How to understand a delay in menstruation. Why are constant delays in menstruation dangerous? Factors causing delay

Maria Sokolova

Reading time: 12 minutes

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When menstruation is delayed, every woman begins to worry, think about the reason. If a woman is regularly sexually active and does not use contraceptives, she, of course, suspects that she is pregnant. Application even in the earliest stages makes it easier for a woman, allowing her to determine early pregnancy at home - or make sure of its absence.

Causes of delayed menstruation in women of childbearing age

But it often happens that the test to determine pregnancy shows a negative result, but menstruation, nevertheless, does not occur for several days...

Here we will talk about what could be reason for delay if pregnancy is excluded.

The most common reason for women of childbearing age to visit their gynecologist is the absence of menstruation for several days. And the most common cause of this condition, of course, is current pregnancy , which can be identified during the next test or when examining a woman with an ultrasound.

Speaking about delayed menstruation, one cannot help but talk about woman's menstrual cycle, which normally has a regular schedule, with a frequency of 21 to 31 days. Every woman knows the duration of her menstrual cycle, as well as When will her next period start? . On the days you expect your period slight delay in one or two days it is often not perceived woman as a warning sign - we know that many factors can influence this, slightly increasing or shortening the menstrual cycle. Every woman also knows how her body behaves throughout the entire menstrual cycle - during ovulation, in the middle of the cycle, she may experience pain in the lower abdomen, mucous discharge from the vagina, and a week before the onset of menstruation - tingling or sore breasts, There may be bloody discharge from the vagina.

If the test result is negative and menstruation does not occur, pregnancy may have occurred. , but you tested too early. If a woman has recently observed deviations from the usual “picture” of the menstrual cycle, which is completed by a delay in menstruation, it is necessary to use tests to determine pregnancy, and if the result is negative, repeat the procedure a few days later using tests from other companies.

Delayed menstruation in the absence of pregnancy - reasons

A woman’s body is a very delicate “mechanism” that is skillfully controlled by the main hormones - estrogens and progesterone. The cause of delayed menstruation in the absence of pregnancy may be hormonal imbalance . Many factors can lead to this reason, which the doctor must identify when prescribing appropriate treatment.

Often menstrual irregularities , prolonged absence of menstruation and an irregular menstrual cycle are an indicator that a woman’s body has developed serious problems who need professional qualified assistance from a doctor.

Delayed menstruation in a woman after childbirth – a frequent and physiologically explainable phenomenon. After the birth of a child, the mother’s body produces a special hormone to begin and continue lactation - prolactin, which delays the onset of menstruation for a certain period. Most often, a nursing mother does not get her period throughout the entire period of breastfeeding; much less often, her period comes even during breastfeeding, a couple of months after the birth of the baby. If a woman does not breastfeed, then the normal menstrual cycle after childbirth returns to normal within one and a half to two months.
One of the most common causes of delayed menstruation in women is pathology of the endocrine system , or, as gynecologists say, “ ovarian dysfunction " This is a very broad concept that includes both dysfunction of the thyroid gland and various diseases of the endocrine system - diagnosed or hidden. In order to exclude pathologies of the endocrine system and diseases of the thyroid gland, the woman is referred for consultation and examination to an endocrinologist, an ultrasound examination of the uterus, thyroid gland, ovaries, adrenal glands, and brain tomography are performed.
Diseases of the female genital organs can also cause a delay in menstruation - most often this is endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, various inflammatory processes in the uterus and appendages, cancer of the cervix, uterine body . If pregnancy is ruled out, the gynecologist will, first of all, prescribe an examination aimed at identifying these diseases in the woman and their timely treatment. After these pathologies are eliminated, a woman’s menstrual cycle is usually restored. Of all the above diseases, the most common cause of delayed menstruation in a woman is inflammatory processes affecting the ovaries themselves.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common causes of delayed menstruation in women of childbearing age. As a rule, this disease is accompanied by external signs of pathology - a woman may experience excessive male-type hair (“mustache”, hair on the stomach, back, arms, legs), oily hair and skin. But additional signs are indirect; they do not always indicate the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome, so an accurate diagnosis is made only after undergoing a special medical examination - an analysis of the level of testosterone (“male hormone”) in the blood. If a woman has “confirmed”, then she is prescribed special treatment, since this disease leads not only to menstrual irregularities, but also to infertility due to lack of ovulation.
Overweight, obesity – the reason why a woman may experience irregularities in the menstrual cycle and delayed periods. In order to restore normal function of the endocrine and reproductive systems, a woman must begin to lose weight. As a rule, when weight is reduced, the menstrual cycle is restored.
Menstrual irregularities and delayed periods can result long and exhausting diet, fasting , and underweight in a woman. As is known, models suffering from anorexia, having brought themselves to exhaustion, lose the ability to bear children - their menstrual function stops.
Another reason for delayed periods not related to illness is hard physical work and physical exhaustion of the woman. For this reason, not only the menstrual cycle suffers, but also the general state of health, subsequently causing various health problems and diseases in the woman. Such disorders can also be caused by excessive stress in women who exercise professional sports , are under extreme stress, testing their body’s strength.
Heavy acclimatization Women with a sudden change of place can also cause a delay in menstruation.
The reason for a delay in menstruation may be the individual reaction of a woman’s body to taking certain medications , and oral contraceptives . This happens quite rarely, but in any case, only a doctor can make a final diagnosis after assessing the patient’s condition and comparing all the factors of her life and health.
Weakened as a result long-term illnesses, chronic stress, nervous shock, severe injuries A woman’s body can cause disruptions in the mechanisms of the menstrual cycle, causing a delay in menstruation.
Sometimes women, due to disorders of the endocrine system and hormonal levels, develop a pathological condition that doctors call “ early menopause " Such disorders can occur in women of 30 years of age and even at an earlier age. Patients with early onset of menopause need careful examination and timely treatment, since this pathology inhibits reproductive function, leading to infertility, and worsens the standard of living of a young woman.

