Delayed menstruation and then. Laboratory blood test for a specific hormone

Any woman knows her individual norm for delayed menstruation. The absence of delays in menstruation indicates a normal healthy state of the reproductive system. Women and girls of different ages may have their own acceptable period of delayed menstrual flow.

According to doctors, a delay in bloody vaginal discharge can be considered normal for 1-7 days if the female body does not experience “side symptoms” against this background. If a representative of the fairer sex feels well and does not suffer from discomfort, then such delays are considered acceptable. But each age segment has its own limit on such expectations.

Note! In girls, menarche (first periods) is expected in the age category of 11-15 years. And during the first two years it will be difficult to expect the regularity of these discharges. At a young age, a 5-day delay in discharge should not cause concern.

If after two years your periods have not stabilized, you should contact a gynecologist to determine the normal functioning of the uterus and ovaries. The “dry” period for a healthy woman and girl is 28-35 days. It is after this time that spotting appears monthly.

Phases of the menstrual cycle

In older women, sexual function declines, which is a natural and inevitable process. With each new month there will be a delay in menstruation, which will gradually increase until it stops altogether.

The average age for menopause in women is 44-50 years. But there are exceptions to climacteric ovarian dysfunction in one direction or the other.

Reasons for missed periods

Delayed menstruation (main reasons, besides pregnancy, why is there a delay in menstruation):

• Gynecological reasons;
• Not gynecological reasons.

The reasons for long waits for menstruation are gynecological (with the exception of pregnancy) and non-gynecological in nature.

Delayed menstruation can have gynecological and non-gynecological reasons

Gynecological reasons:

1. puberty;
2. diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst);
3. menopause;
4. long-term use of contraceptives;
5. lactation.

Non-gynecological reasons:

1. stress;
2. climate change;
3. diet;
4. anorexia;
5. bad ecology;
6. diseases (ARVI, gastritis, thyroid and kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus);
7. intoxication;
8. excessive physical activity;
9. excess weight.

Important to remember! Some medications that are used to treat the genitourinary system, stomach ulcers and depression can delay menstruation.

Leading an unhealthy lifestyle, using drugs, drinking heavily and smoking tobacco can all affect the regularity of your periods each month.

There are times when a negative test result results in a significant delay in the cycle. Such a failure, lasting more than 7-15 days, may be a consequence of taking hormonal drugs.

There may also be a test error if your period is late and the test is negative.

Reasons why your period is late and the test is negative

As soon as a delay in regulation occurs, women use rapid tests to determine pregnancy. All tests work on the same principle - they determine the level of hCG in female urine. If this indicator is normal, the result does not exceed 5 MIU/ml. Starting from the 7th day of pregnancy, this figure increases 5 times.

Errors during testing can be primarily due to non-compliance with instructions and a low-quality product. There are many known tests that show errors in cases of kidney disease and hormonal imbalance. Violation of the integrity of the packaging and expired expiration date also do not promise a reliable test result.

A woman may receive a false negative test result if there is a slight delay, when 3 days have not passed since the missed period. Another reason for false information may be late ovulation of the previous cycle. Insufficient concentration of urine composition gives an unreliable result.

Therefore, testing should be done at the first urination of the day. A pathological pregnancy (frozen or ectopic) will not indicate an increase in the level of hCG in the blood.

A false positive result is less common than a false negative result. This result may occur in the case of termination of pregnancy at a very early stage, which showed the actual level of hCG at the time of pregnancy. Tumors formed due to hormonal imbalance contribute to the production of hCG, which can mislead a woman.

A positive response to testing may occur in the event of a recent termination of pregnancy (miscarriage, abortion). The use of certain drugs in the treatment of infertility can also cause false results.

A pale and unclear second line of the test gives rise to re-testing after 3-5 days, and in the case of IVF you will need to wait 10-15 days. An error in the test is undoubtedly possible, so doctors recommend that you check the result two more times.

How many days can a missed period last without pregnancy?

A delay in regulation that does not cause concern is 5-7 days in a woman of young and middle reproductive age. In the case of older women during menopause, the maximum delay period can be about six months. The acceptable period for delaying the arrival of menstruation after the first sexual intercourse is considered to be 2-4 days.

What and how affects the menstrual period in women

Women's health is influenced by many factors: external environment, age, physiological state and others. The table below shows the factors, conditions and moments and how they affect the regularity and nature of menstruation in women.

