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

Any woman knows her individual rate of 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 allowable period for delaying menstrual flow.

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

Note! In girls, menarche (the first regulation) 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 allocations. At a young age, a 5-day delay in discharge should not cause concern.

If after two years the menstruation has not stabilized, then you should contact a gynecologist to determine the normal functioning of the uterus and ovaries. The "dry" period of a healthy woman and girl is 28-35 days. It is through this time that spotting appears monthly.

Phases of the menstrual cycle

In older women, the extinction of sexual function occurs, 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 indicator of the arrival of menopause in women is the age of 44-50 years. But there are exceptions of menopausal ovarian dysfunction in one direction or the other.

Reasons for delayed menstruation

Delayed menstruation (main causes, except for pregnancy, why there is a delay in menstruation):

Gynecological reasons;
Not gynecological reasons.

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

Delayed periods can have gynecological and non-gynecological reasons

Gynecological reasons:

puberty;
diseases (polycystic ovaries, uterine fibroids, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst);
menopause;
long-term use of contraceptives;
lactation.

Non-gynecological causes:

stress;
climate change;
diet;
anorexia;
bad ecology;
diseases (SARS, gastritis, thyroid and kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus);
intoxication;
excessive physical activity;
excess weight.

Important to remember! Certain medications used to treat urinary tract infections, stomach ulcers, and depression can delay menstruation.

Leading an unhealthy lifestyle, the use of drugs, large doses of alcohol and smoking - all this can change the monthly regular arrival of menstruation.

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

A test error is also possible if the delay in menstruation and the test is negative.

The reasons why the delay in menstruation, and the test is negative

As soon as the regulation delay occurs, women use express 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 Mme / ml. Starting from the 7th day of pregnancy, this figure increases by 5 times.

Errors during testing can be primarily from non-compliance with the instructions, and a poor-quality product. There are many tests that give errors in kidney disease and hormonal imbalance. Violation of the integrity of the package and the expired expiration date also do not promise a reliable test result.

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

Therefore, testing should be carried out at the first daily urination. Pregnancy with pathology (frozen or ectopic) will not indicate an increase in the level of hCG in the blood.

False positives are less common than false negatives. Such a result can be in the case of termination of pregnancy at a very early date, which showed the actual level of hCG at the time of pregnancy. Tumors formed against the background of hormonal failure contribute to the production of hCG, which can mislead a woman.

A positive test result may be in the case 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 indistinct second test line gives rise to retesting after 3-5 days, and in the case of IVF, you will need to wait 10-15 days. The error of the test, no doubt, is possible, therefore, doctors recommend that you double-check the result two more times without fail.

How many days can a missed period last without pregnancy?

Not causing concern, the delay in regulation is 5-7 days in a woman of young and middle reproductive age. In the case of older women against the background of menopause, the maximum delay can be about six months. The acceptable period for delaying the arrival of menstruation after the first sexual intercourse is 2-4 days.