What are the risks for a woman of delayed menstruation?

If a woman’s menstruation was delayed once, and there were obvious reasons for this - for example, severe stress or overexertion, serious illness or injury , then it’s too early to talk about any pathology. But in any case, menstrual cycle irregularities signal some more serious disorders in the body, which can manifest as serious diseases and consequences.

You should not engage in self-medication and self-diagnosis if your period is late - for this you need to consult a doctor.

The very same Delayed menstruation does not pose any danger to women's health . But Those disorders or pathologies can be dangerous that caused menstrual irregularities. Some causes are easily remediable and do not require long-term treatment or drug correction. But there are diseases that are very dangerous for a woman’s health, and in some cases, pose a threat to her life, and a frivolous attitude towards such a symptom as a delay in menstruation can result in very serious consequences in the future.

The regularity of menstruation plays a huge role for a woman. , as the key to successful conception and bearing a child. The regularity of menstruation plays a huge role for a woman, as the key to successful conception and bearing a child.

Gynecologists are convinced that a regular, uncomplicated cycle is not only the first and necessary step to successfully planning a pregnancy, but also the path to a healthy conception, a normal pregnancy and, ultimately, the birth of a healthy child. Therefore, correction of the menstrual cycle if it occurs with deviations should be an obligatory goal of any woman planning a pregnancy.

In order for menstruation to occur regularly, it is necessary to restore the balance of hormones, vitamins, and microelements.

Dysmenorm is used in the treatment of painful, irregular and scanty menstruation, as well as premenstrual syndrome. When taking the drug, it is noted that it helps normalize hormonal levels, has a calming effect and helps restore the cycle during irregular, infrequent and weak menstruation. The drug is also used to solve problems with conception associated with insufficiency of the corpus luteum due to transient hyperprolactinemia (or an imbalance in the production of prolactin and dopamine). Dysmenorm in case of reproductive dysfunction helps restore ovulation and a full luteal phase (2nd phase of the cycle), reduces psycho-emotional stress, and also reduces symptoms of PMS, such as engorgement and tenderness of the mammary glands, bloating, swelling, increased irritability, tearfulness and fatigue.

In addition, a woman who has regular sex life, with constant monitoring of the duration of her menstrual cycles, can easily “calculate” the onset of pregnancy in the early stages, without even resorting to tests, or notice problems in the body that require examination and medical supervision.

The body of every person works like a clock, the systems are well-established, the organs are interconnected. But often these systems fail, especially in the female system. We propose to consider the reasons for the delay of menstruation - in virgins, in adolescents, and if the test is negative, we will also discuss the topic of delay in menstruation in girls after an abortion for N number of days, months or even years.

Reasons for missed periods other than pregnancy

Let's discuss the main reasons for a long delay in menstruation. Exists several subtypes such problems:

diseases;
influence of negative factors;
injuries.

Let's look at each of them in more detail. Quite often, the cause of delayed menstruation is various diseases, and not only the genitourinary system. The most common problems are inflammation of the appendages, sexually transmitted diseases and the pituitary gland (with hyperprolactemia).

Fungal diseases behave very insidiously. Up to a certain point, with candidiasis, we do not even suspect that we are sick, but when the symptoms have already appeared, we need to immediately sound the alarm. We feel itching, smell, pain, burning, and our basal temperature rises. It must be said that persistent candida and their consequences are often the causes of delay.
Fibroids and cancer can also disrupt the menstrual cycle due to the sudden development of tumor growth. Let’s say you can live for many years with minor cancer, but after a certain life situation (illness, severe stress), it will begin to develop, causing menstruation to be interrupted.
Cystitis is a very unpleasant disease that affects almost all age groups and living organisms. Its causes can be: hypothermia, infection - known causes of a delay in women's periods for a week, or even a month. Its consequences: erosion, endometriosis, complications in future pregnancy. Here you need to act immediately so as not to infect your partner.
Endocrine diseases also significantly interfere with reproductive function - diabetes, iodine deficiency, etc.
Here, professional intervention is necessary, because... the consequences are more than serious, ranging from chronic inflammation of the uterus and fallopian tubes to cancer and infertility.

Under negative factors we mean the effect of taking medications, in particular painkillers and hormonal contraceptives. Antibiotics (especially those intended for the treatment of infectious diseases) also “hit” the reproductive system quite hard. Such medications are designed to completely destroy microflora, but in our body there are certain bacteria that are necessary for normal life.