Taking antibiotics, antidepressants, hormonal drugs and other potent drugs	If the hormonal drug is chosen incorrectly, a delay in menstruation may occur. Only those pills that contain exclusively progestogen do not affect the length of the cycle. Long-term use of oral contraceptives reduces the intensity of discharge. Antidepressants, according to doctors, rarely cause a delay in menstruation. This group of drugs reduces the intensity of menstrual blood secreted. During treatment with antiulcer medications, the regularity of the menstrual cycle is sometimes disrupted.
Homeopathic medicines	Homeopathic medicines are often prescribed by gynecologists to their patients in order to normalize a woman’s hormonal levels. This group of drugs rarely causes a delay in menstruation, since they do not contain potent substances and hormones. Most often, periods are late due to a pathological condition in which a specialist prescribes a homeopathic remedy - depression, severe stress, etc.
Hog queen	The boron uterus contains phytohormones (phytoprogesterone and phytoestrogen), so the plant affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle. With the help of such a remedy, you can normalize a woman’s hormonal levels, eliminate inflammation in the pelvic organs and increase local immunity. If you approach the treatment process irresponsibly, side effects may occur, which manifest themselves in the form of hormonal imbalance and deterioration in general well-being. Girls claim that after consuming boron uterus, a delay occurs due to successful conception. It should be remembered that the herb suppresses ovulation if the treatment with the healing agent is not carried out correctly. The plant is necessary to maintain the second phase of the cycle - progesterone.
Tranexam	Gynecologists claim that Tranexam is an effective hemostatic drug and does not cause delays. This medication is prescribed to patients if there is a hormonal imbalance. The “delay” of critical days in this situation indicates that the cycle has not yet recovered after Tranexam therapy.
Premenopausal syndrome	Menstrual irregularities are the main symptom of menopause for women over 50. Due to the decline of reproductive function, there is a delay in menstruation. Over time, the volume of blood released during menstrual periods decreases. The main symptoms of menopause include: hot flashes, weakness, insomnia, depression. During menopause, problems arise with the absorption of calcium, so the condition of the skeletal system worsens.
Folic acid	Folic acid is a vitamin, not a hormone. This drug does not affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle. The medication is absolutely safe and does not cause side effects. Vitamin B9 strengthens the immune system and has a positive effect on the circulatory system.
Edas 927	The drug "Mastiol Edas 927" belongs to homeopathic medicines. Prescribed for mastopathy. Gynecologists say that taking the medicine does not affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Sugar granules, calcium fluoride, creosote, spotted hemlock - these are the substances that are part of this product. The elements do not adversely affect the functioning of the female reproductive system.
Oxyprogesterone capronate	Injections of oxyprogesterone capronate are prescribed to those girls who have been diagnosed with a long delay in menstruation. Reviews from women indicate that this substance is administered intravenously to patients to normalize hormonal levels. If you self-medicate and choose the wrong dosage, your menstruation may be delayed. Only a doctor must develop an individual treatment regimen, depending on the physiological characteristics of the patient’s body and the severity of the pathology.
Mirena hormonal device	Levonorgestrel is a hormonal substance contained in the Mirena spiral. This element is secreted into the uterus. Under such conditions, the process of growth and rejection of the endometrium is blocked. Since the effect of the hormone occurs only inside the reproductive organ, the risk of hormonal imbalance is reduced. The spiral suppresses sperm motility and blocks ovulation, but does not in any way affect a woman’s hormonal levels. Side effects manifest themselves exclusively in the form of headaches, acne, and heart pain. The intrauterine device does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, which often disrupt the menstrual cycle. The installed coil, if there are contraindications, sometimes causes the development of an inflammatory process. In this situation, the length of the menstrual cycle may be disrupted.
Sports loads	If you actively engage in sports and go on a diet, then a person will rapidly lose weight. Extreme weight loss can cause a delay in menstruation. A sharp jump in weight is a lot of stress for the body. New and unusual stress on the body sometimes affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle. In this case, doctors recommend eating a healthy and balanced diet - after a few months the cycle returns to normal.
Climate change	The female body is too vulnerable to any negative environmental influences. Moving to another country sometimes provokes headaches, weakness, drowsiness, irritability, nausea and apathy. The duration of adaptation to a new place of residence is 13 days. Atmospheric pressure and temperature differences are factors that can cause a delay in menstruation.
Heat, sauna	Due to a sharp increase in atmospheric pressure and temperature, the female body experiences stress. Under such conditions, a delay in menstruation may occur.
Stress	Systematic stress and anxiety often provoke the development of serious gynecological diseases. Under such conditions, menstruation becomes profuse and accompanied by painful sensations. Due to hormonal imbalance caused by emotional stress, problems may arise in the functioning of the girl’s reproductive system. A change in lifestyle stability is reflected in the functioning of the female body.
Cold	Flu and colds are very stressful for the body. Under such conditions, the protective function of the body decreases and the regularity of menstruation is disrupted. It is possible to resume full functioning of a woman’s reproductive system without additional therapy—it takes 1.5 months to normalize.
Thrush	If the body's protective function is weakened, candidiasis may occur. The disease develops as a result of pregnancy, exposure to drugs, overwork, systematic stress - these factors affect the functioning of the reproductive system of women. If thrush occurs due to hormonal imbalance, then the duration of the menstrual cycle is disrupted.
Cystitis	With cystitis, a delay in menstruation is often observed. This is due to generalized inflammation, which affects not only the mucous membranes of the bladder, but also the pelvic organs.
Ovarian cyst	When a follicular cyst occurs, menstruation is delayed. This neoplasm is benign. After the cyst resolves, critical days begin - this process takes from 6 to 20 days.
Cervical erosion	The pathology itself does not affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle. But if cervical erosion develops actively, then the uterus begins to change. Under what conditions is a cycle failure possible? Infection may cause a delay.
Endometriosis	With this disease, the endometrium begins to grow. During the development of the disease, there is often a delay in menstruation and pain in the pelvic organs. This disease often causes infertility. Gynecological diseases have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the female genital organs. Under such conditions, hormonal disruption occurs.

No menstruation: wait or act?

The absence of the onset of critical days within 1 week against the background of symptoms of their appearance can be considered the norm. If the acceptable delay period has expired, action should be taken. The first step in the plan should be pregnancy testing.

If pregnancy is not confirmed, and the normal waiting period has passed, you should immediately go to an antenatal clinic. At the appointment, you will need to talk about how you are feeling, the appearance of new symptoms, and be examined and tested.

Doctors are paying attention! A significant delay in regulation cannot be attributed to external factors and normal physiological processes. This signals the beginning of pathological processes, which should be intervened as quickly as possible.

If your chest hurts, but you don’t have your period, what does this mean?

Before the onset of menstruation, a significant number of women notice swelling, pain and sensitivity of the mammary glands. If your chest hurts, but your period has not arrived, then this may be a signal of the beginning of a new life.

This happens in 70% of cases. If pregnancy never occurs, and the mammary glands continue to bother you, then in 20% of cases the problem is associated with mastopathy.

The remaining 10% is attributed to: the presence of infection in the mammary glands:

• oncology of these organs;
• ovulation process;
• consequences of active physical exercise (muscle strain);
• hormonal imbalance;
• shingles.

Why does my stomach hurt but I don’t have my period?

You may also experience pain in the abdomen in the absence of menstruation. Some women experience pain during ovulation when the follicle ruptures. This is a normal process that is attributed to the individual characteristics of the body.