What and how affects the menstrual period in women

Women's health is influenced by many factors: the 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 preparation is chosen incorrectly, a delay in menstruation may occur. Only those pills that contain only progestogen do not affect the length of the cycle. Long-term use of an oral contraceptive reduces the intensity of secretions. Antidepressants, according to doctors, rarely cause a delay in menstruation. This group of drugs reduces the intensity of menstrual blood secreted. In the process of treatment with antiulcer drugs, the regularity of the menstrual cycle is sometimes disturbed.
Homeopathic preparations	Homeopathic medicines are often prescribed by gynecologists to their patients in order to normalize a woman's hormonal background. This group of drugs rarely causes a delay in menstruation, since they do not contain potent substances and hormones. Most often, menstruation is late due to a pathological condition in which a specialist prescribes a homeopathic remedy - a depressive state, severe stress, etc.
upland uterus	The boron uterus contains phytohormones (phytoprogesterone and phytoestrogen), so the plant affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle. With the help of such a tool, you can normalize the hormonal background of a woman, eliminate inflammation in the pelvic organs and increase local immunity. If you approach the treatment process irresponsibly, then side effects may occur, which manifest themselves in the form of hormonal failure and deterioration in general well-being. The girls claim that after the consumption of the upland uterus, there is a delay due to successful conception. It should be remembered that the herb suppresses ovulation in the event that it is incorrect to carry out therapy with a healing agent. The plant is necessary to maintain the second phase of the cycle - progesterone.
Tranexam	Gynecologists say that Tranexam is an effective hemostatic drug that does not cause delays. Such a medication is prescribed to patients in the event that a hormonal failure occurs. The “delay” of critical days in this situation indicates that the cycle has not yet recovered after Tranexam therapy.
Premenopausal syndrome	Violation of the menstrual cycle is the main symptom of menopause for women after 50. Due to the extinction of the reproductive function, there is a delay in menstruation. Over time, the amount of blood released during critical days decreases. The main symptoms of menopause include: hot flashes, weakness, insomnia, depression. During menopause, there are problems 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 drug is absolutely safe and does not provoke the development of side effects. Vitamin B9 strengthens the immune system and has a positive effect on the state of the circulatory system.
Edas 927	The drug "Mastiol Edas 927" refers to homeopathic medicines. Assign with mastopathy. Gynecologists say that taking the medicine does not affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Sugar grains, calcium fluoride, creosote, spotted hemlock are the substances that are part of this remedy. The elements do not adversely affect the reproductive system of women.
Oxyprogesterone capronate	Injections of oxyprogesterone capronate are prescribed to those girls who have a long delay in menstruation. Reviews of women indicate that this substance is administered to patients intravenously to normalize hormonal levels. If you self-medicate and choose the wrong dosage of the remedy, you may experience a delay in menstruation. Only a doctor should develop an individual treatment regimen - depending on the physiological characteristics of the patient's body and the severity of the pathology.
Hormonal coil Mirena	Levonorgestrel is a hormonal substance that is contained in the Mirena spiral. This element is excreted in the uterus. Under such conditions, the process of growth and rejection of the endometrium is blocked. Since the action of the hormone occurs only inside the reproductive organ, the risk of hormonal failure is reduced. The spiral inhibits sperm motility and blocks ovulation, but does not affect the hormonal background of a woman. Side effects are manifested exclusively in the form of headache, acne, heart pain. The intrauterine device does not protect against genital infections, which often disrupt the menstrual cycle. The installed spiral, in the presence of contraindications, sometimes causes the development of an inflammatory process. In this situation, the length of the menstrual cycle may be disturbed.
Sports loads	If you actively engage in sports and diet, then a person will rapidly lose weight. Extreme weight loss can cause a delay in menstruation. A sharp jump in weight for the body is a lot of stress. A new and unusual load on the body sometimes affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle. In this case, doctors recommend eating right and balanced - after a few months, the cycle normalizes.
climate change	The female body is too vulnerable to any negative environmental impact. Moving to another country sometimes provokes the appearance of a headache, weakness, drowsiness, irritability, nausea and apathy. The duration of getting used 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 is under 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 abundant and accompanied by painful sensations. Due to hormonal failure, which was caused by emotional stress, problems may arise in the work of the girl's reproductive system. A change in the stability of the lifestyle is reflected in the functioning of the female body.
Cold	Flu and colds are a great stress for the body. Under such conditions, the protective function of the body decreases and the regularity of menstruation is disturbed. It will be possible to resume the full-fledged work of the woman's reproductive system without additional therapy - it takes 1.5 months to normalize.
Thrush	If the protective function of the body is weakened, candidiasis may occur. The disease develops as a result of pregnancy, drug exposure, 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 disturbed.
Cystitis	With cystitis, there is often a delay in menstruation. This is due to generalized inflammation, which affects not only the mucous membranes of the bladder, but also the organs of the small pelvis.
Ovarian cyst	When a follicular cyst occurs, there is a delay in menstruation. Such a neoplasm is benign. After resorption of the cyst, 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 it possible to fail in the cycle. Accession of an infection can cause a delay.
endometriosis	With this disease, the endometrium begins to grow. In the process of developing the disease, there is often a delay in menstruation and pain in the pelvic organs. This disease often causes infertility. Gynecological diseases adversely affect the functioning of the female genital organs. Under such conditions, hormonal failure 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 allowable delay period has expired, action should be taken. Pregnancy testing should be the first plan.

