Why can there be a delay in menstruation. Why don't my periods come on time? Climatic environmental conditions

“No menstruation for a year” - a woman often encounters such a situation, remaining at a loss, since there can be many reasons that caused it. Regular periods are evidence women's health and their absence long time may be a sign of serious pathological disorders. It is impossible to independently determine the factors that violated the reproductive functions of a woman, and only a specialist can do this on the basis of the tests performed and after a thorough examination.

Amenorrhea symptoms

In the case of a delay and absence of menstruation for six months or more in a woman under the age of 45, when menopause is out of the question, one can judge the presence of a disease called amenorrhea. This condition is a consequence of serious disorders in the female body caused by hormonal imbalance, genetic predisposition, physiological factors or the psycho-emotional state of the woman.

Various types of disease

A delay in menstruation may different character, and in order to eliminate this violation, it is necessary to clarify the nature of this pathological situation. The main types of the disease are as follows:

1. False amenorrhea, in which hormonal changes occur according to the correct pattern of the menstrual cycle, however, menstruation is absent. This can be caused by overgrowth of the hymen or vagina, as well as disturbances in the structure of the uterus. These causes can be easily detected on ultrasound.
2. Amenorrhea true caused by hormonal imbalances. Ovulation at similar cases does not occur and pregnancy does not occur.
3. Amenorrhea physiological, can occur in a teenage girl, in the postpartum period, while breastfeeding, or during menopause.
4. Amenorrhea pathological , which is a serious violation of reproductive functions due to diseases internal organs. It can be primary, in girls who have not yet had menstruation, and secondary - when the absence of menstruation is observed in women with a normal cycle. Treatment of primary amenorrhea is quite effective, but in relation to the secondary, it will take time and some effort.

Causes of amenorrhea

As you know, there can be many reasons why menstruation is absent for a long time. This pathological condition, causing anxiety and anxiety, affects about 10% of the female population of reproductive age who have not reached the period of menopause. The most common of them are:

1. Significant weight loss. Lack of menstruation can occur due to too low body weight. To eliminate this situation, it is necessary to gain the missing weight by increasing the caloric content of the diet to 3000 kcal. per day. Sometimes this is enough to make the symptoms of amenorrhea a thing of the past.
2. Intrauterine adhesions- Synechia of the uterus. If menstruation is absent after the curettage, then this diagnosis is most often suspected. During surgical intervention in the uterus, atrophy of the endometrial layer occurs with the formation of adhesions in the uterine cavity. This diagnosis can be confirmed by hysteroscopy, during which these adhesive processes and liquidate. Menstruation after such a procedure will soon resume. If it is necessary to carry out an operation using curettage, for example, removal of a polyp from the uterine cavity, hysteroscopy should be used. Using this method, the polyp is removed carefully and accurately, without injuring the uterus, and without subsequently causing accretion.
3. Menopause. With a prolonged absence of menstruation, especially if hot flashes began to be felt, it is necessary to check the condition in which the ovaries are located. Perhaps they were exhausted and menopause set in. Usually menopause in women begins around the age of 50, but it can happen earlier. This phenomenon with the onset of menopause much earlier than normal is called early menopause. Most often, the age of menopause depends on genetic predisposition, but in some cases early menopause contributes to the use of some medicines, operations on the ovaries, on the uterus and other gynecological manipulations. In the absence of menstruation, it is necessary to take a blood test for FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). If the indicators are high, then menopause has come. To improve well-being and prolong a full existence during menopause, you can take hormone replacement drugs.
4. Hyperprolactinemia. Pathological condition when an increased content of the hormone prolactin is found in the blood. An increase in prolactin can be physiological and pathological in nature. Elevated prolactin can be the result of natural causes, after sex, during stressful conditions, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and sexual arousal. Pathological deviation in terms of prolactin due to polycystic ovaries and liver disease. In the case of oncological neoplasms, a significant increase in prolactin is also possible.

There are other reasons besides menopause, when menstruation is absent for a long time. This and exorbitant physical exercise, obesity, stressful situations, severe psychological shocks and many others that affect the cyclicity of menstruation and are not so common.

Necessary examination

If there is no menstruation during the year, it is necessary to undergo an examination to find out the cause of this violation. To do this, they prescribe the delivery of tests, by which one can judge the pathology in the body. Tests include a blood test for TSH, which allows you to assess the condition thyroid gland, FSH - to exclude the situation of ovarian exhaustion and premature menopause. A blood test for prolactin allows us to conclude that this hormone affects the delay in menstruation.

During a conversation with a gynecologist, you will need to more fully answer questions about the presence of diseases, about bad habits whether abortions or diagnostic curettage of the uterus were performed. More detailed information plays a significant role in making a final diagnosis and a woman's absence of menstruation.

Treatment of amenorrhea

In addition to the help of a gynecologist, a woman with a long absence of menstruation may need to consult other specialists. The support of relatives and friends also plays an important role in the treatment process.

