What could be due to the delayed menstrual period? Could it be a sign of pregnancy?
Let's find out together most common causes.
In this article
- Late ovulation
- Persistence of the corpus luteum
- Stress period
- Excessive weight loss
Late ovulation
A delay in the cycle may simply be due to a later ovulation, which occurs for example on the 16-17th day instead of the 14th and therefore delays the onset of menstruation by 2-3 days.
It should be emphasized that it is difficult for women to have a regular 28-day cycle every month and there are many variables that can affect fluctuations.
A persistence of the corpus luteum
"Sometimes there may be a persistence of the corpus luteum (the ovulated follicle that has the task of producing progesterone to nourish the endometrium and prepare it to accept an eventual embryo), since high levels of progesterone inhibit the arrival of menstruation" he notes the gynecologist Rossana.
A period of stress
Stress can also affect the regularity of the cycle. "Under stressful conditions, our nervous system secretes natural opioids, which are morphine-like substances that have a calming effect but at the same time block the synthesis of LH and FSH, the two hormones that induce the ovary to produce the egg and allow ovulation, "explains the gynecologist. This is why when you are very stressed, your period can delay or even skip for a month.
Excessive weight loss
A heavy weight loss can delay the cycle because it decreases the adipose tissue that regulates the metabolism of estrogen. It is as if the body sends the signal to the pituitary gland that it is not the right time for pregnancy because there are not enough stores of fat, and here is the cycle.
Not for nothing when you return to an adequate weight and a sufficient amount of adipose tissue, the cycle returns. In any case, if after a week or ten days your period does not arrive… maybe it is better to take a pregnancy test!
After two months of absence of the cycle we speak of amenorrhea, secondary, to distinguish it from the primary one which refers to women who have never had a period.
What to do if your period doesn't come?
In case of delay, a pregnancy test is carried out and a long or irregular cycle is taken if the patient has problems with infertility.
Often oligomenorrhea (the alternation of the duration of the menstrual cycle) leads to amenorrhea and is an expression of an endocrine dysfunction: a series of hormonal tests must be performed, the treatment is specific depending on the diagnosis.
You may also be interested:
- Pain in the ovaries
- Symptoms of a pregnancy
Read the insights on the menstrual cycle
TAG:
- cycle delay
- period
- pains