If the pregnancy is not confirmed, and the normal waiting period has passed, without delay, you need to go to the antenatal clinic. At the appointment, you will need to talk about how you feel, the appearance of new symptoms, be examined and take tests.

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 soon as possible.

If the chest hurts, but there is no menstruation - what does this mean?

Before the onset of critical days, a significant number of women notice swelling, pain and sensitivity of the mammary glands. If the chest hurts, and menstruation has not come, then this can be a signal for the beginning of the birth of a new life.

This happens 70% of the time. If pregnancy has not occurred, and the mammary glands continue to bother, then in 20% of the problems are associated with mastopathy.

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

oncology of these organs;
the process of ovulation;
a consequence of active physical exercise (muscle strain);
hormonal imbalance;
shingles.

Why does my stomach hurt but I don't get my period?

It can also disturb pain in the abdomen in the absence of menstruation. Some women experience pain during ovulation when the follicle ruptures. This is a normal process, which is attributed to the individual characteristics of the organism.

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

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, colitis can cause trouble. If, in addition to the abdomen, a woman is worried about a bursting sensation in the mammary glands, fibroids can be suspected. With pain in the abdomen and the absence of regulation, it is worth undergoing an examination to exclude an ectopic pregnancy.

How much can you not worry?

Important to remember! Every woman has a different menstrual cycle. Most often, a steady cycle (21-35 days) accompanies a woman throughout her reproductive age from 18 to 45 years.

The countdown begins on the first day of discharges and lasts until the arrival of the next.
A healthy woman has no reason to worry within 1-3 days with regular menstruation.

Delayed menstruation 1-4 days: causes

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

a recent cold;
excessive physical activity;
climate change;
a sharp change in nutrition;
emotional, nervous breakdown.

If the delay of menstruation is 5 days (the test is negative): 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 the normal range. A woman has time before starting to take action.

The reason for the failure of the regularity of the cycle can be the consequences of workaholism, which lead to exhaustion of the body, lack of sleep and a decrease in vitality. In the absence of poor health and unpleasant symptoms, we can talk about the absence of a problem.

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

Physicians are paying attention! A delay in menstruation for 6-10 days is the first call for a woman. It can signal a borderline condition, pregnancy or illness.

With the exclusion of pregnancy, doctors called such a delay secondary amenorrhea. A very dangerous condition for a woman, which should be excluded first of all, is an ectopic pregnancy.

The symptoms of this pregnancy are:

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

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

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

The good health of a woman and the presence of a partner obliges testing. When the fact of pregnancy is not confirmed, it is necessary to 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:

vaginitis;
Polycystic;
Candidiasis;
Thrush;
Adnexitis;
Myoma, tumors.

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

pancreatitis;
Duodenitis;
Chronic gastritis;
Diabetes;
Pyelonephritis;
Diseases of the adrenal glands;
Anorexia.

Delay 2 weeks or more

Waiting for critical days for more than two weeks no longer leaves hope that everything is in order with the woman's body. Such a condition cannot be ignored, even if the woman is not worried about anything. A trip to the antenatal clinic should be organized as soon as possible.

What to do if there is no menstruation for 2 (two) months, but not pregnant

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

As soon as a woman finds vaginal discharge that does not resemble menstruation, she should go to the clinic. After refusing to take contraceptives, critical days should come in 2-3 months, if this did not happen, and there is discomfort below - the trip to the antenatal clinic is not postponed.

No period for 3 months but not pregnant

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

Why there is no period after an abortion

Important to remember! Each woman after an abortion, the menstrual cycle is restored in different ways.

In this situation, it is worth taking into account the term and method of the interrupted pregnancy, the physiological characteristics of the patient. Subject to a normal outcome of the operation, after 1 month. after the abortion, the rules should begin. The first day of the cycle should be considered the date of the operation.

Doctors are paying attention! If there is no period 31 days after the surgical termination of the pregnancy, it is recommended to visit a doctor to avoid health problems.