First of all, the specialist finds out possible deviations physiological indicators of a woman's body, such as lack or excess weight. If necessary, a special diet is prescribed. If menstruation is absent due to polycystic ovaries, an appropriate therapeutic treatment with help hormonal drugs as oral contraceptives. An increase in prolactin is also managed with the help of hormonal agents, using the required dose of the hormone, determined by the results of the tests.

prolactin in women
usually returns to normal within two months. Worse, if hyperprolactinemia is to blame for a benign pituitary tumor - a microadenoma found during an MRI. The situation is saved by treatment with drugs that can reduce the size of the pituitary microadenoma and thereby help the woman avoid brain surgery. If breastfeeding is to blame for the absence of menstruation, then after the cessation of breastfeeding, all processes are quickly restored and menstruation comes the next month.

In conclusion, I would like to conclude that in order to identify the causes prolonged absence monthly, a woman does not need to take dozens various analyzes. During the examination, the doctor must put forward a presumptive analysis, and to confirm it, prescribe the necessary tests.

By the way the reproductive system of a woman functions, one can judge about general condition health. The appearance of cycle disorders, delayed menstruation indicate deviations in the work of the endocrine, nervous and other systems. Regular menstruation normal duration they say that the level of hormones is normal, a woman is able to become pregnant. The reasons for the delay in menstruation can be the processes of natural age-related changes the body's response to external factors. A deviation from the norm is often a sign of a serious illness.

Content:

What is considered a delay in menstruation

It is considered normal if a woman's period comes in 21-35 days. A delay of more than 10 days is a pathology if it is not associated with a physiological restructuring of the body. 1-2 times a year, a slight delay in menstruation occurs in every woman. If this is repeated constantly, then you need to see a doctor for an examination.

Menstruation may occur at intervals of more than 40 days (oligomenorrhea, opsomenorrhea), and may also be absent for several menstrual cycles (amenorrhea).

There are natural causes for missed periods. In addition to pregnancy, this, for example, can be lactation, menopause. If the delay is not associated with normal physiological processes, then the nature of the pathology must be immediately established in order to avoid complications.

Physiological causes of delayed menstruation

The menstrual cycle is a strict sequence of processes associated with the preparation of the female body for pregnancy. Even in a perfectly healthy woman, malfunctions of this mechanism can occur under the influence of external factors. These include:

1. Emotional state: tense expectation of menstruation, if a woman is afraid of an unwanted pregnancy, stress at work, personal experiences.
2. Increased physical and mental stress, intense sports.
3. Moving to a new place of residence, climate change, occupation, daily routine.
4. Improper nutrition, passion for diets, obesity, beriberi.
5. Colds, chronic gastritis, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease.
6. Taking antibiotics and certain other medications.
7. Use of hormonal contraceptives, abrupt withdrawal of contraception.
8. Hormonal changes in the body during puberty. Within 1-2 years, menstruation comes irregularly, even missing for several months due to the immaturity of the ovaries. Then the cycle gets better. If this does not happen, then it is necessary to find out the cause of the violations.
9. Changes hormonal background with climax. Rare irregular periods are a sign of the onset of the perimenopausal period, preceding the complete cessation of menstruation.
10. Increasing the level of prolactin in the body postpartum period associated with milk production. If a woman does not breastfeed a child, then menstruation is restored after 2 months. If she feeds, then menstruation comes after the termination of the attachment of the child to the breast.

Note: If menstruation does not come 1 year after childbirth, this may be a sign of a disease that has arisen due to birth trauma.

Constant delays occur due to intoxication of the body with alcohol, drugs, nicotine. Cycle disorders often occur in women working in hazardous industries on the night shift.

Video: Causes of delayed menstruation. When to See a Doctor

Pathologies that lead to delays in menstruation

In addition to pregnancy, the cause of delayed menstruation can be diseases of the reproductive and endocrine systems.

Hormonal disorders

A common cause of menstrual irregularities are diseases of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, causing appearance hormonal imbalance.

Hypothyroidism- insufficient production of thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Without these substances, the production of sex hormones in the ovaries is impossible: estrogens, progesterone, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which ensure the maturation of the egg, ovulation and other processes of the menstrual cycle. Delayed menstruation is one of the first signs of thyroid disease in women.

Hyperprolactinemia- a disease of the pituitary gland associated with excessive production of prolactin. This hormone suppresses the production of estrogens, which are responsible for the timely maturation of eggs. The work of the ovaries is disturbed with congenital underdevelopment of the pituitary gland, brain tumors.

Adenoma(benign tumor) of the pituitary or adrenal glands. Leads to obesity, excessive growth of body hair, menstrual irregularities.

Ovarian dysfunction- violation of the production of sex hormones in the ovaries. This condition may be the result of inflammatory diseases, hormonal disorders, the installation of an intrauterine device, the use of hormonal drugs.

