Late menstruation is usually an early sign of pregnancy. In fact, this condition is not only experienced by people who are pregnant. A missed period can also be a symptom of a health problem that requires medical attention.
The menstrual cycle of each woman is generally different. However, a normal cycle is 21–35 days, starting from the day of your last menstrual period. Well, you can be said to have a late period if you haven't had your period for 35 days or more.
Although it is common, you are advised to remain vigilant, because there are several medical conditions that can cause late menstruation.
Factors Causing Late Menstruation
A late period is not always a sign of pregnancy. There are other factors that can also cause this condition, namely:
1. Stress
When stressed, the production of gonadotropin hormones and the performance of the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, will be disrupted. This is what makes the menstrual cycle late.
If your period is interrupted by stress, you can work around it by trying relaxation techniques, doing something you enjoy, or listening to music.
2. Obesity
Weight gain can trigger hormonal changes in women. Research shows that women who are overweight or obese have a high risk of having a late period.
Diet and exercise will be recommended by your doctor if obesity is a factor causing your late period.
3. Weight loss
Delayed menstruation may be experienced by women with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. If the body weight is too low than the ideal body weight, body functions will be disrupted and ovulation will stop.
Treating eating disorders and gaining healthy weight can restore normal menstrual cycles.
4. Smoking habit
Smoking habits can cause disturbances in menstruation and one of them is late menstruation. This happens because the substances in cigarettes, including nicotine, can affect the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which play a role in the menstrual cycle.
5. Excess hormone prolactin
Delayed menstruation can be caused by abnormal production of the hormone prolactin. This hormone produced in the pituitary gland increases during breastfeeding, but it can also occur due to certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and tumors of the pituitary gland in the brain.
This increase in prolactin hormone can affect the performance of other hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone which play a role in the menstrual process so that it can trigger late menstruation.
6. Effect family planning pills
Birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin that can prevent the release of an egg. For your menstrual cycle to return to normal, it can take up to six months after you stop taking birth control pills.
Other types of contraception that can also cause delayed menstruation are KB implants and KB injections.
7. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
PCOS is a condition that causes your body to produce more androgens. This condition can make menstruation irregular or even stop it.
The exact cause of PCOS is not known, but it is thought to be related to other conditions, such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
In addition to late menstruation, other symptoms of PCOS are oily skin or acne, sudden weight gain, and dark patches appearing on the skin.
8. Chronic disease
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and celiac disease, can affect the menstrual cycle. Unstable blood sugar is closely related to hormonal changes. Therefore, uncontrolled diabetes makes menstruation irregular.
Meanwhile, celiac disease causes inflammation that can cause damage to the small intestine. This condition can prevent the body from absorbing important nutrients, causing late menstruation.
9. Thyroid disorders
The thyroid gland functions to regulate the body's metabolism. If these hormones do not work properly, menstruation can be disrupted. A problematic thyroid gland can be recognized by symptoms such as fatigue, drastic weight loss, hair loss, and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
However, you do not need to worry and because thyroid disorders can be treated with drugs and surgery. Menstruation will return to normal after thyroid disorders are treated by a doctor.
10. Early menopause
Early menopause occurs when the ovaries stop working before a woman is 40 years old. Early menopause causes the release of eggs to stop, which is also characterized by symptoms of late menstruation, night sweats, and difficulty sleeping.
However, if you are over 40 years old and show symptoms of late menstruation, longer periods, or bleeding after sex, you should immediately consult a doctor. This can be a symptom of cervical polyps, endometrial polyps, or endometrial cancer.
If you have missed your period for more than three periods in a row and the pregnancy test is negative, you should see a doctor. The doctor will determine the cause of your late menstruation and determine the treatment according to your health condition.