Delayed period while breastfeeding

The return of menstruation in recent women in labor will depend on the lactation process, in 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 is not implemented (caesarean section, refusal to breastfeed, other reasons), then the cycle will be restored after 1 month.

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

Important to remember! To accurately predict the time of the beginning of the restoration of the menstrual cycle after childbirth, it is necessary to take into account:

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

If the mother feeds the child at the request of the child, then the monthly discharge will be restored one year after the birth. With a mixed type of feeding, you can expect the return of menstruation after 3-4 months. In 80% of women in childbirth, critical days come after weaning the baby.

Attention: Dangerous Delay Reasons

Dangerous reasons for delay:

Andexite;
polycystic ovaries;
Endometriosis.

At risk are diseases of the gynecological and endocrine spheres. Diseases of the ovaries, adrenal glands and thyroid gland can cause polycystic ovary syndrome and lead to infertility.

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

What threatens frequent delays in menstruation?

Ignoring periodic delays is not recommended. And in the event that they have become frequent, it is completely impossible to show a careless attitude towards a woman's health.

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

What to do if there is no menstruation?

The delay forces the woman to wait a week, and then go to a medical facility. Any deviation of the menstrual cycle from the norm is a reason for contacting the antenatal clinic.

Together with the gynecologist, the cause of the failure of the menstrual cycle will be clarified. To do this, you will need to take tests, be tested for pregnancy, 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 weekly delay, you should not panic and try to induce menstruation.

It's important to know! In women who have not reached menopause and have passed the age of menerche, constant delays in critical days 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 with a delay

It is possible to provoke monthly bleeding during a delay both under medical supervision and at home. Almost all medications that are used to restore the menstrual cycle are hormonal.

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

How to induce menstruation with a delay at home

Having established the hormonal picture of the patient, the gynecologist prescribes the intake of special drugs according to the scheme. 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 exercises.

Herbal decoction:

Elecampane;
Oregano;
nettles;
Rosehip;
yarrow;
Knotweed.

Herbs taken in 2 tbsp. l., and filled with 1 liter. boiling water, consumed after 12 hours of exposure for one day. To call menstruation, they also drink a decoction of onion peel, ginger.

Preparations for hormonal failure (Dufaston and others with a delay in menstruation)

In the event that no serious health problems have been identified, doctors prescribe special drugs that stimulate the arrival of critical days.

These 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 provided by the concentration of progesterone. In case of pregnancy, this drug will not bring harm to the fetus, and it will not be able to terminate the pregnancy. Dufaston will give a result only if a hormonal failure is detected.

If the delay is due to stress, then Pulsatilla will help to speed up the onset of menstruation., 6 granules of which thins the blood. Postinor can urgently cause menstruation.

The problem of delayed menstruation 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 investigated.

It is imperative to consult a specialist with frequent delays in menstruation in order to exclude serious diseases, including malignant tumors, mental disorders, infertility and other gynecological diseases.

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

Delayed monthly test is negative. Why and what to do:

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

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

10 reasons why you may have missed your period

Fluctuations and unevenness of the menstrual cycle (or as it is also called PMS) is a normal phenomenon, because of which you should not immediately panic. A delay in menstruation up to about 5 days is considered the norm, if a little more, then this may be an under investigation symptom of some processes. However, the most common cause of delay is pregnancy. A pregnancy test will help determine if you are pregnant or not. In cases where 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 can occur due to:

1. Ovulatory anomaly. Its cause may be a side effect after hormone 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 the complete absence of menstruation may occur. This happens most often either due to a sudden interruption of the course, or due to taking the “next day” pills - that is, 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 an unovulated follicle), or, a corpus luteum cyst. In cases where the cyst "lives" longer than expected, then there is a delay in menstruation. It is dangerous if these syndromes recur very often.

4. PCOS or Polycystic ovaries. Diseases characterized by a violation of the production of hormones. Polycystic ovaries prevent ovulation.

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

6. Abortion or Termination of pregnancy. There is a violation of the hormonal balance, as well as damage to the tissues of the uterus.

7. Long lasting. strong or short-term stress is also the cause of the failure of the menstrual cycle

8. Rapid 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 cycle delay can also occur as a result of a shortage, or as a result of improper nutrition.