Excluding diseases, we need to talk about contraceptives. According to the advertising slogans of all manufacturers of such tablets, there is absolutely no negative effect. After all, they are often prescribed by doctors themselves, not to protect against unwanted pregnancy, but to prevent cysts or other diseases. But not everyone knows how to use contraception correctly so as not to disrupt your cycle:

firefighting agents - used after unprotected sexual intercourse, they simply contain the lion's share of hormones that contribute to the rejection of the egg, after which pregnancy is basically impossible. You can take no more than 4 tablets per year, but in fact it’s better not to drink at all. What does this mean for us?? Complete cessation of the cycle (especially in adolescence or “near” menopause), two-month delay, irregular periods;
hormonal contraceptives (Duphaston, Zhanina). There are several types. Any gynecologist will advise you on this matter, but you also need to know how to drink them. Let’s say you can’t take pills and drink alcohol, smoke, or even more so, indulge in drugs at the same time. What does this threaten?? Due to failures of the endocrine system, the body over time simply ceases to understand why critical days are needed if they are interrupted all the time, and begins to stop this process on its own;
chemical - tampons, ointments, creams. Again, a question about microflora; smart contraceptives have not yet been invented that would recognize sperm, female and male microorganisms. As a result, inflammation of the uterine passages, inflammation of the uterine tissue, erosion - which, according to statistics, is the main cause of delays in menstruation in 20% of cases;
physical: these are spirals, implantation of special containers with hormones into the body, etc. Here it is necessary not only to select contraceptives very carefully, but also to monitor them. IUDs are expensive and require regular care and monitoring; they injure the uterus and grow into it, which not only disrupts the cycle, but contributes to infertility.

Injuries This is the most common root cause of delays. The delicate skin of the vagina can be damaged by careless washing, sexual intercourse, or impact. The same reasons include abortions; for example, delays after curettage are a common occurrence. It is worth noting that after laparoscopy of the abdomen and sterilization, such consequences are also possible.

Injuries are very common after the first sexual intercourse or among lovers of rough lovemaking. You need to understand that constant such “events” are erosion, apoplexy, fibroids and the causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Video: why menstruation is delayed

What are the psychological reasons for delayed menstruation?

Photo – Doubts

There is a theory among gynecologists that when there is a strong fear of pregnancy, the body itself temporarily “turns off” the reproductive function. This point can also include ordinary stress, for example, anxiety, lack of sleep, many children (this is a separate topic). Because of them, a delay of at least two weeks may begin.

Psychological illnesses also fall under this heading. We are not talking about severe cases - schizophrenia, split personality. Let’s say that women with neurosis or depression do not have periods in 40% of cases; the body is too busy with internal experiences. Such reasons are often common among teenage girls or students who are always in a state of hidden stress.

Other reasons for delay

In most cases, women are waiting for pregnancy, and now, their period is already 10 days late, but the test is negative, what are the reasons for this phenomenon during reproductive age?

You need to understand that the possible reasons for a delay in menstruation, even for a long time, for a week, a month or more, are not necessarily some kind of global health problem. Tune in for the good, there are times when the body simply rests.

Normally, the 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. You should always mark the day your menstrual bleeding begins on your calendar so that you can spot cycle irregularities in time.

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

Amenorrhea

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

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 in any way until the onset of puberty. These are, for example, genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, problems with the organs of the reproductive system, etc. These may include being born without a uterus, or a uterus that does not develop normally.
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 absent. Secondary amenorrhea is the most common form of missed period. The most common causes of this condition are pregnancy, problems with the ovaries (for example, polycystic ovary syndrome or early menopause), pituitary tumors, stress, serious violations of normal body weight (both smaller and larger), and others.

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

Normal course of menstruation cycles

The normal menstrual cycle occurs at 10-15 years of age in a young woman, after which the body is considered to have entered a phase where it can perform full-fledged conception. This system works every month up to 46-52 years of age, but this is an average figure. (There are cases of later cessation of menstruation.)

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

Reasons for delayed menstruation other than pregnancy

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

Normally, menstruation does not occur during pregnancy. After childbirth, the mother’s cycle does not recover immediately either; this largely depends on whether the woman is lactating. In women without pregnancy, an increase in cycle length may be a manifestation of perimenopause (menopause). Irregularity of the cycle in girls after the start of menstruation is also considered normal, if it is not accompanied by other disorders.

Functional disorders that can provoke disruption of the menstrual cycle are stress, intense physical activity, rapid weight loss, previous infection or other acute disease, climate change.

Often, an irregular cycle with a delay in menstruation occurs in patients suffering from gynecological diseases, primarily polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, such a symptom can accompany inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs, occur after termination of pregnancy or diagnostic curettage, after hysteroscopy. Ovarian dysfunction may be caused by pathology of the pituitary gland and other organs that regulate a woman’s hormonal levels.

Of the somatic diseases accompanied by possible menstrual irregularities, it is worth noting obesity.

List of reasons that may cause a delay in menstruation

A delay of 2 to 5 days in the “red days of the calendar” should not be a cause for concern, since 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. Their careful analysis allows us to determine the cause of a gynecological or non-gynecological nature.