Gynecological problems can also be accompanied by pain. Women begin to pay attention to inflammatory processes after the appearance of severe pain. If such inflammations are ignored and not treated, they can later give rise to serious diseases.

Fluid accumulated in the fallopian tubes can cause abdominal pain., which will prevent the appearance of menstruation.

Acyclic pain in most cases they cause urolithiasis. Adhesions, cystitis, and colitis can cause trouble. If, in addition to the abdomen, a woman is bothered by a bursting sensation in the mammary glands, fibroids can be suspected. If you have abdominal pain and lack of regulation, you should undergo an examination to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

How long can you not worry?

Important to remember! Each woman's menstrual cycle can last for a different period of time. Most often, an established cycle (21-35 days) accompanies a woman throughout her reproductive age from 18 to 45 years.

The countdown begins on the first day of discharge and lasts until the arrival of the next ones.
A healthy woman has regular periods for 1-3 days and there is no reason to worry.

Delay of menstruation 1-4 days: reasons

The most common reasons for delay (1-4 days) are the following:

1. recent cold;
2. excessive physical activity;
3. climate change;
4. sudden change in diet;
5. emotional, nervous breakdown.

If your period is 5 days late (negative test): is there a problem or not?

With a 5-day wait for the arrival of menstruation, it is too early to talk about any pathology, because it is within normal limits. A woman has time before taking active steps.

The reason for the failure of the regularity of the cycle may be the consequences of workaholism., which lead to exhaustion of the body, lack of sleep and decreased vitality. In the absence of poor health and unpleasant symptoms, we can say there is no problem.

Delay of menstruation by 6 - 10 days. Reasons other than pregnancy

Doctors pay attention! A delay of 6-10 days in menstruation is the first call for a woman. It can signal a borderline state, pregnancy or illness.

If pregnancy is excluded, doctors call this delay secondary amenorrhea. A very dangerous condition for a woman that should be excluded first is ectopic pregnancy.

Symptoms of this pregnancy are:

• pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen;
• feeling of weakness;
• nausea;
• dizziness;
• the appearance of vaginal discharge of a brown, brown color.

If these symptoms are detected, you should immediately visit an antenatal clinic. Ignoring an ectopic pregnancy causes heavy bleeding and infertility.

Delay in menstruation for 10 days or more: start looking for the cause with your doctor!

A woman’s good health and the presence of a partner obliges her to undergo testing. When the fact of pregnancy is not confirmed, you must consult a doctor to undergo an examination and identify the causes.

Based on the survey results, A gynecologist will be able to detect or exclude diseases:

1. Vaginitis;
2. Polycystic disease;
3. Candidiasis;
4. Thrush;
5. Adnexitis;
6. Myoma, tumors.

If the doctor does not find gynecological problems, you should refer to his colleagues. The delay can be caused by illness:

1. Pancreatitis;
2. Duodenitis;
3. Chronic gastritis;
4. Diabetes;
5. Pyelonephritis;
6. Adrenal diseases;
7. Anorexia.

Delay 2 weeks or more

Waiting for critical days longer than two weeks no longer leaves hope that everything is in order with the woman’s body. This condition cannot be ignored, even if the woman is not bothered by anything. A trip to the antenatal clinic should be organized as a matter of urgency.

What to do if you haven’t had your period for 2 (two) months, but you’re not pregnant

If the regulations have not arrived after 2 months, you need to be examined for ovarian dysfunction. This disease is not independent, as it is caused by factors such as a viral or infectious disease; diseases of the genital organs, kidneys, thyroid gland, stomach.

As soon as a woman notices vaginal discharge that does not resemble menstruation, she should go to the clinic. After stopping taking contraceptives, your period should come in 2-3 months; if this does not happen, and you feel discomfort down there, don’t put off going to the antenatal clinic.

No period for 3 months, but not pregnant

Waiting for the arrival of menstruation for 3-6 months received the medical name - amenorrhea. Its cause is a serious gynecological disease, which requires examination and examination by a specialist.

Why are there no periods after an abortion?

Important to remember! Every woman recovers her menstrual cycle differently after an abortion.

In this situation, it is worth taking into account the timing and method of termination of pregnancy, as well as the physiological characteristics of the patient. Provided the outcome of the operation is normal, after 1 month. After an abortion, regulation should begin. The first day of the cycle should be considered the date of the operation.

Doctors are paying attention! If you have not had your period 31 days after surgical termination of pregnancy, it is recommended to visit a doctor to avoid health problems.

Delayed menstruation while breastfeeding

The return of menstruation in recent women will depend on the lactation process, during which there is a high level of the hormone prolactin in the blood, which is responsible for breast milk. If the natural process of lactation does not occur (caesarean section, refusal to breastfeed, other reasons), then the cycle will be restored after 1 month.

In this case, the maximum delay after childbirth can last approximately 8 weeks. During lactation, normalization of the menstrual cycle is a purely individual process. This may take 2-3 years.

Important to remember! To accurately predict the time at which the menstrual cycle begins to resume after childbirth, it is necessary to take into account:

• feeding cycle;
• type of feeding (mixed, on demand, regular).

If the mother feeds the baby at the child's request, the menstrual flow will be restored one year after birth. With mixed feeding, you can expect your period to return after 3-4 months. For 80% of women giving birth, their critical days come after weaning their baby.

Attention: Dangerous Causes of Delay

Dangerous reasons for delay:

• Andexit;
• Polycystic ovary syndrome;
• Endometriosis.

Gynecological and endocrine diseases are at risk. Diseases of the ovaries, adrenal glands and thyroid glands can cause polycystic ovary syndrome and lead to infertility.

Adnexitis is an inflammatory process in the uterine appendages that causes hormonal imbalance. Endometriosis or uterine fibroids is a benign tumor that can develop into a malignant neoplasm.

What are the dangers of frequent delays in menstruation?

It is not recommended to ignore periodic delays. And if they become frequent, it is absolutely impossible to show a negligent attitude towards a woman’s health.