Video: Why menstruation is delayed or absent

Diseases of the reproductive system

Inflammatory diseases of the uterus and ovaries lead to a violation of the production of hormones that are responsible for the processes of maturation of eggs, follicles, endometrium. As a result, they are often the cause of the delay. At the same time, the volume and nature of the discharge changes, pains appear in the lower abdomen, lower back, as well as other symptoms. Often, inflammatory processes are the cause of infertility, the occurrence of organ tumors. reproductive system, mammary glands. Inflammatory diseases occur due to the penetration of infection with improper hygiene care behind the genitals, unprotected intercourse, traumatic damage to the uterus during childbirth, abortion, curettage.

Salpingoophoritis- inflammation of the uterus and appendages (tubes and ovaries). The process can cause ovarian dysfunction.

endometritis- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterus, which leads to the appearance of hypomenstrual syndrome (menstruation can come after 5-8 weeks and even no more than 4 times a year).

cervicitis- inflammation of the cervix. The process easily passes to the uterus and appendages.

hyperplasia of the endometrium. There is a pathological thickening of the mucous layer lining the uterus. It is the cause of a long delay in menstruation, after which heavy bleeding. Pathology occurs due to hormonal disorders caused by diseases endocrine glands.

uterine fibroids- a benign tumor in the uterus, single or in the form of several nodes located both outside and inside the uterus. This disease is characterized by irregular menstruation. Long delays may alternate with a short cycle.

Polycystic ovaries- the formation of multiple cysts outside or inside the ovaries. The disease can occur without symptoms. It is often found when examining a woman for a long (more than 1 month) absence of menstruation.

Polyps of the uterus- the formation of pathological nodes in the endometrium, can spread to the neck. Delays in menstruation, prolonged heavy bleeding are characteristic. Often happens malignant degeneration fabrics.

endometriosis- growth of the endometrium in the tubes, ovaries, in neighboring organs. This disrupts the patency of the fallopian tubes, which can cause a delay in menstruation. In addition to normal pregnancy, menstruation with endometriosis does not come on time due to an ectopic pregnancy, if the embryo is attached in the tube, and not in the uterine cavity. As a result, a pipe rupture can occur, which is life-threatening for a woman. Instead of the expected menstruation, spotting with an admixture of blood appears. A woman should pay attention to the appearance of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, nagging pain in the lower abdomen (on the side where the egg was attached).

An ectopic pregnancy also occurs after diseases that lead to adhesions of the tubes and ovaries (salpingoophoritis).

Hypoplasia of the endometrium- underdevelopment of the uterine mucosa, in which the endometrial layer remains too thin, cannot hold a fertilized egg. This leads to termination of pregnancy at the very beginning, when the woman does not yet know about her onset. The next menstruation comes with a delay, brown spotting may appear before it. Hypoplasia is the result of inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, operations on the uterus and ovaries, hormonal disorders in the body.

Addition: One of the common causes of delay is anorexia, a disease mental nature associated with an eating disorder. It is usually seen in young women. The desire to lose weight becomes obsession. At the same time, food ceases to be absorbed, complete exhaustion occurs. Menses come all with more delay and then disappear. If you manage to restore weight, then menstruation reappears.

Why constant delays in menstruation are dangerous

Permanent delays in menstruation indicate hormonal disorders, lack of ovulation, abnormal changes in the structure of the endometrium. Pathology can arise due to serious, even dangerous diseases: tumors of the uterus, endocrine glands, polycystic ovaries. The reason for the delay in menstruation is an ectopic pregnancy.

It is necessary to establish a diagnosis as early as possible, to find out the degree of danger of the processes, since they lead, at least, to infertility, early menopause. Diseases associated with delayed menstruation cause breast tumors, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, weakened immunity, premature aging, changes in appearance. For example, if the delay occurs due to polycystic ovaries, then the woman dramatically increases weight, up to obesity, hair appears on the face and chest (as in men), acne, seborrhea.

Timely treatment of diseases that caused the lengthening of the cycle often allows you to avoid infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and prevent the appearance of cancer.

Examination methods, establishing the reasons for the delay

To determine the cause of the delay in menstruation, an examination is carried out.

It is checked whether a woman is ovulating. For this, measurements are taken throughout the cycle. basal body temperature body (in the rectum), a schedule is drawn up. The presence of ovulation is evidenced by a sharp increase in temperature above 37 ° in the middle of the cycle.

A blood test for hormones is carried out to detect deviations from the norm, possible consequences.

With the help of ultrasound, the state of the pelvic organs is studied, the presence of tumors and other pathologies in the uterus and appendages is detected.

Computerized and magnetic resonance imaging (CT and MRI) methods are used to examine the brain, the state of the pituitary gland.

Content

In reproductive age, the onset of monthly menstruation will allow a woman to leave thoughts of illness and unplanned conception. There is a generally accepted opinion: menstruation has begun - so you can relax. A delay in the menstrual cycle is a dangerous phenomenon for any age, since it may indicate the course of the pathological process.

