroid Issues: Late or skipped periods may be caused by an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland governs your body's metabolism; therefore, hormone levels might be altered. Thyroid problems are generally managed with medicine. Following therapy, your menstruation is likely to resume its typical cycle.  (Image source: Canva)

Overproduction Of Prolactin During Breastfeeding: Prolactin is a hormone that the body normally produces when nursing. It can impact menstruation. and the reason why most people who breastfeed do not get periods. Periods usually return when a person stops nursing. A milky discharge from the nipples might indicate that the body is producing an excessively high level of prolactin in persons who are not nursing. (Image source: Canva)

Inputs By: Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynecologist, Obstetrician, and IVF Expert, Nurture IVF Clinic, New Delhi (Image source: ABP Live AI)