10. Frequent physical activity. For example, playing sports or lifting weights can shift the normal cycle by a few days.

Many women experience stress with menstrual irregularities.

The thought of pregnancy immediately arises. The delay of menstruation, the test is negative - 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 allowable volume, anemia may develop.

Lack of menstruation, or about 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 (breast).

However, a negative pregnancy test is puzzling.

One more check can be made.

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 is implausible with a large intake of fluid and kidney disease.

What to do?

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

For women, the question arises: when can an ultrasound examination show pregnancy? Experts say that from the 5th day.

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

If the delay is 10 days, the test is negative, you need to do an analysis for chorionic gonadotropin. They say about pregnancy if more than 25 IU / l.

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

If a woman has a kidney and genital tumor in her body, or she has taken hormonal drugs, the hCG level may be more than 25.

The same picture is observed with cystic drift and a malignant tumor of the uterus.

The result can be negative and in the presence of pregnancy. It is important not to take medication for 2-3 days before the analysis.

Results may be inaccurate when analysis is done too early. For example, for 3-4 days of delay.

You can do a re-analysis on the 7th day of delay.

The second reason - . In order to exclude this (with a delay in menstruation), you must consult a doctor.

Reasons for the delay

For ovarian dysfunction there is a violation of the menstrual cycle .

Any deviations from it, which are accompanied by nausea, cramping pains, irritability and discharge, are a reason to see a doctor.

If there is no menstruation for several months, the doctor may diagnose amenorrhea.

This disease is independent of age. It can affect both a 16-year-old girl and a 45-year-old woman.

If this is due to pregnancy and feeding a child, 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 adversely affect women's health.

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

At the same time, a violation of the cycle is one of the first and earliest symptoms of chronic fatigue.

Weight problems

Being overweight or underweight also often affects the menstrual cycle.

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

Overweight women often go to the doctor with statements like, “I haven't had my period in three months. 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 level (45 kg), the cycle is disturbed, up to the complete cessation of secretions. Menstruation is restored with weight adjustment.

Breaking the cycle is possible when moving to different time zones and climate zones.

Often flight attendants also go to the doctor with the problem of an unstable menstrual cycle, weekly delays. Dysmenorrhea is often the case with flight attendants.

long sun exposure can also cause cycle disruption.
Harmful and pernicious habits: nicotine (), alcohol, drugs have an effect on menstruation.
Diseases: ARVI, acute respiratory infections, gastritis, diabetes mellitus, 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 a woman stops taking her 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 my lower abdomen. I have constant nausea, white discharge, but the test is negative.”

This also happens with emergency hormonal contraception (Escapel, Postinor).

Here is another example of a common problem: “I took Lindinet 20. It's been 9 days now that I haven't had my period. I took a pregnancy test and it was negative.

The body after taking contraceptives 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, there is a decrease in sexual function. Often patients come with the question: “I have not started my period for two weeks now. Why?".

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

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

Cyclic changes in menstruation are also referred to as violations.

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

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

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

Pathological causes

Inflammatory diseases

Any inflammation can cause a change 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;
violation of menstruation;
increase in body temperature;
infertility.

Cystitis

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

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

Women come to see a gynecologist for a check-up.

Even after a complete cure, the cycle may not recover. In the body of a woman, pathology can develop.

Therefore, it is important to do an ultrasound scan, 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 a violation of menstruation.

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

polycystic ovary syndrome

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

With this pathology, there is a violation of the menstrual cycle. The characteristic symptoms of PCOS are as follows:

delay in the menstrual cycle;
lack of ovulation;
amenorrhea;
high levels of male sex hormones;
hirsutism;
infertility;
obesity.

Diagnosis is 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: “I have a delay in menstruation for 2 weeks. The pregnancy test shows a negative result. However, for 14 days I feel nausea, severe pain in the ovaries. I also had a fever."

For all these striking signs, the doctor may suggest an ovarian cyst. Moreover, these symptoms indicate that the leg of the cyst is twisted.

Treatment

The reasons that cause a large delay are different.

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

There are several strategies for treating infertility in PCOS.