So, we list the top 15 reasons for missed periods:

Inflammatory diseases;
Hormonal contraceptives;
Diagnosis of the uterine cavity, abortion or miscarriage;
The period after childbirth;
Puberty;
Menopausal disorders;
Great physical activity;
Stressful conditions;
Environmental climatic conditions;
Body weight abnormalities;
Intoxication of the body;
Taking certain medications;
Hereditary predisposition.

As follows from all of the above, the reasons for regularly recurring delays of critical days are multifaceted. Biological clocks can go wrong even in nulliparous women, who often confuse the symptoms of menstrual irregularities with pregnancy. An inconsistent 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, besides pregnancy, are various nervous tensions, stress, and the like. Difficult work environment, exams, family problems - all this can cause a delay. A woman’s body perceives stress as a difficult life situation in which a woman should not give birth yet. It is worth taking care of changing the situation: contact a family psychologist, change jobs, or learn to relate to the situation more simply, and the like. Keep in mind that overwork and lack of sleep are also very stressful for the body.

Excessive exercise also does not contribute to the regularity of the menstrual cycle. It is known that professional athletes often experience problems with delayed periods and even with childbearing. The same problems plague women who take on physically demanding jobs. It's better left to men.

But don’t think that moderate exercise or morning jogging can affect the situation. An active lifestyle has never bothered anyone. We are talking specifically 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 a delay in menstruation, in addition to pregnancy, may also lie in weight problems. Moreover, both excess and lack of weight can provoke a delay.

If you are overweight, the fat layer will accumulate estrogen, which negatively affects the regularity of your cycle. With underweight, everything is much more complicated. Prolonged fasting, as well as weight loss below 45 kg, is perceived by the body as an extreme situation. Survival mode turns 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 normalization of weight.

That is, plump women need to lose weight, thin women need to gain weight. The main thing is that this must be done extremely carefully. A woman’s diet should be balanced: the food should contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and microelements. Any diet should be moderate and 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 disruption of the production of hormones that are responsible for the processes of maturation of eggs, follicles, and endometrium. As a result, they are often the cause of delay. At the same time, the volume and nature of the discharge changes, pain appears in the lower abdomen, lower back, and other symptoms.

Often, inflammatory processes are the cause of infertility, tumors of the reproductive system, and mammary glands. Inflammatory diseases occur due to infection due to improper hygienic care of the genitals, unprotected sexual intercourse, traumatic damage to the uterus during childbirth, abortion, and 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 is in most cases considered a benign tumor, there are a number of negative consequences that it can lead to. And first of all, its degeneration into cancer is dangerous. Therefore, seeing a doctor at the slightest suspicion of fibroids is extremely necessary.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

One of the main reasons for menstruation to lag behind the usual schedule in this case is the lack of the required amount of hormones.

As a rule, the process is caused by the lack of ovulation, suppression of the endometrium, as well as existing hormonal disorders. 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 hormonal levels 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, it is 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 have this effect. Menstruation occurs as usual, but most often it is lighter and shorter. It is also worth noting that in very rare cases the pill may not prevent pregnancy, especially if it is missed. However, even if you took the pills accurately and correctly, if your period is late and you are worried about it, you can take a pregnancy test to calm down.

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

Also, keep in mind that when you stop using birth control pills, you may not have a normal menstrual cycle right away. 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 be able to conceive a child again. 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 menstruation during pregnancy and after childbirth

During the entire period of pregnancy, a woman does not have periods. After childbirth, their resumption occurs in different ways - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Elevated prolactin levels when breastfeeding can prevent eggs from starting to function. If a woman is breastfeeding, a delay in menstruation may last as long as milk is produced (this directly depends on the level of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for lactation). Sometimes this can happen within 2-3 years.

If milk is not produced, another period will occur in 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 are constant delays in menstruation dangerous?

Constant delays in menstruation indicate hormonal disorders, lack of ovulation, and 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 cause of a missed period 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 a minimum, to infertility and early menopause. Diseases associated with delayed menstruation cause breast tumors, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, weakened immunity, premature aging, and changes in appearance. For example, if the delay occurs due to polycystic ovary syndrome, then the woman experiences a sharp increase in weight, up to obesity, hair appears on the face and chest (as in men), acne, and seborrhea.

Timely treatment of diseases that cause prolongation of the cycle often helps to avoid infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and prevent the appearance of cancer.

Examinations for delayed menstruation

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

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

What to do if your period is late?

If you experience regularly recurring delays in menstruation or the period of delay exceeds the maximum permissible physiological limits of five days, you should consult a doctor. After determining the reasons, the woman will be prescribed appropriate treatment. Most often, therapy is carried out using hormonal pills. However, under no circumstances should they be taken independently, without medical advice. This is extremely dangerous for a woman’s health and can disrupt the entire hormonal system, which means it can lead to serious health problems.

