Menstrual irregularities, such as missed or late periods, occur in 14–25% of women of childbearing age. They can result from a range of conditions besides pregnancy, including hormonal imbalances, hormonal birth control, stress, weight loss, trauma, and certain health conditions.
As long as you are sure you are not pregnant and you feel well in yourself there is no need for concern if you miss one or two periods. If you don't have a period for 3-6 months, or have other symptoms then you should consult a doctor. Sometimes periods in teenage girls start later than in others.
However, healthy cycles typically range from 21 to 35 days (three to five weeks). Unless a medical condition causes irregular cycles, most women probably have at least a rough idea of when to expect their next period. A period is considered late if it has not started within seven days (one week) of when it is expected.
If the stress is short-lived, you may miss a period or be a few days late. However, if the stress is chronic, more erratic or absent menstruation can occur.
The number of days between your periods may vary, especially if you are a teenager, breastfeeding or nearing menopause. Stress, travel, diet, illness, and medication (including birth control) can also affect your cycle. As an adult, your menstrual cycle can vary in length by up to 7–9 days (1).
How long does a cryptic pregnancy last? Most people realize they're pregnant about 20 weeks into the pregnancy. However, a person can be unaware they're pregnant during the entire 40 weeks of pregnancy. There have been cases where a person goes to the emergency room with pelvic pain only to discover they're in labor.
The finger test for pregnancy is a method of detecting pregnancy that involves inserting a finger into the vagina and feeling for changes in the cervix. During pregnancy, the cervix becomes soft and changes position, which can be detected through the finger test.
“They'll still bleed, but often lighter.” That lighter period is called withdrawal bleeding, or a “fake period.” If you have a steady stream of hormones in your body, during your period week (where you might take your placebo pills), your body mimics that drop in estrogen and progesterone, which causes the bleeding.
Experiencing period symptoms but no blood can happen when your hormones become imbalanced. This imbalance can be due to a poor diet, excessive caffeine consumption, or heavy drinking. Gaining weight or losing weight can be attributed to a lack of proper nutrition, which can also affect your menstrual cycle.
Lots of women get pelvic pain and cramping, but your period isn't always to blame. Cysts, constipation, pregnancy -- even cancer -- can make it feel like your monthly visitor is about to stop by. It can be tough to tell whether having cramps without a period is caused by something simple or more serious.
Pregnancy is by far the most common cause of a missed period. However, other medical and lifestyle factors can also affect your menstrual cycle and make your period late. If you're not pregnant, then weight changes, hormonal irregularities, and menopause are among the most common causes of a missed period.
Healthy cardio and workout routines can help lighten your period. Exercising also alleviates cramps and bloating because it pumps you up with happy chemicals and lessens water retention. Working out may also reduce the length of your period because stronger muscles help your cycle function faster.
Increased levels of beta-endorphin are known to impair the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which leads to changes in the production of female sex hormones. This can disrupt your periods and lead to phantom periods.
White discharge, known medically as leukorrhea, is normal and typically occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle. However, if white discharge accompanies a foul odor, itching, or burning, this could indicate an infection. This might be a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
This can be due to normal age-related hormonal changes or other factors such as stress, lifestyle, medications, and some medical conditions. Sometimes your cycle can change suddenly. It can be hard to know if it's something that you need to worry about or not.
If your period feels stuck or doesn't seem to be coming out, it could be due to hormonal changes or from some type of obstruction. If your period feels unusual or different than normal, it's best to contact a gynecologist for an evaluation.
If you notice it only when wiping or can easily absorb any light bleeding with a pantyliner (or even just underwear), it's spotting. If you need a pad or tampon to absorb bleeding between periods, it generally wouldn't be considered spotting.
Normal discharge during pregnancy is clear or white, and usually a bit sticky; it should not have a noticeable odor. It's OK if your discharge looks a little yellow on your underwear or panty liner during pregnancy, too.
It is not uncommon to occasionally miss a period, or for periods to become irregular from time to time. Under some circumstances, periods can even stop altogether. Sometimes these irregularities are due to normal changes, and are not cause for concern.
Your growing uterus is pulling and straining the muscles that support it. You may feel sharp pains or just a mild pulling sensation. It often occurs when you cough, sneeze, stand up, sit down, roll over, or during sex.