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What are the Most Common Causes of Delayed Menstruation?

Helena Reimer
Helena Reimer

Some of the most common causes of delayed menstruation are hormonal imbalances, illnesses, changes in medications and menopause or pregnancy. Excessive exercise, rapid changes in weight, being either overweight or underweight and a poor diet can also contribute to irregular menstruation. A normal menstruation cycle is different for each woman, because some women menstruate as often as every 20 days and others menstruate only every 35 days. The length of the cycle also varies for each woman and can last from three to seven days.

Hormonal imbalances are a common cause for a delayed cycle. A common hormonal disorder is known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, and it can contribute to irregular menstruation or a missed period altogether. Emotional stress, anxiety, fatigue and hormone replacement therapy are some of the most common factors that interfere with the hormone levels. An interference also can be caused by a foreign substances in the body, such as environmental pollutions, chemicals, cigarette smoke and excessive use of certain cosmetics. Pregnancy and breastfeeding also are common causes of delayed menstruation.

Delayed menstruation could be caused by breastfeeding, pregnancy, weight loss or stress.
Delayed menstruation could be caused by breastfeeding, pregnancy, weight loss or stress.

A poor diet high in saturated fats, processed foods and many junk foods can deprive the body of the necessary nutrients that it needs to balance the hormone levels. Unhealthy changes in the diet and eating disorders can lead to rapid weight loss or rapid weight gain, both of which can interfere with the menstruation cycle. Excess weight in general tends to interfere with the hormones and thus is a major risk factor for delayed menstruation. Exercise can help one maintain a healthy weight, but it should be done in moderation, because regularly engaging in vigorous exercise interferes with the cycle as well.

Birth control pills can cause delayed menstruation.
Birth control pills can cause delayed menstruation.

Delayed menstruation also can be caused by certain medications, such as birth control pills, antidepressants and corticosteroids. It can take the body several cycles to readjust to the new amount of hormones in the body when a woman is going on or coming off birth control pills. Changes in other medicines also can result in delayed menstruation. Other common causes include an acute or long-term illness such as thyroid disease, a brain or pituitary tumor, infections and premature ovarian failure.

Perimenopause is the stage just before menopause in which the body begins to reduce the production of hormones. During this time, the cycles begin to change. This often results in a light or heavy cycle, a late period or a long menstruation cycle.

Discussion Comments

giddion

@lighth0se33 – An abnormal menstrual cycle can be a sign that something isn't right in your body. It's not something you want to ignore, although I do agree that it's nice to have a break from a period now and then.

I once went three months without having a period. While it was nice not to suffer from menstrual symptoms, I knew that something wasn't right. It just wasn't natural.

My doctor told me that I had a hormonal imbalance. She didn't elaborate on the exact cause, because she probably didn't know what it was. However, she did give me some pills to take that would make me start having a period again.

lighth0se33

I wouldn't be too worried about the reasons for a late period if I missed a couple of them. I would call it a reason to celebrate, because I hate my period with a passion! It always makes me feel so awful, and I would love to go a few months without one.

orangey03

I have a very irregular menstrual cycle. Sometimes, I go a month and a half or longer between periods.

I have polycystic kidney disease, and while this couldn't directly cause a delayed period, it could make me more likely to develop polycystic ovarian syndrome, and that would do it. I have a feeling that might be what's going on with my body.

feasting

I didn't know there were so many reasons for a missed period! I always thought that pregnancy was the only one. It's good to know that if I miss a period, it doesn't necessarily mean that I'm pregnant.

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    • Delayed menstruation could be caused by breastfeeding, pregnancy, weight loss or stress.
      By: lukasmajercik
      Delayed menstruation could be caused by breastfeeding, pregnancy, weight loss or stress.
    • Birth control pills can cause delayed menstruation.
      By: Kimberly Reinick
      Birth control pills can cause delayed menstruation.
    • Excessive exercise may cause an irregular menstrual period.
      By: stuchin
      Excessive exercise may cause an irregular menstrual period.
    • Cigarette smoking may cause delayed menstruation.
      By: Sergii Figurnyi
      Cigarette smoking may cause delayed menstruation.
    • An woman with an eating disorder may experience irregular menstruation.
      By: Sylvie Bouchard
      An woman with an eating disorder may experience irregular menstruation.
    • Most girls start to menstruate between the age of 10 and 15 years old.
      By: Maya Kruchancova
      Most girls start to menstruate between the age of 10 and 15 years old.
    • Changes that occur before menopause can cause delays in menstruation.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Changes that occur before menopause can cause delays in menstruation.