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

Duphaston. Used if a 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 research conducted. 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.
Postinor. It is a drug used for emergency contraception. This remedy is used if it is necessary to induce a menstrual cycle as quickly as possible. However, it is recommended only for regular menstruation, since its use can provoke cycle disorders, and if used very frequently, lead to infertility.
Pulsatilla. Another hormonal drug that can be prescribed for delayed menstruation. This is the safest remedy that does not lead to weight gain and does not affect the nervous system. However, it should not be taken by girls with irregular cycles.
Progesterone is an injectable hormone. Used to induce menstruation, dosage selection is carried out strictly individually. An increased intake of progesterone in the body can cause a lot of side effects, including excess hair growth, weight gain, and menstrual irregularities. More than 10 injections are never given. The effect is based on stimulating the work of the glands located in the mucous membrane of the uterus. The drug has a number of contraindications, including: uterine bleeding, liver failure, breast tumors, etc.
Non-ovlon, a drug that stimulates the onset of the menstrual cycle, is able to prevent acyclic bleeding. It contains estrogen and gestagen. Most often, if there is a delay, two tablets are prescribed every 12 hours. However, before using it, it is mandatory to consult a specialist, since the drug has side effects and can disrupt the functioning of the reproductive organs.
Utrozhestan. It is a drug that suppresses estrogen and stimulates the production of progesterone, which determines its therapeutic effect. In addition, it has a stimulating effect on the development of the endometrium. The drug can be administered vaginally, which is its undoubted advantage, however, this drug also has some contraindications.
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 risks 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 a safe method. They must be taken correctly, as they can cause irreparable harm to health.

All women experience delayed menstruation in their lives. And every time we worry, we begin to find out what it is connected with. There are many reasons for its appearance. Therefore, if you observe signs of a missed period, you should consult a gynecologist.

After all, untimely identification of the causes causing disruption of the menstrual cycle and untimely treatment of delayed menstruation can lead to infertility.

Signs of a missed period

A sign of a delay in menstruation is the failure of menstruation to occur within a certain period of time. The delay may be accompanied by nagging pain in the lower back, spotting, breast tenderness, and pain in the lower abdomen. These symptoms often mean your period is about to start.

Normally, the monthly cycle lasts from 21 to 38 days. A cycle duration of 28 days is considered the best option. A missed period is an increase in the normal monthly cycle. All women, regardless of age, may experience changes in their monthly cycle, meaning menstruation may start earlier or later by a few days. A normal delay in menstruation is a delay of no more than five days.

Every woman should learn to correctly calculate the duration of the menstrual cycle. It would be correct to start the calculation from the day your period starts until the first day of the next one. To correctly determine the period of delay of menstruation, women should keep an individual calendar in which to mark the days of the beginning and end of menstruation.

If you have a normal period delay of 1-3 days, this is not a reason to worry. But when the delay in menstruation is 7 days or more, you should consult a doctor, since there can be many reasons for its occurrence.

Causes of delayed menstruation

Pregnancy

Did you have a regular period and then a delay? This may indicate pregnancy. To determine it, you need to do a test. If it shows that you are pregnant, make an appointment with a gynecologist so that he can rule out the presence of an ectopic pregnancy, which can pose a great danger to a woman’s life.

It happens that the test is positive, but a woman gets her period after a delay. This may indicate that the pregnancy was interrupted and a miscarriage occurred. In this case, you also need to consult a doctor. Spontaneous and surgical abortions often lead to infertility or permanent delays in menstruation.

Breastfeeding period

After the birth of a baby, a woman’s body produces the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for lactation. It blocks ovulation, resulting in a severe delay in menstruation. The monthly cycle, as a rule, is restored 1-2 months after stopping breastfeeding. But it happens earlier, even if the woman continues to breastfeed.

Adolescence

Delayed menstruation during puberty is normal and does not require treatment. As a rule, disruptions in the monthly cycle can be observed within 1-2 years after the onset of the first menstruation. But if after two years a normal menstrual cycle has not been established, this indicates that you need to undergo a medical examination.

Premenopause

In women over the age of 40, a delay in menstruation often signals approaching menopause and is not a deviation from the norm. Each time, menstruation comes later and later until it stops altogether.

Acclimatization and stress

Various stressful situations and changes in place of residence also often lead to a delay in menstruation. A maximum delay of menstruation of more than 5 days in this case is not the norm, but does not require treatment. Proper rest and sleep, as well as taking sedatives, will help bring your monthly cycle back to normal.

Wasting and obesity

Extreme diets and intense physical activity lead to exhaustion of the entire body. As a result, the body stops producing the hormone estrogen, which leads to the cessation of ovulation and a delay in menstruation. In obesity, estrogen is produced in excess, which also negatively affects the monthly cycle. A healthy, balanced diet and proper rest will help normalize your monthly cycle.

Intoxication

Alcohol abuse, smoking, drugs, and working in hazardous industries have a negative impact on a woman’s health. Intoxication of the body often leads to irregularities in the menstrual cycle.

Hormonal disorders

A woman's body produces hormones such as progesterone and estrogens. A severe delay in menstruation may be due to hormonal imbalance. A decrease in progesterone levels can lead not only to disruption of the monthly cycle, but also to problems with conception. In case of cycle disturbances, it is imperative to seek qualified medical help.