Gynecologists insist! Ignoring regular and frequent delays is fraught with the appearance of chronic diseases, infertility, and oncology of the genital organs.

What to do if you don't have your period?

The delay forces the woman to wait agonizingly for a week and then be sent to a medical facility. Any deviation of the menstrual cycle from the norm is a reason to contact an antenatal clinic.

Together with the gynecologist, the cause of the menstrual cycle failure will be determined. To do this, you will need to take tests, undergo pregnancy testing, and be examined by an endocrinologist and an ultrasound specialist.

In the case of an unstable menstrual cycle in a girl (duration less than 2 years), the onset of menopause in an older woman and an acceptable one-week delay, do not panic and try to induce menstruation.

It is important to know! In women who have not reached menopause and have passed the age of menerche, constant delays in menopause are abnormal. Therefore, having established the reasons for the delay, measures should be taken to restore the cyclicity of the regulation.

Is it possible to induce menstruation if there is a delay?

It is possible to provoke monthly bleeding if it is delayed both under medical supervision and at home. Almost all medications used to restore the menstrual cycle are hormonal.

You can get the desired effect from taking them if a woman has problems with hormonal levels and a deficiency of a certain substance in the body.

How to induce menstruation if you are late at home

Having established the patient’s hormonal picture, the gynecologist prescribes special medications according to the regimen. Often women use herbal infusions that provoke the onset of menstruation. At home, you can induce menstruation with medications, decoctions of medicinal herbs, hot baths, a large dose of vitamin C and active physical exercise.

Decoction of medicinal herbs:

1. Elecampane;
2. Oregano;
3. Nettles;
4. Rosehip;
5. Yarrow;
6. Sporysha.

Herbs taken 2 tbsp. l., and filled with 1 l. boiling water, consume after 12 hours of exposure for one day. To induce menstruation, they also drink a decoction of onion peels and ginger.

Drugs for hormonal imbalance (Duphaston and others for delayed menstruation)

If no serious health problems are identified, doctors prescribe special medications that stimulate the arrival of critical days.

Such drugs include:

• Duphaston;
• Utrozhestan;
• Pulsatilla;
• Postinor;
• Mifegin.

Duphaston is prescribed 1 tablet twice a day for a course of 5 days. If serious health problems are detected, the endocrinologist may prescribe a different treatment regimen. Most often, the long-awaited discharge appears on the 2-3rd day of taking the drug.

The expected effect of Duphaston is ensured by the concentration of progesterone. In case of pregnancy, this drug will not cause harm to the fetus, and it will not be able to terminate the pregnancy. Duphaston will give results only if a hormonal imbalance is detected.

If the delay occurs due to stress, then Pulsatilla will help speed up the onset of menstruation, 6 granules of which thin the blood. Taking Postinor can urgently induce menstruation.

The emerging problem of delayed periods should not provoke women to look for ways to speed them up without determining the cause of this condition.

Important to remember! Any delay in the menstrual cycle is a failure, the cause of which should be found out.

If you experience frequent delays in menstruation, it is imperative to consult a specialist in order to rule out serious diseases, including malignant tumors, mental disorders, infertility and other gynecological diseases.

Video about the reasons for a delay in menstruation with a negative test

Delayed menstruation test negative. Why and what to do:

About the reasons for a delay in menstruation, if the test is negative in adolescents and women:

At what stage will a pregnancy test accurately show a 100% result:

10 reasons why your period may be late

Fluctuations and unevenness of the menstrual cycle (or as it is also called PMS) are a normal phenomenon, because of which you should not immediately rush into panic. A delay in menstruation of up to 5 days is considered normal, if a little more, then this may be an underlying symptom of some kind of process. However, the most common cause of delay is pregnancy. A pregnancy test will help determine whether you are pregnant or not. If the test is negative, then it would be best to see a gynecologist. The doctor will be able to determine exactly what is causing the delay and, based on the results of the examination, will prescribe the necessary treatment.

A long delay may occur due to:

1. Ovulatory anomaly. Its cause may be a side effect after hormonal therapy, severe emotional shock, acute inflammation.

2. Birth control pills. Taking these drugs, during use and several months after use, delays, some cycle instability, or a complete absence of menstruation may occur. This happens most often either due to a sudden interruption of the course, or due to taking “next day” pills - that is, an emergency contraceptive.

3. Ovarian cyst (functional). In 5-10% of normal cycles, endocrine syndromes occur, which are accompanied by impaired ovarian function. An example of such a violation. LUF syndrome (or follicular cyst of a non-ovulated follicle), or corpus luteum cyst. If the cyst “lives” longer than expected, then a delay in menstruation occurs. It is dangerous if these syndromes are repeated very often.

4. PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome. Diseases characterized by impaired hormone production. Polycystic ovary syndrome interferes with ovulation.

5. All kinds of gynecological diseases. For example, uterine fibroids (that is, a benign tumor of the uterine wall), Salpingo-oophoritis (that is, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and/or other appendages), and some other diseases can also significantly delay the arrival of menstruation. But gynecological diseases are most often accompanied by uterine bleeding.

6. Abortion or Termination of Pregnancy. There is a hormonal imbalance, as well as damage to uterine tissue.

7. Long lasting. Severe or short-term stress can also cause menstrual irregularities

8. Fast and significant weight loss. Doctors have proven that weight loss in a very short time threatens a woman with long-term disruption of all body processes.

9. Vitamin deficiency and metabolic disorders. A delayed cycle can also occur as a result of a lack or as a result of improper nutrition.

10. Frequent physical activity. For example, playing sports or lifting weights can shift your normal cycle by several days.

Many women experience stress when their menstrual cycle is irregular.

The thought of pregnancy immediately arises. A missed period, a negative test – all this makes women worry.

Why is this happening?

The menstrual cycle in the body of a sexually mature woman is 21-35 days. During this period, the egg matures. Counting is carried out from the first day.

Normal menstrual bleeding lasts 4-7 days.

If blood loss exceeds the acceptable volume, anemia may develop.