Why is there a delay in menstruation during pregnancy

The first sign of the “interesting position” of a woman is the absence of menstruation. Normal delay in menstruation testifies that the representative of the weaker sex in 9 months will experience the joy of motherhood. In such a clinical picture, the arrival of planned bleeding is not expected in the near future, and the first menstruation will remind of itself a few months after childbirth.

If you are interested in what happens in the female body during pregnancy, and where the planned menstruation disappears, it is worth clarifying. Physiologically, such bleeding is provoked by progesterone, the level of which in a pregnant woman is unstable. So:

1. With the fertilization of the egg and its attachment in the thickness of the uterus, the hormone index increases - for this reason, menstruation is absent.
2. A negative pregnancy test results in a drop in progesterone, resulting in menstruation.

Why can there be a delay in menstruation

A pregnant woman does not have a period - this is the norm. If the representative of the weaker sex does not stay in " interesting position”, the risk of exposure to physiological and pathological factors increases. It is important to know in detail what can cause a delay in menstruation to respond in a timely manner to a progressive health problem. There can be many reasons, but it is important to highlight the most common among those.

For stress and fatigue

Even healthy women may disrupt the menstrual cycle. For example, due to emotional overwork and nervous exhaustion, after suffering shock or stress, in case of chronic fatigue in the female body, abnormal processes associated with dysfunction of the reproductive system predominate. The patient may not be aware what can cause a delay in menstruation, but everything is clear to the doctor - the causes of "malfunctions" in the work of the nervous system. What is the relationship?

Increased nervousness negatively affects the functions of the central nervous system, as a result of which the activity of the uterine muscles is disrupted. Separate muscle structures receive an insufficient amount of blood, the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels is disturbed. Under negative impact such abnormal phenomena, the patient has an unforeseen delay in menstruation for several days. It happens that bleeding for these reasons, on the contrary, occurs ahead of schedule.

With excess and deficiency of body weight

A possible reason for the lack of planned bleeding in a woman of reproductive age is impaired weight. There are standards established by WHO standards that ensure the smooth operation of the endocrine system. So, the weight of a woman should not be less than 45 kg at the age of 18 years and older. For the BMI indicator, there are also certain limitations:

1. If the BMI is less than 18 units, there are serious violations of the endocrine system. When the body is depleted, the “death” of estrogen is observed, and, as a result, a violation of the hormonal background.
2. When the BMI is more than 25 units, signs of hormonal imbalance and a delay in the menstrual cycle are obvious. In obesity, estrogens are produced in subcutaneous fat, and their "production" by the ovaries blocks the pituitary gland.

Insofar as endocrine system with abnormal weight, it cannot cope with its functions, the hormonal imbalance progresses. Increasing estrogen deficiency what causes delays in menstruation. Till conservative methods unable to stabilize female hormone in the blood, the menstrual cycle for obvious reasons will not be regular.

When changing residence and time zones

The biological clock is an important indicator of women's health. If there are failures of the menstrual cycle, the reasons may be hiding in a violation of the usual rhythm of life. This often happens when changing jobs or places of residence, regular lack of sleep, as well as long-distance travel, in a new climate and time zones. Delayed menstruation is not a pathology, and the cycle will soon normalize without medical intervention.

Causes of delayed menstruation in adolescents

In the pubertal period (girls 14-16 years old), the first menstruation occurs, which indicates that the body has reached reproductive age. The representatives of the weaker sex already feel like girls, but they often ask the question why there is no menstruation if they have already come before. Reasons why do teenagers miss their period observed, several, the most relevant in puberty are described below:

1. Physiological: the formation of hormonal levels, nervous turmoil, rapid growth of the bone, overwork at school, change of residence or time zone.
2. Pathological: one of the stages of obesity, pathologically low weight, hormonal imbalance against the background of excess prolactin, past illnesses infectious nature, thrush.

Failures of menstruation with inflammation

When there is no period, the first thing a woman buys is a pregnancy test. It is possible that she is expecting a child. It so happens that delay without pregnancy comes, indicates serious pathologies in a feminine way. Especially often there is such clinical picture with gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature that require urgent medical treatment.

Diseases may not affect the reproductive system, for example, a classic cold or cystitis causes a delay in the menstrual cycle. If a woman begins to get very sick, all the forces of the body are aimed at fighting the pathogenic virus, and the arrival of menstruation recedes into the background. After recovery, the immune system needs time to recover, after which menstruation occurs.

Delayed period due to medication

After a long drug treatment the reason for the absence of menstruation is obvious, especially if the patient was taking hormonal drugs, such as oral contraceptives. Doctors report that this is an indicator of the norm, but recommend that women additionally do a pregnancy test. If the result is negative, the reason for the delay is in birth control pills. There are others medical preparations that can delay menstruation. This is:

• emergency contraception;
• antidepressants;
• chemotherapy drugs;
• corticosteroid hormones;
• antibiotics.