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

With a pituitary tumor, different treatment tactics are chosen. The prognosis directly depends on the size of the tumor and its hormonal function. If the concentration of prolactin is more than 500 ng / ml, drug therapy is prescribed. If it is less, then the operation 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. With a large weight loss, you should balance the diet.

When obese, it is necessary to exclude fats and easily digestible carbohydrates from the menu. This is where a nutritionist comes in.

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

Proper diet, adherence to the daily routine, quitting smoking, alcohol, coffee will correct your health, and the menstrual cycle will be restored.

Modern medicine does not exclude treatment with homeopathic medicines.

Also, acupuncture can give good results with a delay in menstruation.

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

Several pregnancy tests can be done. As a rule, you have to wait a few more days.

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

A missed period is one of the earliest signs of conception. However, not always the absence of menstruation on time indicates pregnancy. Sometimes a delay is a consequence of stress, emotional stress, hormonal failure, 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 correct functioning of the reproductive system.
- a complex 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 length of the menstrual cycle is . However, its length in healthy women can be shortened to 21 days or lengthened to 35 days.

Ovulation is the process of the release of the female germ cell from the ovary into the free abdominal cavity. This event corresponds to the middle of the menstrual cycle - 12-16 days. 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. Usually this event occurs between the ages of 11 and 14 years, but the period from 9 to 16 years is considered the norm. The time of menarche depends on many factors - genetics, physique, diet, general health.

Menopause or menopause is the last menstrual cycle in life. This diagnosis is established after the fact, after 12 months of no bleeding. The normal range for the onset of menopause is the period 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 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 is the rejection of the endometrium of the uterus - its inner mucous layer.

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

A delay in 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 of 2-3 days are possible. Delayed menstruation can occur in women and girls of any age due to natural (physiological) and pathological causes.

Reasons for delayed menstruation

stress

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

Psychological and emotional stresses are an unfavorable environment for pregnancy. That 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.

The reason for the delay in menstruation can be various stresses. Some women calmly endure severe shocks (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 reasons for the delay in menstruation also include severe lack of sleep and overwork. To restore the cycle, a woman should exclude the action of a 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 nature, the female body is not adapted to strong physical exertion. Excessive power stress can cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle. Such disorders of the reproductive system are quite often observed in professional athletes.

The reason for the delay in menstruation during heavy physical exertion is the production of an increased amount of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Thanks to him, the growth of muscle tissue in response to its tension is possible. Normally, the female body has a small amount of testosterone, but its increase leads to disruptions in the menstrual cycle.

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

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

What are the reasons for the delay in menstruation?

climate change

Sometimes the human body is hard to adapt to new living conditions. A sharp change in climate can cause menstrual irregularities. Most often, this feature is observed when traveling to hot and humid countries.

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

Another reason for delayed periods with a negative pregnancy test is prolonged exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet rays have a negative effect on the functioning of the ovaries. The delay can be observed with the abuse of the solarium.

Typically, the delay in menstrual bleeding during travel does not exceed 10 days. With its longer absence, a woman should consult a specialist.

Hormonal changes

In adolescent 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 set by the age of 14-17, if the delay in menstruation continues after 17-19 years, the girl should consult a specialist.

The reason for the delay in menstruation after 40 years is the onset of menopause, characterized by the extinction of the reproductive function. Typically, the menopausal 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, jumps 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 blockage of ovulation and absence of menstrual bleeding. This reaction is conceived by nature, since the female body must recover after childbirth.

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

Natural hormonal changes occur after the abolition of oral contraceptives. During their intake, the ovaries stop functioning, so they need 1-3 months to recover. This reaction of the body is considered absolutely normal, it does not require medical adjustment.

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

Underweight and malnutrition

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

Insufficient nutrition is the cause of severe weight loss, which leads to amenorrhea - the absence of menstruation. With a strong lack of mass, cyclic bleeding may not be observed for a long period of time. This feature is adaptive in nature - the brain sends signals that a 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. These substances are involved 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 revise her diet. It should include sea fish, red meat, nuts, vegetable oil. If necessary, vitamin E preparations can be used.