Lack of menstruation, or negative changes in the body.

A cycle delay of 5-7 days is considered normal.

The first and main reason for the absence of menstruation is pregnancy. A woman may also experience the following symptoms:

• swelling of the mammary glands (breasts).

However, a negative pregnancy test is puzzling.

You can do one more check.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that sometimes the test shows a negative result, but pregnancy still occurs.

This can happen if a woman has an irregular menstrual cycle.

In addition, the test result may be implausible with large fluid intake and kidney pathology.

What to do?

In addition to the test, if there is any delay, you must also make an appointment with a gynecologist.

Women have a question: when can an ultrasound examination show pregnancy? Experts say that from the 5th day.

You should also take blood tests to establish or definitively refute the fact of pregnancy.

If the delay is 10 days, the test is negative, you need to do a test for human chorionic gonadotropin. Pregnancy is indicated if more than 25 IU/l.

There are factors that influence the increase in this indicator in the absence of pregnancy.

If a woman has a tumor of the kidneys or genital organs in her body, or has taken hormonal medications, the hCG level may be more than 25.

The same picture is observed with hydatidiform mole and malignant tumor of the uterus.

The result may be negative even if you are pregnant. It is important not to take medications 2-3 days before the test.

Results may be inaccurate when the test is done too early. For example, on a 3-4 day delay.

You can re-test on the 7th day of delay.

The second reason - . In order to exclude this (if your period is late), you need to consult a doctor.

Reasons for delay

• For ovarian dysfunction there is a disturbance in the menstrual cycle .

Any deviation from it, which is accompanied by nausea, cramping pain, irritability and discharge, is a reason to consult a doctor.

If you haven't had a period for several months, your doctor may diagnose amenorrhea.

This disease does not depend on age. Both a 16-year-old girl and a 45-year-old woman can get it.

If this is related to pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is no cause for concern.

However, if a girl has not started her period for 3 weeks, she should consult a doctor.

Any pathological process in the pituitary region can negatively affect women's health.

• Physical loads, stress, exams - all of these are possible reasons for the delay.

At the same time, cycle disruption is one of the first and early symptoms of chronic fatigue.

• Weight problems

Excess weight or lack thereof also often affects the menstrual cycle.

A sharp decrease or increase in body weight can cause hormonal imbalance.

Women who are overweight often go to the doctor with statements like: “I haven’t gotten my period for three months now. Why?".

This happens due to the accumulation of estrogen, which in turn leads to a delay of 5, 7 days.

If the decrease in body weight continues for a long time and reaches a critical point (45 kg), a disruption of the cycle occurs, up to the complete cessation of discharge. Menstruation is restored with weight adjustment.

• Cycle disruption is possible when moving to different time zones and climate zones.

Often, flight attendants also consult a doctor with the problem of an unstable menstrual cycle and weekly delays. Dysmenorrhea often occurs among flight attendants.

• Long-term sun exposure can also cause cycle disruption.
• Harmful and harmful habits: nicotine (), alcohol, drugs affect menstruation.
• Diseases: ARVI, acute respiratory infections, gastritis, diabetes, tuberculosis and other diseases.
• Antidepressants and diuretics drugs.

Hormonal disbalance

Birth control pills usually cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle.

However, menstrual irregularities do not occur on their own, but only if the woman stops taking the medications. As, for example, in this case: “I took Microgynon for 3 years. I decided to stop taking the drug, but my period did not start. I'm already 20 days late. I feel pain in the lower abdomen. I have constant nausea and white discharge, but the test is negative.”

This also happens with emergency hormonal contraception (“Escapelle”, “Postinor”).

Here’s another example of a common problem: “I took Lindinet 20.” It's been 9 days since I've had my period. I took a pregnancy test and it was negative.”

After taking contraceptives, the body adapts for some time.

It is better to consult a doctor, do an ultrasound and take blood tests. If necessary, the gynecologist will prescribe symptomatic treatment.

Climax

During the restructuring of the female body, a decrease in sexual function occurs. Patients often come with the question: “I haven’t started menstruating for two weeks now. Why?".

Early menopause is stressful for a woman. She wants to understand the reasons and, if possible, delay menopause.

For example, they come with the following question: “I’m already on my 20th day of delay. I am 37 years old. Could this indicate the onset of menopause?

Cyclic changes in menstruation are also considered disorders.

During menopause and during puberty, bleeding is sometimes observed - metrorrhagia.

It usually occurs 10-16 days after menstruation. The discharge can last from 12 hours to 3 days.

As a rule, they are observed in women and teenage girls of a certain character. Psychosomatic reactions activate the production of stress hormones, and ovarian dysfunction occurs.

Pathological causes

Inflammatory diseases

Any inflammation can cause changes in the cycle.

The causative agents are streptococcus, thrush, staphylococcus, trichomonas and so on. When the following symptoms occur:

• pain;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• white, serous and bloody discharge;
• menstruation disorders;
• increased body temperature;
• infertility.

Cystitis

With this disease, the ovaries are affected and changes occur in the female body.

The delay with cystitis can be two days or several weeks. This happens due to the inflammatory process.

Women come to see a gynecologist to undergo an examination.

Even after complete recovery, the cycle may not be restored. Pathology can develop in a woman’s body.

Therefore, it is important to do an ultrasound, take blood tests, identify the cause of the disease and undergo timely treatment.

Pituitary adenoma

With this disease, visible changes occur. Women say: “My nose is getting bigger, my brow ridges and bite are changing.”

However, the first symptom of this disease is menstrual irregularity.

In addition, the patient has visible rashes on his face; he suffers from headaches, weakness and nausea.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

With polycystic ovary syndrome, a delay of 12 days is typical, the test is negative.

With this pathology, the menstrual cycle is disrupted. The characteristic signs of PCOS are as follows:

• delayed menstrual cycle;
• lack of ovulation;
• amenorrhea;
• high level of male sex hormones;
• hirsutism;
• infertility;
• obesity.

Diagnosis is made based on clinical symptoms and tests.