Delayed menstruation with thyroid pathologies

If there is a malfunction in the thyroid gland, it will not be possible to normalize the menstrual cycle until the underlying disease is treated. Only after the normalization of the hormonal background, you can expect that the next planned menstruation will come in a timely manner. It is important to note that thyroid hormones are responsible for metabolism, so the disturbed concentration causes a menstrual cycle to fail.

What causes a delay in polycystic ovaries

If a breast-feeding delays the arrival of menstruation, this is a completely acceptable process in the female body. If the lactation period has nothing to do with it, and menstruation does not go astray for the first month, female problems are not excluded. They equally occur in spring, winter and summer, suggest serious diseases of the reproductive system. It can be endometriosis, fibroids or other neoplasm of the uterus, polycystic ovaries. AT last case we are talking about a hormonal disorder, which not only knocks down the menstrual cycle, but also entails diagnosed infertility.

If polycystic ovaries begin, effective treatment may take several weeks. If you miss the first symptoms of a characteristic ailment, the disease becomes chronic, incurable, radically disrupts the hormonal background of a woman. It is recommended to pay attention to symptoms such as facial hair, skin type changes, a growing belly, and a jump in body weight.

Why there is a delay in premenopause

A constant violation of the menstrual cycle, a change in the abundance of monthly bleeding (scanty or, conversely, intense), the appearance of premenstrual syndrome after 45 years are signs of an approaching menopause, when radical hormonal changes resume in the female body. This problem does not last for one week, and in some patients, anxiety symptoms can last for even one year.

A pregnancy test will definitely be negative, and a delay in menstruation for a week or more is due to a reduced concentration of estrogen in the blood. A woman after 45 years of age will have to put up with such innovations in her general condition, but it is better to contact a local gynecologist in a timely manner, to determine an individual hormone therapy regimen.

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If the “red days of the calendar” suddenly do not come on time, the first thought that visits us is, of course, about pregnancy. But the reasons for the delay in menstruation are very diverse. The delay of menstruation for a period of 2, 3 and even 4 and 5 days should not be a cause for particular concern, this is quite normal phenomenon for every woman. True, if menstruation is delayed even longer, this is evidence of any processes.

The menstrual cycle is regulated not only by the genitals (ovaries and uterus), but also by the endocrine and nervous systems, and more specifically, by the endocrine glands (hypothalamus and pituitary gland) and the cerebral cortex. Any disorder in the work of these parts of the female body can lead to a delay in menstruation. The "European standard" of the menstrual cycle is a period of 28 days, plus or minus 5 days, it is calculated from the first day of one menstruation to the day the next one begins. Menstruation should be moderate, go on average 3-7 days, and also be acceptably painful (pain usually coincides with the first, most abundant menstrual days). The same goes for chest pains. Therefore, if every time it pours out of you like a bucket, bends in half, and then storms from wild weakness, this is a compelling reason to see a doctor.

So, here it is, a delay in menstruation - why can it be? Luckily, pregnancy is the most common cause, so if you have two lines on your test, congratulations! If not, then here are the main reasons for the non-arrival of monthly "holidays".

• Various gynecological diseases can cause a delay
  For example, uterine fibroids (benign tumor of the uterus), inflammation of the uterine appendages (salpingoophoritis), they can be identified by bleeding that occurs outside of menstruation. Delays in menstruation are also characteristic of such a disease as polycystic ovaries. This is a row pathological processes, in which the production of hormones is disrupted, and ovulation does not occur in the body. Common causes of PCOS include excessive body hair growth, ovarian enlargement, and obesity. The disease can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the causes of its occurrence, and complex studies are required to establish an accurate diagnosis. The disease is treated either with hormonal drugs that reduce the level of male sex hormones in the body, or with surgical methods.
• Taking oral contraceptives is another possible reason for missed periods.
  Hormonal contraceptives reduce the "productivity" of the ovaries, as a result of which the so-called syndrome of their hyperinhibition sometimes develops. When diagnosed, the doctor cancels contraceptives, and, for a maximum of 6 months, menstruation spontaneously returns. If this does not happen, prescribe drugs that stimulate the pituitary gland or stimulate the maturation of the egg.
• Abortion can affect the cycle. When a pregnancy is terminated, a strong hormonal imbalance occurs. With medical curettage of the uterus, too much “necessary” tissue can be removed, as well as the inner layer of cells that usually comes out with menstrual blood. It takes more time to recover, and menstruation may not come after 28 days, but, for example, after 45. This is not normal, and is also a reason to see a doctor.
• Stress is a common cause of missed periods.
  Also, a common cause of delayed menstruation is stress - one of the most powerful enemies of the human body. Short stressful situation enough to disrupt the part of the cerebral cortex that is responsible for the normal menstrual cycle. Depending on the severity of stress, periods may not come for years. For example, during the war, due to strong feelings, women could completely stop menstruating.
• Rapid and substantial weight loss can delay your period
  Doctors have a concept of "critical menstrual mass" - the minimum weight at which teenage girls can start menstruating. This is 45-47 kilograms. With a sharp weight loss, you can not only achieve your goal - lose excess, but also lose regular cycle. Most often, this happens when anorexia nervosa when a woman is disturbed eating behavior, and she almost completely refuses to eat.

