Other Reasons for a Missed Period
Pregnancy is not always the only reason you would miss your period, in fact, there are a host of reasons why your period might be late. Here are some possible reasons you may not have had your period yet:
- Puberty: Young women who have recently begun their periods often experience light and irregular menstrual cycles as a result of puberty. It could take quite a few months for your body to regulate your cycles.
- Weight Changes: Obesity, weight gain and weight loss all affect hormone production which, in turn, may affect your menstrual cycle.
- Stress: Overly stressful situations and lives take a toll on everyone. Sometimes stress can affect hormone levels which in turn can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.
- Excessive Exercise: Daily and excessive physical activity may impact your menstrual cycle. This is typically more common with athletes who train heavily for their sport as career.
- Menopause: As a woman ages, her body will naturally decrease hormone levels as the child-bearing years end. This causes your periods to begin to be irregular until menstruating stops, which can begin in the years leading up to menopause (called perimenopause).
- Illness or Medication: Chronic or severe illnesses can impact the menstrual cycle as well as medications including birth control pills and implants.
- Breastfeeding: After giving birth, women may have light periods or none for a time. So if you have recently given birth or have been breastfeeding, it may take some time for your periods to be regular again.