Gynecological and endocrine diseases:

polycystic ovary syndrome. With this disease, the female body begins to intensively produce male sex hormones, which is why ovulation may be delayed or not occur at all. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, male-type hair growth is observed, acne appears on the face, and body weight increases. The disease often leads to infertility. If you start your period after a delay of more than 7 days, this disease may be the cause, so you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Polycystic ovary syndrome can be caused by malfunctions of the thyroid gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, ovaries;
inflammation of the uterus and its appendages (adnexitis). With this disease, the production of hormones that are responsible for regulating the monthly cycle is disrupted;
endometriosis and uterine fibroids. These diseases can cause both delayed menstruation and uterine bleeding.

The causes of irregular menstruation can also be:

endometritis;
intestinal and colds;
salpingo-oophoritis;
diabetes;
infections and diseases of the genitourinary organs;
thyroid dysfunction;
incorrect placement of the intrauterine device.

Taking birth control medications

The maximum delay of menstruation by more than a week can occur when taking birth control pills or after stopping them. Many women on forums ask the question: “Can menstruation be delayed and become pregnant when taking Postinor tablets?” If the first tablet of this drug was taken within 24 hours after intercourse, and the second - 12 hours after it, in 95% of cases pregnancy does not occur. After discontinuation of the drug Postinor, a delay in menstruation may occur for two weeks.

Diagnosis and treatment of delayed menstruation

To determine the reasons for delayed menstruation, a gynecologist may prescribe the following examinations:

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland, pelvic organs, adrenal glands (to determine or exclude pregnancy, endocrine and gynecological diseases and tumors);
examination for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases;
charting basal temperature;
various studies of the body’s hormonal levels (FSH, PRL, LH, etc.);
general urine and blood tests;
examination of the pituitary gland (electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, computed tomography).
determining the level of hCG in the blood;
consultations with an endocrinologist, nutritionist and psychotherapist.

Treatment for missed periods includes:

treatment of infections causing delay;
hormone therapy;
taking vitamins and homeopathic medicines;
physiotherapy and gynecological massage;
changing your lifestyle (giving up bad habits, eating right, etc.);
acupuncture.

Gynecologists often prescribe progesterone for delayed periods if examination reveals a lack of it in the body. As a rule, the drug is prescribed in the form of injections or tablets. Taking progesterone helps normalize the monthly cycle, but has some contraindications. It is not prescribed for vaginal bleeding, breast tumors, or liver disease.

The homeopathic drug Pulsatilla can also be prescribed by a doctor for delayed menstruation if it is associated with stress. The granules of this drug consist of lumbago extract, known for its medicinal properties. While taking Pulsatilla, you should exclude chocolate, coffee, mint, tea, alcohol and citrus fruits from your diet, as they may reduce its effectiveness.

Delayed menstruation is a menstrual disorder characterized by the absence of menstruation for more than 35 days. The reason for this may be physiological factors, for example, pregnancy or the imminent onset of menopause, as well as pathologies in the female body. Delayed menstruation occurs at any age. You should consult a doctor if there is no menstrual bleeding more than 5 days after the due date. The gynecologist will help find the cause in order to determine further treatment.

Menstrual cycle

The female body of reproductive age functions cyclically. The final stage of such a cycle is monthly bleeding. They indicate that the egg is not fertilized and pregnancy has not occurred. A regular menstrual cycle indicates coherence in the functioning of the female body. A delay in menstruation is an indicator of some kind of failure.

A girl's first menstruation occurs between the ages of 11 and 15 years. At first there may be delays that are not related to pathology. The cycle normalizes after 1-1.5 years. Pathology includes the onset of menstruation at the age of less than 11 years, as well as if it did not begin at 17 years of age. If this age is 18-20 years, then there are problems that may be associated with impaired physical development, underdevelopment of the ovaries, malfunction of the pituitary gland, and others.

Normally, the cycle should be regular: menstruation begins and ends after a certain time. For most women, the cycle is 28 days, which is equal to the length of the lunar month. For about a third of women it is shorter - 21 days, and for 10% it is 30-35 days. Menstruation usually lasts from 3 to 7 days, during which 50 to 150 ml of blood is lost. After 40-55 years, menstruation stops altogether, and this period is called menopause.

Serious women's health problems include:

irregular cycle;
hormonal disorders
frequent delays of menstruation from 5 to 10 days;
alternating scanty and heavy bleeding.

A woman needs to get a menstrual calendar, which will indicate the onset and duration of bleeding. In this case, it is easy to notice a delay in menstruation.

The problem of delayed menstruation in girls and women

A delay in menstruation is considered to be a disruption in the menstrual cycle when the next bleeding does not occur at the right time. The absence of menstruation for 5 to 7 days is not considered pathological. This phenomenon occurs at any age: adolescence, childbearing and premenopause. The reasons for a delay in menstruation can be both physiological and abnormal reasons.

Natural causes during puberty include irregular menstruation for 1-1.5 years during the formation of the cycle. In childbearing age, the physiological causes of delayed menstruation are pregnancy and breastfeeding. During premenopause, the menstrual cycle gradually decreases, frequent delays turn into complete extinction of reproductive function in the female body. Other reasons for delayed periods are not physiological and require consultation with a gynecologist.