Modern way of treatment

Many women try to restore their menstrual cycle with synthetic hormones that have a lot of side effects. Therefore, doctors recommend using natural preparations capable of completely normalizing the cycle without harm to the body in a fairly short period of time. For example, the Time Factor combined preparation, which combines herbal extracts of phytohormonal action, vitamins and microelements, not only delicately normalizes the various phases of the menstrual cycle, but also improves mood, alleviates PMS symptoms and supports good mood and performance.

A normal menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days. For each woman, its duration is individual, but for most of them, the intervals between menstruation are equal or differ from each other by no more than 5 days. The calendar should always mark the day of the start menstrual bleeding in order to notice the irregularity of the cycle in time.

Often, after stress, illness, intense physical activity, climate change, a woman has a slight delay in menstruation. In other cases, this sign indicates the onset of pregnancy or hormonal disorders. We will describe the main reasons for the delay in menstruation and the mechanism for their development, as well as talk about what to do in such a situation.

Amenorrhea

In the medical world, a delay or absence of menstruation is called. It is divided into two categories:

1. Primary amenorrhea. This is a condition in which a girl has not started her period by the age of 16. Often, primary amenorrhea is associated with the presence of congenital disorders that did not manifest themselves until the onset of puberty. These are, for example, genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, problems with the organs of the reproductive system, etc. They may include being born without a uterus, or a uterus that does not develop normally.
2. Secondary amenorrhea. This is a condition in which periods suddenly stop and are absent for more than three months. Those. I used to have periods, but now they are gone. Secondary amenorrhea is the most common form of delayed menstruation. Most common causes This condition includes pregnancy, problems with the ovaries (for example, polycystic ovary syndrome or early menopause), pituitary tumors, stress, a serious violation of normal body weight (both in a smaller and larger direction), and others.

In addition to amenorrhea, there is another medical term that I want to introduce you to - oligomenorrhea. This is a violation in which the duration of the menstrual cycle significantly increases and the duration of the menstruation itself decreases. It is generally accepted that a woman has oligomenorrhea if during the year she had less than 8 monthly periods and / or lasted up to 2 days or less.

Normal course of menstruation

The normal menstrual cycle occurs at the age of 10-15 in a young woman, after which it is believed that the body has entered a phase when it can carry out a full conception. This system works every month until the age of 46-52, but this is an average figure. (There are cases of later cessation of menstruation.)

Then there comes a decrease in the duration of menstruation, and the amount of blood released during this. Eventually, menstruation stops completely.

Causes of delayed menstruation other than pregnancy

Delayed periods may be the result physiological changes in the body, as well as be a manifestation of functional failures or diseases of both genital and other organs (“extragenital pathology”).

Normally, menstruation does not occur during pregnancy. After childbirth, the mother’s cycle is also not restored immediately, it largely depends on whether the woman has lactation. In women without pregnancy, an increase in the duration of the cycle may be a manifestation of perimenopause (menopause). Also, the irregularity of the cycle in girls after the onset of menstruation is considered the norm, if it is not accompanied by other violations.

Functional disorders that can provoke a failure of the menstrual cycle are stress, intense physical activity, fast weight loss, past infection or other acute illness, climate change.

Often irregular cycle with a delay in menstruation in patients suffering from gynecological diseases especially with polycystic ovaries. In addition, such a symptom may accompany inflammatory diseases. reproductive organs, occur after an abortion or diagnostic curettage, after hysteroscopy. Ovarian dysfunction may be due to the pathology of the pituitary gland and other organs that regulate the hormonal background of a woman.

From somatic diseases accompanied by possible violation menstrual cycle, it is worth noting obesity.

List of reasons for which there may be a delay in menstruation

The delay of the "red days of the calendar" for 2 - 5 days should not be a cause for concern, as this is considered a very real phenomenon for every woman. If pregnancy is excluded, then such disorders of the female body can be caused by many factors. A thorough analysis of them allows you to determine the cause of a gynecological or non-gynecological nature.

So, here are the top 15 reasons for missed periods:

1. Inflammatory diseases;
2. Hormonal contraceptives;
3. Diagnosis of the uterine cavity, abortion or miscarriage;
4. The period after childbirth;
5. Puberty;
6. climacteric disorders;
7. Great physical activity;
8. stressful conditions;
9. Climatic conditions of the environment;
10. body weight abnormalities;
11. Intoxication of the body;
12. Taking certain drugs;
13. hereditary predisposition.

