Missed or late periods occur for a variety of reasons other than pregnancy. Hormonal abnormalities to significant medical disorders are common causes.

There are two other occasions when your period is likely to be irregular: when it first begins and when the menopause transition begins. Your cycle may become erratic while your body goes through the shift.

Most women who have not achieved menopause have their period every 28 days. A healthy menstrual cycle, on the other hand, can occur every 21 to 40 days. But there are more reasons for missed periods except for pregnancy. Read on to learn more about them.

1. Low body weight

People with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, may have irregular periods. Excessive weight loss might cause irregular periods and perhaps end your cycle entirely. This is because a lack of body fat might cause ovulation to be delayed.

Getting treatment for your eating issue and regaining appropriate body fat can help you return your cycle to its original length.

People who engage in intense sports, such as marathons, may also develop cycle anomalies.

2. Obesity

Living with a high body weight can trigger hormonal changes like living with a low body weight might.

Obesity can cause the body to create an excess of estrogen, an important reproductive hormone. Too much estrogen might disrupt your cycle and even cause your periods to cease completely.

If your doctor determines that obesity is a contributing reason to your irregular or skipped periods, they may advise you to lose weight through lifestyle modifications such as eating more nutrient-dense meals and exercising.

3. Stress

Chronic stress can disrupt your hormones, change your lifestyle, and even impact the area of your brain that regulates your period, the hypothalamus. Stress can cause illness or rapid weight increase or loss over time, which might disrupt your cycle.

If you suspect that stress is interfering with your menstruation, try practicing relaxation techniques and adopting lifestyle adjustments.

Chronic stress can impact other health concerns, so resolving it yourself or with the support of a medical expert is a vital aspect of caring for your overall well-being.

4. Chronic illnesses

Diabetes and celiac disease, for example, can impact your menstrual cycle. Because blood sugar fluctuations are linked to hormonal changes, uncontrolled diabetes may cause your menstruation to be irregular.

Celiac disease causes inflammation in the small intestine, which may hinder your body from absorbing essential nutrients. As a result, Trusted Source may experience irregular or missed periods.

Other chronic illnesses that can cause cycle abnormalities include:

• Cushing's disease
• Adrenal hyperplasia at birth
• Asherman's disease

5. Thyroid problems

Late or skipped periods could also be caused by an overactive or underactive thyroid gland.

Because the thyroid regulates your body's metabolism, hormone levels can be impacted. Thyroid problems are frequently treatable with medicine. Your period will most likely return to normal after treatment.

6. Contraception

Your cycle may fluctuate when you start or stop using birth control pills. Birth control tablets contain the chemicals estrogen and progestin, which inhibit egg production in your ovaries. It can take up to three months for your period to return to normal after you stop using the pill.

Other kinds of implanted or injectable contraception can also cause missed periods.

Conclusion

Every menstrual cycle is unique, just like every individual. While 28 days is the most common cycle duration, cycles can last anywhere from 28 to 40 days.

Cycle irregularities can occur for a variety of causes, including chronic stress, weight loss or increase, and stopping or beginning birth control.

If you've noticed that your cycle has been irregular recently, or if you've missed a period and know you're not pregnant, consult your doctor straight immediately. The sooner they can determine a diagnosis, the sooner you can start working on re-regulating your cycle.