Reasons for missed periods

Most often, a delay in menstruation among representatives of the fair sex who are sexually active is associated with pregnancy. Also, in the short term, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, enlargement and tenderness of the mammary glands, drowsiness, changes in taste preferences, morning sickness, and fatigue may occur. Rarely, spotting brownish discharge appears.

Pregnancy can be determined using a pharmacy test or a blood test for hCG. If pregnancy is not confirmed, then a delay in menstruation could be caused by other reasons:

Stress. Every stressful situation, for example related to conflicts, work problems, worries about school, can provoke a delay in menstruation by 5-10 days or even longer.
Overwork, which is often combined with a stressful situation. Physical activity is, of course, good for the body, but if it is excessive, it can affect the regularity of menstruation. Overwork, especially in combination with an exhausting diet, negatively affects estrogen synthesis, which can cause a delay in menstruation. Signs of overwork also include migraines, rapid weight loss, and deterioration in performance. If your period is delayed due to physical fatigue, this means that the body is signaling the need for a break. A delay in menstruation is observed in women who work at night or with a flexible work schedule, which involves overtime on days when it is necessary. The cycle normalizes on its own when the balance between diet and physical activity is restored.
Underweight or, conversely, overweight. For normal functioning of the endocrine system, a woman must keep her BMI normal. Delayed menstruation is often associated with underweight or excess weight. At the same time, the cycle is restored after normalization of body weight. In women suffering from anorexia, menstruation may disappear forever.
Change of usual living environment. The fact is that the body's biological clock is very important for the normal regulation of the menstrual cycle. If they change, for example, as a result of flying to a country with a different climate or starting work at night, a delay in menstruation may occur. If a change in the rhythm of life causes a delay in menstruation, it will normalize on its own within a couple of months.
Colds or inflammatory diseases can also affect menstruation. Each disease can negatively affect the regularity of the cycle and cause a delay in menstruation. This could be an acute course of chronic diseases, acute respiratory viral infections, or any other health problems in the previous month. The regularity of the cycle will be restored within a couple of months.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease accompanied by hormonal imbalance, which causes irregular menstrual bleeding. Signs of polycystic disease also include excessive hair growth in the area of the face and body, problematic skin (acne, oiliness), excess weight and difficulty with fertilization. If the gynecologist determines polycystic ovary syndrome as the cause of the delay in menstruation, he will prescribe a course of oral hormonal contraceptives, which helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
Any inflammatory or tumor disease of the genital organs. In addition to delayed menstruation, inflammatory processes are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and uncharacteristic discharge. They must be treated without fail: such diseases are fraught with complications and even the development of infertility.
Corpus luteum cyst of the ovary. To get rid of it and restore the menstrual cycle, the gynecologist prescribes a course of hormonal medications.
Postpartum period. At this time, the pituitary gland produces the hormone prolactin, which regulates the production of breast milk and inhibits the cyclic functioning of the ovaries. If there is no breastfeeding after childbirth, menstruation should occur in approximately 2 months. If lactation improves, then menstruation, as a rule, returns after its completion.
Artificial termination of pregnancy. In this case, a delay in menstruation is common, but not normal. In addition to a sharp change in hormonal levels, its causes can be mechanical injuries, the presence of which only a doctor can determine.

A malfunction of the thyroid gland also provokes irregular menstruation. This is due to the fact that thyroid hormones affect metabolism. With their excess or deficiency, the menstrual cycle is also disrupted.

Elevated levels of thyroid hormones are characterized by:

decrease in body weight;
increased heart rate;
excessive sweating;
unstable emotional background;
sleep problems.

With a lack of thyroid hormones, the following symptoms appear:

weight gain;
the appearance of swelling;
constant desire to sleep;
causeless hair loss.

If there is a suspicion that a delay in menstruation is caused by a malfunction of the thyroid gland, you should consult an endocrinologist.

Taking certain medications can also cause a delay in menstruation. The main ones:

Oral hormonal contraceptives are the most common drug-related cause of menstrual irregularities. The norm is a delay in menstruation during a break in their use or when taking inactive medications.
Emergency contraceptives can cause absence of menstruation for 5 to 10 days, which is due to the high content of hormones in them.
Chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of oncology.
Antidepressants.
Corticosteroid hormones.
Calcium channel blockers prescribed for the treatment of hypertension.
Omeprazole for treating stomach ulcers causes a side effect in the form of a delay in menstruation.

Between the ages of 45 and 55, most women enter menopause. This is evidenced by the absence of menstruation for a year or more. But menopause never occurs suddenly: for several years before this, irregular menstruation and frequent delays are observed.

There are some other signs that menopause is approaching:

insomnia;
dryness of the vaginal mucosa;
increased night sweats;
unstable emotional background;
hot flashes.

How to normalize the problem with delayed periods

To determine the correct treatment for delayed menstruation, you first need to identify its cause, the elimination of which will help normalize the cycle. To treat premenstrual syndrome and normalize hormonal levels, a course of hormonal medications is prescribed, which:

Relieves problems with conception associated with an insufficient luteal phase.
Help restore ovulation.
Reduces some symptoms of PMS: irritability, swelling and tenderness of the mammary glands.