Obesity

An increase in body weight can provoke a violation of the menstrual cycle. The mechanism of the pathology of the reproductive function is associated with blocking ovulation due to excessive accumulation of estrogen 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 more and more 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, therefore it blocks or delays ovulation.

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

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

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

With polycystic ovary syndrome, an increased amount of male sex hormones is observed in the blood of a woman. 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. Ultrasound shows enlarged ovaries with many follicles. With pathology in the blood, an increase in androgens (male sex hormones) and their derivatives is observed. Quite often, polycystic ovary syndrome is accompanied by external symptoms - male pattern hair, acne, seborrhea, low voice.

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

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease characterized by a decrease in thyroid function. There are many factors that cause this condition - iodine deficiency, pituitary pathology, 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, there are often long delays in menstruation, up to its absence.

To diagnose pathologies of the thyroid gland, its ultrasound examination and the 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, and surgery.

Hyperprolactinemia

This disease is characterized by increased synthesis of the pituitary hormone - prolactin. Its excessive amount blocks ovulation and disrupts the menstrual cycle. Hyperprolactinemia occurs due to trauma, 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. Dopamine agonists are used to treat this disease.

Hyperprolactinemia: the main mechanism for the development of PMS

Pregnancy

Delayed menstruation is considered one of the earliest 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 determine pregnancy even before the delay in menstruation.

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

Itsenko-Cushing's disease (hyperproduction of hormones of the adrenal cortex);
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 ovary syndrome (an autoimmune disease);
ovarian exhaustion syndrome (premature menopause);
ovarian hyperinhibition syndrome (against the background of long-term use of oral contraception, radiation exposure).

In the office of gynecologists, it is often heard: “I have a delay in menstruation every month, what does this mean?”. All women from time to time have minor deviations in the timing of the onset of menstruation. The reasons for the constant delays in menstruation are different: from harmless features of physiology, the body's reaction to external factors to diseases that require intervention. We will figure out in which case you should not worry, and when you need to rush to the doctor.

What is considered a delay

The normal menstrual cycle lasts 21-35 days, often with errors in different directions up to a week, with a bleeding duration of 3-7 days. A delay in menstruation for 5 days is not considered critical: you need to do a test to exclude pregnancy and carefully monitor the nature of the bleeding.

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

Permanent delays in menstruation are caused by both a small failure and a violation of the state of the hormonal background or other pathologies.

Reasons for constant delays

Cyclic fluctuations are a common occurrence that happens many times in every woman's life.

Why there are constant delays in menstruation:

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

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

Physiological causes

A constant delay in menstruation is usually due to reasons associated with age-related and functional changes in the reproductive system.

Puberty. After the onset of menarche in adolescents, the cycle is set up to two years, so it can be irregular - either shorten or linger. This is normal, no need to worry.

Pregnancy. Before the invention of ultrasound and testing for hCG, missed periods were 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 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 childbearing age at 49 years. After 40, the nature and duration of the cycle changes.
anovulatory cycle. Researchers don't know why almost every woman has cycles without ovulation some months. During these periods there is a delay.

Read also 🗓 Why there is a chill before menstruation - what are the main reasons

Pathological causes

Most often, menstruation is constantly delayed for the following reasons:

Due to stress, the delay in menstruation is the most common. Nervous shocks, chronic lack of sleep, constant point negative impacts, troubles in the family and at work, passing exams, financial difficulties and uncertainty about the future - all this is perceived by the body 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.
Rapid weight loss or gain. Adipose tissue takes part in the metabolism of sex hormones and acts as a depot. With dramatic weight fluctuations, the production of hormones does not keep pace with the increase or loss of adipose tissue. With a passion for diets, a deficiency of one or more essential elements inevitably occurs, which leads to cycle disorders. A very difficult situation is anorexia. In this case, menstruation completely stops due to the threat of life.
Too intense physical activity. In professional athletes and women doing hard work, delayed menstruation is a typical problem.
Changes in climate and time zone. Holidays in a hot country in January or frequent business trips contribute to menstrual irregularities. As well as prolonged exposure to the sun.
Abortion, miscarriage, hysteroscopy. During surgery, the layer of the endometrium is removed, it needs time to recover.

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

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