As follows from the foregoing, the causes of regularly repeated delays of critical days are of a multifaceted nature. Biologically, the clock can go off even in nulliparous women, who often confuse the symptoms of a cycle disorder with pregnancy. An unstable menstrual cycle should not be considered a particularly dangerous, serious illness, but it is still worth paying close attention to the frequency of your critical days.

Stress and physical activity

The most common causes of missed periods, other than pregnancy, are a variety of nervous tension, stress and the like. Difficult work environment, exams, family problems - all this can cause a delay. The woman's body perceives stress as a complex life situation in which a woman should not yet give birth. It is worth taking care of changing the situation: contact a family psychologist, change jobs or learn to relate to the situation easier, and the like. Keep in mind that overwork and lack of sleep is also a great stress for the body.

Excessive physical activity also does not contribute to the regularity of the menstrual cycle. It is known that professional athletes often experience problems with a delay in menstruation and even with childbearing. The same problems haunt women who have swung at physically demanding work. It is better to leave it to men.

But do not think that moderate fitness or morning jogging can affect the situation. An active lifestyle has not interfered with anyone yet. We are talking about excessive loads under which the body works for wear and tear.

Weight problems

Scientists have long found out that adipose tissue is directly involved in all hormonal processes. In this regard, it is easy to understand that the reasons for the delay in menstruation, in addition to pregnancy, can also be covered in problems with weight. Moreover, both excess and lack of weight can provoke a delay.

Fat layer, in case overweight, will accumulate estrogen, which negatively affects the regularity of the cycle. With insufficient weight, everything is much more difficult. Prolonged fasting, as well as weight loss below 45 kg, is perceived by the body as extreme situation. The survival mode is turned on, and in this state, pregnancy is highly undesirable. In this case, not only a delay in menstruation is possible, but also its complete absence- amenorrhea. Naturally, problems with menstruation disappear with the normalization of weight.

That is, plump women need to lose weight, skinny women need to gain weight. The main thing is to do this very carefully. A woman's nutrition should be balanced: food should contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and trace elements. Any diet should be moderate, not debilitating. It is better to combine them with moderate physical activity.

Inflammatory diseases of the uterus

Inflammatory diseases of the uterus and ovaries lead to a violation of the production of hormones that are responsible for the processes of maturation of eggs, follicles, endometrium. As a result, they are often the cause of the delay. At the same time, the volume and nature of the discharge changes, pains appear in the lower abdomen, lower back, as well as other symptoms.

Often, inflammatory processes are the cause of infertility, the occurrence of tumors of the organs of the reproductive system, mammary glands. Inflammatory diseases occur due to the penetration of infection with improper hygienic care of the genitals, unprotected intercourse, traumatic damage to the uterus during childbirth, abortion, curettage.

uterine fibroids

Menstruation with uterine leiomyoma can be irregular, with a delay ranging from several days to several months. Despite the fact that this pathology in most cases is considered benign tumor, there is a series negative consequences to which it may lead. And first of all, its degeneration into oncological disease is dangerous. Therefore, contacting a doctor at the slightest suspicion of myoma is extremely necessary.

Polycystic ovaries

One of the main reasons for the delay of menstruation from the usual schedule in this case is the lack of the required amount of hormones.

As a rule, the process is caused by the absence of ovulation, endometrial depression, as well as hormonal disorders present. The egg does not mature in this process, which gives the body a signal that there is no need to prepare for possible fertilization.

endometriosis

This disease is a pathological proliferation of benign tissue, which is similar to the mucous membrane of the reproductive organ. The development of endometriosis can occur in various parts of the reproductive system, and it is also possible to go beyond it. Changes in the hormonal background can be both the cause of the disease and its consequence. Irregular critical days are also one of the main symptoms of such deviations.

Birth control pills

If you are taking hormonal birth control pills, then it is quite possible that your menstrual cycle will be significantly different from normal. Very often, the duration of cycles when taking birth control pills increases significantly. Some pills do not give this effect. Periods go as usual, but most often they are lighter and shorter. It is also worth noting that in very rare cases, pills may not prevent pregnancy, especially when missed intake. However, even if you've been taking your pills accurately and correctly, you're having a missed period and you're worried about it, you can take a pregnancy test to calm down.

Now on sale you can find enough a large number of various birth control pills. Some of them can differ significantly in their effect on the body. In addition, it is worth noting that each individual woman may react differently to the same pills.

Also, keep in mind that when you stop using birth control pills, you will not immediately have a normal menstrual cycle. For most women, the recovery period takes from one to two months, and sometimes this period can last up to six months. Only then will you again become capable of conceiving a child. Accordingly, during the recovery period, you may also have an irregular cycle, and this must be taken into account if you have a delay.