If the delay in menstruation is associated with any disease, then its treatment will help regulate the cycle. Preventive measures include the following:

If your period is delayed due to physical fatigue or a stressful situation, you can restore the balance of the body with rest, as well as enough sleep. It is important to maintain a positive mood and be calm about events that can trigger stress. The help of a psychologist will also help.
Nutrition should be balanced with the necessary content of vitamins and microelements. You can also take a course of multivitamins.
Keeping a menstrual calendar will help you track any changes in your cycle.
A preventive visit to a gynecologist can prevent any deviations in women’s health.

A woman of reproductive age must monitor the regularity of her cycle. Any disturbance in the body contributes to the development of various diseases.

Delay of menstruation. When to see a doctor

The delay in menstruation should not exceed 5-7 days. Exceptions are age-related hormonal changes during adolescence and premenopause, as well as during lactation. In all other cases, it is imperative to contact a gynecologist.

When discontinuing hormonal contraceptives, a visit to the doctor is required when the cycle does not return for several months. If menstruation is delayed due to lactation, you should consult a gynecologist if menstruation does not occur a year after birth.

In addition to a gynecological examination, the doctor may prescribe the following examinations:

If non-gynecological diseases are identified that cause a delay in menstruation, consultations with other specialists are prescribed.

Types of delays in menstruation

Delays in menstruation vary in duration. After taking emergency contraception, your period may be late for 14 days or more. The same period is typical after injections of the hormonal drug Progesterone, the active ingredient of which is synthetic progesterone. It is prescribed for a deficiency of the corpus luteum in the female body. Progesterone helps reduce uterine contractions. When taking it, only the doctor prescribes the dose and determines the rate of menstruation delay.

After stopping taking oral hormonal contraceptives, the restoration of the menstrual cycle lasts from 1 to 3 months. During this period, a delay of a week or more in menstruation is considered the norm: birth control pills change the cyclicity of the uterus and ovaries. To clarify the functioning of the ovaries, the doctor sends the woman for an ultrasound.

When pregnancy occurs, a characteristic sign of delay is. They are necessary to protect the uterus from penetration of various microorganisms. If, in the early stages of pregnancy, brown discharge occurs, accompanied by abdominal pain, this may indicate a threat of miscarriage.

With diseases of the genitourinary system, which also contribute to a delay in menstruation, the discharge becomes brown in color with a sour odor. They are accompanied by nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Normally, menstruation may begin with small brownish discharge.

A delay in menstruation may indicate the hidden course of certain diseases of both the genital and internal organs. Gynecological diseases that may not manifest themselves in any way other than a delay in menstruation include: erosion, fibroids, cysts, and inflammatory process.

A long delay of menstruation for a period of 1-2 months can be caused by impaired functioning of the adrenal glands, pancreas, pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Problems with these organs have a direct impact on the maturation of the egg. When they begin to produce insufficient amounts of hormones, it eventually leads to ovarian dysfunction.

Hyperinhibition of the ovaries with the absence of menstruation for several cycles can also be observed when taking or after discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives and drugs for the treatment of endometriosis. The cycle usually recovers on its own after a few months.

Often, menstrual bleeding is accompanied by blood clots. Consultation with a specialist is necessary when this occurs regularly and is accompanied by painful sensations.

Folk remedies for the treatment of delayed menstruation

Traditional methods for effectively treating missed periods are quite unique. The use of such drugs must be agreed with a doctor so as not to harm the body. First of all, you should make sure that you are not pregnant: taking herbal medications can cause a miscarriage.

Popular folk remedies that help induce menstruation:

Herbal infusion of nettle, knotweed, rosehip, elecampane, rose radiola root and oregano. All components of the mixture can be purchased at the pharmacy, take 2 tablespoons of each type, pour into a thermos and pour a liter of boiling water. Leave to infuse overnight, then strain and drink the entire infusion during the day, 0.5 cups at a time.
The onion peels are washed under running water, placed in a saucepan and boiled for 15-30 minutes. The decoction is filtered and taken once in the amount of 1 glass.
Ginger decoction should be drunk with caution: it can lead to increased restlessness.
Angelica infusion has anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic effects. It improves the functioning of the nervous system and blood circulation.
An infusion of black cohosh rhizome relieves headaches and depression during menstruation, and also helps regulate the cycle.
Cardiac motherwort improves the functioning of the heart, reduces blood pressure, calms and stimulates the functioning of the uterus.
White peony tincture reduces blood pressure, has a calming effect and improves blood circulation.
A decoction of elecampane root is one of the most powerful remedies in folk medicine. To prepare it, you need to pour a glass of boiling water over a teaspoon of elecampane root, leave for 4 hours, strain and drink a teaspoon several times a day.
Eating celery stimulates uterine contractions.
Taking a hot bath and applying a heating pad to your lower abdomen. These methods help increase blood flow, but you need to be careful with them. A heating pad should not be used if there are tumors or inflammatory processes.
Eating foods rich in vitamin C. It regulates metabolism and is involved in the synthesis of hormones. This vitamin is found in large quantities in citrus fruits, rose hips, currants, peppers, strawberries and sorrel. During pregnancy, its excessive content in the body can cause miscarriage.