Ovarian cyst

A mass that occurs in the ovary can cause a delay of a week or more, or uterine bleeding.

The cyst can be functional or pathological.

Follicular cysts do not require surgery. Benign tumors should be operated on.

In the absence of menstruation, women come for examination to a gynecologist: “My period is 2 weeks late. The pregnancy test shows a negative result. However, within 14 days I feel nausea and severe pain in the ovaries. “My body temperature also increased.”

Based on all these clear signs, the doctor may suspect an ovarian cyst. Moreover, these symptoms indicate that the cyst leg has twisted.

Treatment

The reasons that cause a long delay vary.

Often the gynecologist prescribes hormonal treatment. The doctor prescribes oral contraceptive pills or progestogens.

There are several tactics for treating infertility with PCOS.

First of all, they use drugs that stimulate ovulation. There is still no consensus on how long conservative treatment should take. At what stage should surgery begin? Here the opinions of doctors differ.

For pituitary tumors, different treatment tactics are chosen. The prognosis directly depends on the size of the tumor and its hormonal function. If the prolactin concentration is more than 500 ng/ml, drug therapy is prescribed. If it is less, then surgery is performed.

When cycle disorders are not associated with diseases, it is enough to establish the right lifestyle.

The doctor will help eliminate the cause that caused the delay in menstruation. If you lose a lot of weight, you should balance your diet.

If you are obese, you must exclude fats and easily digestible carbohydrates from the menu. This is where a nutritionist will come to the rescue.

For psychological problems and stress, you should make an appointment with a psychiatrist.

A proper diet, adherence to a daily routine, giving up smoking, alcohol, and coffee will improve your health and the menstrual cycle will be restored.

Modern medicine does not exclude treatment with homeopathic medicines.

Acupuncture can also give good results when menstruation is late.

If a woman has a delay of two days, three days, then there is no particular reason for concern.

There are several pregnancy tests you can do. As a rule, you have to wait a few more days.

But if menstruation does not begin for more than a week, you need to be examined by a doctor.

Delayed menstruation is one of the earliest signs of conception. However, the absence of menstruation on time does not always indicate pregnancy. Sometimes the delay is a consequence of stress, emotional stress, hormonal imbalance or other pathology.

All girls and women of reproductive age should carefully monitor their cycle. For greater accuracy, gynecologists recommend keeping a special calendar that indicates the start and end date of each menstrual bleeding. The regularity of the cycle indicates the proper functioning of the reproductive system.
- a set of changes in a woman’s body aimed at the ability to conceive. Its regulation is carried out using a complex hormonal mechanism.

The average duration of the menstrual cycle is . However, its length in healthy women can be shortened to 21 days or extended to 35 days.

Ovulation is the process of release of the female reproductive cell from the ovary into the free abdominal cavity. This event corresponds to the middle of the menstrual cycle - days 12-16. During ovulation and 1-2 days after it, the female body is ready to conceive a child.

Menarche is the first menstrual cycle in a girl's life, it is the beginning of the reproductive activity of the female body. Typically, this event occurs between the ages of 11 and 14 years, but the norm is considered to be from 9 to 16 years. The time of menarche depends on many reasons - genetics, physique, diet, general health.

Menopause or menopause is the last menstrual cycle in life. This diagnosis is made post facto, after 12 months of no bleeding. The normal range for the onset of menopause is considered to be from 42 to 61 years, with an average of 47-56 years. Its onset depends on the number of pregnancies, the supply of eggs, the use of oral contraceptives, and lifestyle.

Menstruation or menstruation is a part of the female cycle characterized by the development of uterine bleeding. Normally, its duration is from 3 to 7 days, on average - 4-5 days. Menstruation represents the shedding of the endometrium of the uterus - its inner mucous layer.

Due to menstruation, the uterine endometrium is renewed. This process is necessary to prepare the organ wall for the next cycle, in which conception is possible.

Delayed menstruation is considered to be its absence for more than 6-7 days during a normal cycle. A shorter period is not considered a pathology. Normally, cycle shifts by 2-3 days are possible. Delayed menstruation can occur in women and girls of any age due to natural (physiological) and pathological reasons.

Reasons for missed periods

Stress

Regulation of the menstrual cycle is a complex process that depends on many factors in the internal environment of the body. The functioning of the hormonal system is very susceptible to stress and emotional upheaval. This feature is the result of the close interaction between the endocrine glands and the brain.

Psychological and emotional stress is an unfavorable environment for pregnancy. This is why the brain gives a signal to the endocrine system that conception should not occur. In response to this, the hormonal glands change their mode of operation, preventing the onset of ovulation.

A delay in menstruation can be caused by various stresses. Some women calmly endure severe shocks (the death of a loved one, diagnosis of an illness, dismissal from work, etc.). In some patients, the absence of menstruation may be associated with minor experiences.

Possible causes of missed periods also include severe lack of sleep and overwork. To restore the cycle, a woman should eliminate the provoking factor. If this is not possible, the patient is advised to consult a specialist. Usually, a delay in menstruation during stress does not exceed 6-8 days, but in severe cases, it may be absent for a long time - 2 weeks or more.

Heavy physical activity

By its nature, the female body is not adapted to strong physical activity. Excessive forceful tension can cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle. Such disorders of the reproductive system are quite often observed among professional athletes.

The reason for the delay of menstruation during heavy physical activity is the production of increased amounts of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Thanks to it, muscle tissue can grow in response to its tension. Normally, the female body contains a small amount of testosterone, but its increase leads to disruptions in the menstrual cycle.

High levels of testosterone affect the complex mechanisms between the pituitary gland and the ovaries, which disrupts their interaction. This leads to delayed menstrual bleeding.

If there are disruptions in the menstrual cycle, a woman should avoid strength training. They can be replaced with aerobic exercises - dancing, running, yoga.

What are the reasons for a delay in menstruation?

Climate change

Sometimes the human body has difficulty adapting to new living conditions. A sudden change in climate can cause menstrual irregularities. This feature is most often observed when traveling to hot and humid countries.

