8 Reasons You Missed Your Period

(Other than Pregnancy)

You might think that a missed period is a sure sign of pregnancy, right? Not necessarily. We all get stressed out when our periods are late, even those of us who haven’t had sex recently for pregnancy to be possible. This is because missed periods are usually associated with pregnancy. While pregnancy is the first thing you’ll be encouraged to test for when your period is late or missed, pregnancy is not always to blame for your eggs playing hide and seek choma. Here are some of  the possible reasons why:

Stress

Stress is one of the most common reasons for missing a period. Stress negatively affects your health in a number of ways. You might find that you also experience stomach problems, headaches or weight problems due to poor eating habits when you’re stressed. Choma, it is also important to note that while you are stressed, your sexual reproductive health is affected. If you’re dealing with something huge or traumatic in your life at the time of your missed period, stress can be a factor.

Thyroid Problem

The thyroid gland is a gland in your neck that is responsible for the release of hormones, which controls metabolism and growth. If you develop any type of thyroid imbalance, meaning that your thyroid overproduces or underproduces hormones, this could affect your period. If you have irregular periods, it is vital to talk to your healthcare provider  about any other symptoms you might be experiencing. In this way, possible thyroid problems can be detected and treated quickly. 

Illness

Did you feel sick a week or two before your period was due? Did you perhaps have a cold or flu? Choma, illness is just another form of stress that could have caused your missed period. Your period should return to normal by  your next cycle if this is true for you. If you have missed your period a few times, speak to a healthcare provider about it so that they can assess whether an  illness is affecting your sexual reproductive health. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a rare hormone imbalance that causes a lack of ovulation (link to “menstruation terms” article here). PCOS affects your hormones and alters the levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone (link to menstruation terms here). Choma, did you know that having PCOS can cause you to miss your period completely or result in irregular periods?The symptoms of PCOS can also include hair growth in places like your face and chest. It could make it difficult for you to lose weight and even cause  fertility issues. However, it’s best to seek your healthcare provider first. You can read more about PCOS here choma.

Weight Loss or Too Much Exercise

When you lose or gain  weight quickly, your hormones may dip or increase and this imbalance can cause you to miss your period. The same is true with exercising choma; if you are suddenly exercising more than usual, you could also miss your period. This is because exercising is also a form of stress on your body that could prevent your body from producing enough oestrogen in order for you to ovulate. Pace yourself with your exercise routine choma and make sure that you have a well-balanced diet as well, in order to maintain a healthy weight.

Birth Control Pills

Choma while some medication can mess with your cycle, the most common culprit  are your birth control pills. There are some low-dose birth control pills that cause you to miss a period, which is usually just a harmless side effect. Other birth control methods that might cause you to miss your period are hormonal IUDs, implants or the injection. It is important to note that it often takes some time for your period to come back once you've stopped birth control, but it will usually resume within a few months. The emergency pill can also cause you to miss a period in addition to other side effects. Read more on the most common side effects of birth control pills here.

Substance Abuse

Consuming too much alcohol, smoking too much and using drugs places huge amounts of stress on your body. Over time, this may result in irregular or missed periods. If you are engaging in this type of behaviour for long enough, the physical stress on your body could even lead to your eggs dying. This might even lead to early menopause.  Which brings me to the last reason choma.

These are only a few reasons that you might miss your period that may not be due to pregnancy.. But remember not to jump to conclusions when you miss your period, and always test for pregnancy first to be on the safe side  It’s also important to regularly seek a healthcare provider at your nearest clinic to talk to them about some of your worries. Some contraceptives such as the pill can also assist to ensure that you have your period monthly. Remember to send me a question via Ask Choma if you have any concerns or questions.