Some women have missed periods, while others have vaginal bleeding or spotting. In addition to the use of an IUD, other factors that are associated with ectopic pregnancy include:. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition. Seek medical attention right away if you miss your period and think you might be at risk. Missing a period every once in a while is usually not cause for concern. That said, you should see a healthcare provider if you miss more than one period, or your missed period is accompanied by new or unusual symptoms.
Seek medical attention right away if you also experience any of the following:. There are many reasons for late periods, and while most are not cause for alarm, you do need an evaluation and treatment if you have completely missed more than one period. How your missed periods are treated depends on why you aren't having your period. The treatment can include lifestyle changes, such as diet or stress reduction, or may involve hormone replacement therapy.
Healthcare providers usually ask women when they had their last period. However, many women simply don't keep track of their period, and in some cases, they may be too busy to notice they missed a period at all. If this sounds like you, consider placing a red dot on period days in your calendar. You can also download a "period tracker" app for your smartphone to make tracking your menstrual cycle much easier.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause.
BMC Womens Health. Berz K, Mccambridge T. Amenorrhea in the female athlete: What to do and when to worry. Pediatr Ann. Blood biomarker profiling and monitoring for high-performance physiology and nutrition: Current perspectives, limitations, and recommendations.
Sports Medicine. Neuroendocrine causes of amenorrhea—an update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Evaluation and management of amenorrhea related to congenital sex hormonal disorders. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. Night shift among women: Is it associated with difficulty conceiving a first birth? Front Public Health. Medical complications of anorexia nervosa. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. Rosenfield RL. Clinical review: Adolescent anovulation: maturational mechanisms and implications.
Santoro N. Perimenopause: From research to practice. J Womens Health Larchmt. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. If you participate in endurance sports , you may miss periods or stop menstruating. Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and keep track of your periods. Tell your doctor about any changes in your menstrual periods. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:.
Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Missed or Irregular Periods. Topic Overview Most women have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods each year. If you are not pregnant, other causes of missed or irregular periods include: Excessive weight loss or gain.
Although low body weight is a common cause of missed or irregular periods, obesity also can cause menstrual problems. Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. For more information, see the topic Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. Increased exercise. Missed periods are common in endurance athletes. Emotional stress. Medicines such as birth control methods, which may cause lighter, less frequent, more frequent, or skipped periods or no periods at all.
Hormone problems. This may cause a change in the levels of the hormones that the body needs to support menstruation. Illegal drug use. Problems with the pelvic organs , such as imperforate hymen , polycystic ovary syndrome , or Asherman's syndrome. Many women do not resume regular periods until they have completed breastfeeding. Check Your Symptoms Have you missed any periods, or have your periods been irregular?
Irregular means different than what is normal for you more or less often, longer or shorter, heavier or lighter.
How old are you? Less than 15 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female".
This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Are you pregnant? Yes, you know that you're pregnant. No, you're not pregnant, or you're not sure if you're pregnant. Do you have symptoms of shock? Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy, like you are going to faint? It's normal for some people to feel a little lightheaded when they first stand up. But anything more than that may be serious. Do you have new pain in your lower belly, pelvis, or genital area that is different than your usual menstrual cramps?
How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine? The stress that intense physical activity places on your body can affect the hormones responsible for your periods.
Losing too much body fat through intense exercise can also stop you ovulating. You'll be advised to reduce your level of activity if excessive exercise has caused your periods to stop. If you're a professional athlete, you may benefit from seeing a doctor who specialises in sports medicine.
They'll be able to give you advice about how to maintain your performance without disrupting your periods. You might miss a period every so often if you're taking the contraceptive pill. This is not usually a cause for concern. Some types of contraception , such as the progestogen-only pill POP , contraceptive injection and intrauterine system IUS , particularly Mirena, can cause periods to stop altogether.
You may start missing periods as you approach the menopause. This is because oestrogen levels start to decrease, and ovulation becomes less regular. After the menopause, your periods stop completely. The menopause is a natural part of ageing in women, which usually happens between the ages of 45 and The average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51 in the UK.
However, around 1 in women go through the menopause before the age of This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure. Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of harmless follicles, which are underdeveloped sacs in which eggs develop.
If you have PCOS , these sacs are often unable to release an egg, which means ovulation does not take place. The condition is responsible for as many as 1 in 3 cases of stopped periods. See your GP if you're not pregnant — you've had a negative pregnancy test — and you've missed more than 3 periods in a row. If you're sexually active and you have not taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one. Many love the pill because it makes their periods so regular.
But it can sometimes have the opposite effect, especially during the first few months of use. Similarly, when you stop taking the pill, it can take a few months for your cycle to get back to normal. As your body returns to its baseline hormone levels, you may miss your period for a few months. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. It typically starts in your mid- to late forties. Perimenopause lasts for about four years before your period stops completely.
For many, missed periods are the first sign of perimenopause. You may skip a period one month and be back on track for the following three. Or, you may skip your period three months in a row and find that it arrives unexpectedly, often lighter or heavier than you are accustomed to. Early menopause, also known as premature ovarian failure , happens when your ovaries stop working before you turn As estrogen levels drop to all-time lows, you will begin to experience the symptoms of menopause.
Late or missed periods may be an early sign. You may also experience hot flashes, night sweats, and trouble sleeping. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones that help regulate many activities in your body, including your menstrual cycle.
There are several common thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
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