Changes in environmental conditions are a signal of the need to prevent conception. This mechanism is similar to the delay of menstruation during emotional stress and shock. The brain sends a signal to the ovaries to block ovulation.

Another reason for a missed period with a negative pregnancy test is prolonged exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet rays have a negative effect on the functioning of the ovaries. A delay may occur if you abuse the solarium.

Typically, the duration of delayed menstrual bleeding when traveling does not exceed 10 days. If it is absent for a longer period, the woman should consult a specialist.

Hormonal changes

In teenage girls, during the first 2-3 years after menarche, jumps in the cycle are possible. This feature is a normal phenomenon associated with the regulation of ovarian activity. Usually the cycle is established by the age of 14-17 years; if menstruation delays continue after 17-19 years, the girl should consult a specialist.

The reason for delayed periods after 40 years is the onset of menopause, characterized by the decline of reproductive function. Typically, the menopause period lasts for 5-10 years, during which there is a gradual increase in the period between bleedings. Quite often, menopause is accompanied by other symptoms - a feeling of heat, sweating, nervousness, and surges in blood pressure.

Also, a long delay in menstruation is a natural reaction of the body after pregnancy. During breastfeeding, the pituitary gland produces a special hormone - prolactin. It causes blocking of ovulation and absence of menstrual bleeding. This reaction is intended by nature, since the female body must recover after childbirth.

If a woman does not breastfeed immediately after giving birth, her normal cycle will return after about 2 months. If a young mother begins lactation, menstruation will occur after it ends. The total duration of delayed bleeding should not exceed one year.

Natural hormonal changes occur after discontinuation of oral contraceptives. While taking them, the ovaries stop functioning, so they need 1-3 months to recover. This reaction of the body is considered absolutely normal and does not require medication adjustment.

Another reason for a delay in menstruation for a week or more is taking emergency contraception (Postinor, Escapelle). These drugs contain artificial hormones that block the synthesis of their own. Due to this effect, ovulation is blocked and the menstrual cycle shifts.

Lack of body weight and poor nutrition

Not only the endocrine glands, but also adipose tissue participate in the endocrine metabolism of the female body. Its percentage of body weight should not be lower than 15-17%. Adipose tissue is involved in the synthesis of estrogens - female sex hormones.

Inadequate nutrition causes severe weight loss, which leads to amenorrhea - absence of menstruation. With severe underweight, cyclic bleeding may not be observed for a long period of time. This feature is adaptive in nature - the brain sends signals that the woman will not be able to bear a child.

Constant delays in menstruation may be associated with insufficient intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E into the body. These substances participate in the endocrine function of the ovaries, causing the normal division of female germ cells.

To restore the cycle, a woman should gain the missing kilograms and reconsider her diet. It should include sea fish, red meat, nuts, and vegetable oil. If necessary, vitamin E supplements can be used.

Obesity

Weight gain can cause menstrual irregularities. The mechanism of pathology of reproductive function is associated with blocking ovulation due to excessive accumulation of estrogens in adipose tissue.

Also, against the background of obesity, insulin resistance occurs - a condition in which the cells of the human body become less sensitive to insulin. In response to this, the pancreas begins to synthesize increasing amounts of the hormone. A persistent increase in the amount of insulin in the blood increases testosterone levels.

An increased amount of male sex hormones disrupts the normal menstrual cycle. That is why women are advised to monitor their weight and avoid obesity.

Infectious process

Any inflammatory process disrupts the normal course of the female cycle. The body perceives it as a negative background for the onset of conception, and therefore blocks or delays ovulation.

One of the most common causes of delayed menstrual bleeding is colds and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Usually, with such pathologies, the cycle shifts by no more than 7-8 days.

Specific diseases of the genitourinary organs (,) can cause prolonged absence of menstruation due to disruption of the internal organs. If a woman has pain or tightness in her lower abdomen, pathological discharge from the genital tract is observed, body temperature rises, or pain occurs during sexual intercourse, she should consult a specialist.

This pathology is characterized by multiple changes in hormonal levels, causing blocking of ovulation and a shift in the menstrual cycle. In polycystic ovary syndrome, the endocrine function of the pituitary gland is disrupted. This leads to the maturation of several follicles, but none of them becomes dominant.

With polycystic ovary syndrome, an increased amount of male sex hormones is observed in a woman’s blood. They aggravate the course of the disease, further preventing ovulation. Quite often, against the background of pathology, insulin resistance is observed, which increases the secretion of testosterone.

To diagnose the disease, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound examination. An ultrasound shows enlarged ovaries with many follicles. With pathology, an increase in androgens (male sex hormones) and their derivatives is observed in the blood. Quite often, polycystic ovary syndrome is accompanied by external symptoms - male pattern hair growth, acne, seborrhea, low timbre of voice.

Treatment of the pathology includes taking hormonal contraceptives with antiandrogenic effects. When planning a pregnancy, the expectant mother may be advised to stimulate ovulation with the help of drugs.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease characterized by decreased function of the thyroid gland. There are many factors that cause this condition - iodine deficiency, pituitary gland pathologies, trauma, autoimmune damage.

Thyroid hormones are responsible for all metabolic processes in the human body. With their deficiency, a decrease in reproductive function is observed due to blocking ovulation. That is why, with hypothyroidism, long delays in menstruation, even its absence, are often observed.

To diagnose pathologies of the thyroid gland, ultrasound examination and calculation of the amount of hormones in the blood are used. Treatment is based on the type of disease and may include iodine supplementation, replacement therapy, or surgery.

Hyperprolactinemia

This disease is characterized by increased synthesis of the pituitary hormone prolactin. Its excess quantity blocks ovulation and disrupts the menstrual cycle. Hyperprolactinemia occurs due to injury, pituitary tumors, medications, or disruptions in hormonal regulation.

Diagnosis of pathology includes a blood test for hormones, as well as an MRI or CT scan of the brain. To treat this disease, dopamine agonist medications are used.

