What is considered a delay

The ideal menstrual cycle (the period between menstruations, which is counted from the start of bleeding) for women is 28 days. In reality, however, a regular menstrual cycle can be 21 days or 40 days — and this is normalStopped or missed periods. Complete fluctuations in the cycle by a few days are also absolutely normal. And in fact, few women can say that their period comes exactly on time.

The cycle depends on many reasons, ranging from hormonal changes to simple stress.

If menstruation is delayed by seven days — this is not yet a delay, it is a normal variation of the cycle.

A delay can be considered anything longer than this period. Suppose you expected your period on the 3rd, but it is still not here on the 11th. This is already a delay.

If the period is absent for a long time, more than three months, then this is already amenorrheaAmenorrhea. And if for pregnant, nursing, and menopausal women this is normal, for everyone else — it is not.

Why menstruation may be delayed

Only a doctor can tell you exactly why this happened to you. But we will at least outline approximate options.

1. Pregnancy

The first option that comes to mind for a woman leading a sexual life is that the delay in her period is caused by pregnancy. Even the most reliable contraceptive methods have a margin of error, and something could have gone wrong.

2. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a situation where the fertilized egg does not reach the uterus and begins to develop directly in the fallopian tube. The tube is not adapted for this, and over time a rupture will occur. This is a life-threatening condition, but "home" tests cannot distinguish between regular and ectopic pregnancies, examination with ultrasound is needed here.

3. Adolescence

When menstruation is just beginning, it may be irregular. It takes time for everything to settle down — give your body six months to establish its cycle. If it does not stabilize in six months, see a gynecologist. It may just be a variant of the norm, but it doesn't hurt to check.

4. Approaching menopause

The age at which a woman reaches menopause (hormonal changes that stop the maturation of eggs and end the menstrual cycle) is quite individual. But usually, it is worth considering if you are already over 45 and your period is delayed and starts to come irregularlyMissed Periods — Premature Menopause?.

5. Intense sports activities

If you have not been doing anything for a long time and decided to get into shape with all possible eagerness, doing exercises every day and going to the gym several times a week, or if you are preparing for some competitions and have suddenly increased your loads, then the cycle may changeStopped or missed periods. Then the delay of menstruation is justified by the load on the body.

6. Weight changes

It does not matter why you lost weight. The best option is that you lost weight because you started exercising and have been striving for this for a long time. Worse if you tried a miracle diet or weight loss is related to diseases. In any case, weight loss can lead to a delay in menstruation and changes in the cycle.

If your body mass index has dropped belowStopped or missed periods 18.5, you need to see a doctor: either you have become too focused on weight loss, or something is wrong with your health.

The same applies to obesityPeriods: do I need a doctor?: it can make the cycle irregular, and you will worry about delays.

7. Stress

Menstruation may be delayed or arrive early if you have simply gotten too stressed out. It is understood that the stress must be significant. And this itself means that you need help to cope with it. So you will have to master simple relaxation techniques or go to a psychologist.

8. Diseases

Unfortunately, diseasesYour menstrual cycle can say a lot about your health. Understand how to start tracking your menstrual cycle and what to do about irregularities., which can cause a delay in menstruation, can be many.

  • Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Inflammation can be caused by both sexually transmitted infections and those unrelated to sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Neoplasms. Various tumors can lead to cycle disruptions. These can be benign processes, but it's still necessary to check.
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome. This diseasePolycystic ovary syndrome, in which follicles with eggs do not mature completely.
  • Premature ovarian failure. This is a condition in which menopause is still far off, yet the ovaries have already stopped producing eggs normally.
  • Endocrine system diseases. Many hormone-related diseases lead to cycle problems. You need to check primarily the thyroidMissed Your Period But You’re Not Pregnant?.

9. Cancellation of hormonal medications

Sometimes, when a woman stops taking contraceptive pills, her period does not come in the expected periodIs a missed period a sure sign of pregnancy?. This is connected with the fact that hormonal contraception forms an artificial cycle. After stopping the pills or injections, the body restarts its natural cycle. It takes time for it to stabilize.

10. Medications

Some medications can affect the cycle and lead to delays in menstruation. It is clear that hormonal contraceptives are included. But other medications can also cause side effects like delays, and these can be the most common pain relieversCould My Meds Affect My Period?. So read the instructions carefully for all the medications you take.

What to do if you have a delayed period

If you are sexually active, first take a pregnancy test. If your period arrives shortly after, the delay was only once and everything is generally fine, then you can relax and attribute the delay to stress and exercise.

But if the delay lasts more than ten days or the cycle has changed and become irregular, then you need to run to the doctor and find out what the cause of the body's whims is.