Delayed periods during pregnancy and after childbirth

During the entire period of pregnancy, a woman does not have periods. After childbirth, their renewal occurs in different ways - it all depends on individual features organism. Enhanced Level prolactin when feeding a child can prevent the start of the work of eggs. If a woman is breastfeeding, a delay in menstruation can last as long as milk is produced (this directly depends on the level of the hormone prolactin responsible for lactation). Sometimes this can happen within 2-3 years.

If milk is not produced, a new period occurs after about 6-8 weeks. But sometimes there are exceptions, when the ovaries begin to work even before the baby stops feeding, the egg matures, and the woman can become pregnant again. If this does not happen, the new cycle ends with the appearance of menstruation.

Why constant delays in menstruation are dangerous

Permanent delays in menstruation indicate hormonal disorders, lack of ovulation, abnormal changes in the structure of the endometrium. Pathology can occur due to serious, even dangerous diseases: tumors of the uterus, endocrine glands, polycystic ovaries. The reason for the delay in menstruation is an ectopic pregnancy.

It is necessary to establish a diagnosis as early as possible, to find out the degree of danger of the processes, since they lead, at least, to infertility, early menopause. Diseases associated with delayed menstruation cause tumors of the mammary glands, cardiovascular problems, diabetes mellitus, weakened immunity, premature aging, changes in appearance. For example, if the delay occurs due to polycystic ovaries, then the woman dramatically increases weight, up to obesity, hair appears on the face and chest (as in men), acne, seborrhea.

Timely treatment of diseases that caused the lengthening of the cycle often allows you to avoid infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and prevent the onset of cancer.

Examinations for delayed menstruation

To find out the reasons for the delay in menstruation, the following studies are prescribed:

1. Examination for sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, etc.).
2. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, thyroid gland and adrenal glands. This study is carried out to exclude pregnancy, tumors, gynecological and endocrine diseases.
3. Examination of the pituitary gland (radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, CT scan, electroencephalography). Diseases of the pituitary gland are often the cause of delayed menstruation.
4. Hormonal studies. Determine the level of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH, PRL, as well as check the hormones of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.
5. Curettage of the inner layer of the uterus and its further histological examination. Curettage is carried out from the cavity and canal of the cervix.

What to do if there is a delay in menstruation?

If there are regularly repeated delays in menstruation or the delay exceeds the maximum allowable physiological limits of five days, then you should consult a doctor. After finding out the reasons, the woman will be prescribed appropriate treatment. Most often, therapy is carried out using hormonal pills. However, in no case should they be taken on their own, without medical advice. This is extremely dangerous for a woman's health and can disrupt the entire hormonal system, and therefore lead to serious problems with health.

Among the most common hormonal drugs, doctors prescribe the following:

1. Duphaston. They are used if the delay in the menstrual cycle is caused by insufficient levels of progesterone in the body. Only a doctor should adjust the dose, based on the studies. If there is no pregnancy, and the delay does not exceed 7 days, then postinor is prescribed for a period of 5 days. After this time, menstruation should begin two or three days later.
2. Postinor. It is a drug used for emergency contraception. This remedy is used if it is necessary to induce the menstrual cycle as soon as possible. However, it is recommended only for regular menstruation, since its use can provoke cycle disorders, and if used very often, lead to infertility.
3. Pulsatilla. Another hormonal drug that can be prescribed for delayed menstruation. This is the most safe remedy, which does not lead to weight gain, does not affect the nervous system. However, it should not be taken by girls who have an irregular cycle.
4. Progesterone is an injectable hormone. It is used to call menstruation, the selection of the dosage is carried out strictly individually. Increased intake of progesterone in the body can cause a lot of side effects, including excessive hair growth, weight gain, menstrual irregularities. Never more than 10 injections. The effect is based on stimulating the work of the glands located in the mucous membrane of the uterus. The tool has a number of contraindications, including: uterine bleeding, liver failure, breast tumors, etc.
5. Non-ovlon, a drug that stimulates the onset of the menstrual cycle, is able to prevent acyclic bleeding. It contains estrogen and progestin. Most often, with a delay, two tablets are prescribed after 12 hours. However, before using it, a mandatory consultation with a specialist, since the drug has side effects and can disrupt the functioning of the reproductive organs.
6. Utrozhestan. It is a means of suppressing estrogen and stimulating the production of progesterone, which determines its therapeutic effect. In addition, there is a stimulating effect on the development of the endometrium. The drug can be administered vaginally, which is its undoubted advantage, however, this remedy also has some contraindications.
7. Norkolut, causes menstruation, as it contains norethisterone, which in its action is similar to the action of gestagens. And their lack often provokes failures in cycles and their delay. The course of treatment should not exceed five days; it is not used during pregnancy, as it threatens with miscarriage and bleeding. It has a large number of contraindications and side effects, so a preliminary consultation with a doctor is necessary.

Naturally, the use of hormonal drugs to induce menstruation is not safe method. They must be taken correctly, as they can cause irreparable harm to health.