Hyperprolactinemia: the main mechanism for the development of PMS

Pregnancy

Delayed menstruation is considered one of the very first signs of pregnancy. To confirm conception, the expectant mother can use test strips that determine the level of hCG in the urine. The most modern of them can detect pregnancy even before a missed period.

In addition to pregnancy, delayed menstruation can be caused by more rare pathologies and diseases:

• Itsenko-Cushing's disease (overproduction of adrenal hormones);
• Addison's disease (underproduction of the adrenal cortex);
• tumors of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland;
• damage to the endometrium of the uterus (as a result of surgery, cleaning, abortion);
• resistant ovarian syndrome (autoimmune disease);
• ovarian wasting syndrome (premature menopause);
• ovarian hyperinhibition syndrome (due to long-term use of oral contraception, radiation exposure).

In the gynecologist's office it is often heard: “My period is late every month, what does this mean?” All women experience minor deviations in the timing of menstruation from time to time. The reasons for constant delays in menstruation are different: from harmless features of physiology, the body’s reaction to external factors to diseases that require intervention. Let's figure out when you shouldn't worry, and when you need to rush to the doctor.

What is considered a delay?

A normal menstrual cycle lasts 21-35 days, often with errors in different directions up to a week, with bleeding lasting 3-7 days. A 5-day delay in menstruation is not considered critical: you need to do a test to rule out pregnancy and more closely monitor the nature of the bleeding.

The duration of the cycle is calculated from the first day of menstruation until the day the next cycle begins. It is convenient to mark the beginning of the cycle every month in a special application - by analyzing the information, you can notice a violation in time and sound the alarm.

Constant delays in menstruation can be caused by either a minor failure or a hormonal imbalance or other pathologies.

Reasons for constant delays

Cycle fluctuations are a common occurrence that happens many times in every woman’s life.

Why are there constant delays in menstruation?

• Natural causes - puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, premenopause, cycle without ovulation.
• Pathological causes - gynecological problems, hormonal imbalances, abortion, miscarriage, taking certain medications, withdrawal of hormonal drugs, sudden weight fluctuations, low or too high body mass index, excessive physical activity, stressful situations, climate change, exposure to poisonous substances or toxins, chronic diseases and ARVI.

A constant delay in menstruation for more than 10 days, if it is not associated with natural age-related reasons, may indicate pathology - this requires close attention and medical care

Physiological reasons

A permanent delay in menstruation usually occurs for reasons related to age-related and functional changes in the functioning of the reproductive system.

• Puberty. After the onset of menarche in adolescents, the cycle is established for up to two years, so it can be irregular - sometimes shortened, sometimes delayed. This is normal, no need to worry.

• Pregnancy. Before the invention of ultrasound and hCG testing, a missed period was considered a relatively reliable sign of pregnancy. Nowadays, if there is such a possibility, a home test will clarify this issue on the first day of the delay with an accuracy of 80-90%.
• Menstruation after childbirth and lactation. When breastfeeding, menstruation does not occur for 7-18 months. Prolactin, which stimulates milk production, inhibits ovulation.
• Premenopause and menopause. The function of the reproductive system gradually weakens. WHO declares the end of fertile age at 49 years. After 40, the nature and duration of the cycle changes.
• Anovulatory cycle. Researchers don't know why nearly every woman experiences cycles without ovulation some months. During these periods there is a delay.

Read also 🗓 Why chills occur before menstruation - what are the main reasons?

Pathological causes

Most often, periods are constantly delayed for the following reasons:

1. Delayed periods are the most common cause of stress. Nervous shocks, chronic lack of sleep, constant targeted negative influences, troubles in the family and at work, passing exams, financial difficulties and uncertainty in the future - the body perceives all this as a signal to postpone conception: the work of the hypothalamic-pituitary system is upset, which leads to a decrease in production luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones.
2. Rapid weight loss or gain. Adipose tissue takes part in the metabolism of sex hormones and acts as a depot. When your weight fluctuates dramatically, hormone production cannot keep up with the gain or loss of fat tissue. When you become addicted to diets, a deficiency of one or more essential elements inevitably occurs, which leads to cycle disruptions. A very difficult situation is anorexia. In this case, menstruation stops completely due to a threat to life.
3. Too intense physical activity. For professional athletes and women who do hard work, delayed menstruation is a typical problem.
4. Change of climate and time zone. Vacation in a hot country in January or frequent business trips contribute to irregularities in the menstrual cycle. As does prolonged exposure to the sun.
5. Abortion, miscarriage, hysteroscopy. During surgery, the endometrial layer is removed and it needs time to recover.

Less common and more serious causes of changes in the time of menstruation:

1. Taking medications. With long-term use of antidepressants, corticosteroids, diuretics, psychotropic and some other drugs, side effects are common, and delayed menstruation is one of them.
2. Canceling or taking hormonal medications. If a woman took oral contraceptives for several years, she did not produce her sex hormones. After stopping hormonal medications, it takes 2-3 months to return to your rhythm. When taking emergency contraceptives (Postinor, etc.), even one-time, there is a real blow to the delicate system of producing your own hormones, so there may be a delay.
3. . A dangerous condition requiring immediate hospitalization.
4. Chronic diseases. Chronic gastritis, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the urinary system, breast cancer affect all organs and systems of the body.
5. ARVI. Despite the apparent frivolity of this disease, its consequences can be severe.
6. The presence of gynecological diagnoses, such as: salpingoophoritis, cervicitis, endometrial hyperplasia or hypoplasia, uterine polyp, endometriosis, endometritis, impaired follicle maturation, neoplasms (uterine fibroids, cysts, cervical cancer), ovarian disease (polycystic disease, corpus luteum cyst, resistant syndrome ovaries or their premature depletion) causes disturbances in the normal cycle.
7. Hormonal disorders: hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism, pituitary or adrenal adenoma, ovarian dysfunction - always affect the duration of the cycle.