Delayed menstruation in a married woman is the first symptom of pregnancy most of the time. Delayed menstruation in girls in the first years of its onset is not a cause for concern. What are the reasons for delayed menstruation for married women and girls? This is what we will shed light on in this article, so follow along with us. 

Causes of delayed natural menstrual cycle

In some cases, a delayed menstrual cycle is not worrisome and is normal. When is a delayed menstrual cycle normal?

• At the beginning of puberty, it is normal for menstruation to be irregular in the first years of puberty, and it may take time for it to stabilize 
• When menopause approaches, i.e. the period before menopause, the menstrual cycle is irregular and may be later or earlier than usual. 
• During the breastfeeding period, due to the increase in the level of the milk hormone prolactin during the breastfeeding period, it leads to a delay or interruption of the menstrual cycle. 
• In cases of severe stress and anxiety, due to the effect on the level of hormones in the body, which leads to delayed menstruation. 
• Significant changes in weight affect the level of the body’s hormones and affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle.
• As a result of using some contraceptive methods, some hormonal contraceptive methods, such as birth control pills or hormonal IUDs, may lead to a delay or interruption of the menstrual cycle. 

Reasons for delayed menstruation for single women

Girls' first menstrual period usually comes when they reach puberty, at the age of 12-15 years. Its duration varies from one girl to another and ranges between 24-34 days. 

It is also possible for the length of a girl’s cycle to vary from one month to another, especially in the first years after puberty, but when the cycle is later than normal, this certainly raises a lot of concern. The reasons for a delayed menstrual cycle for girls include the following:

• Feeling extremely stressed and anxious, due to their effect on hormones. 
• Sudden changes in weight, whether by loss or gain, because it affects the hormonal balance. 
• Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition that causes irregular menstruation due to its effect on hormones. 
• Thyroid disorders, whether insufficiency or hyperactivity, affect the balance of hormones in the body. 
• Excessive exercise, especially with low weight
• Some medications affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle, such as depression medications and thyroid medications. 
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and pituitary gland diseases. 

Reasons for delayed menstruation for married women

The reasons for delayed menstruation in married women vary, and are as follows:

• Pregnancy is one of the most important reasons for delayed menstruation for married women. It is recommended to wait a week from the date of the menstrual period to perform a blood pregnancy test. If the result is negative, it is recommended to repeat the test after another week.
• Using contraceptives, especially hormonal ones such as hormonal patches that work by preventing ovulation, or stopping using one of the contraceptive methods, leads to hormonal disturbances and delays the menstrual cycle. 
• Stress, anxiety, and tension, which is common in newly married women, is considered normal, and the menstrual cycle returns to its normal nature after several months. 
• Early menopause: Approaching menopause, starting at the age of forty, leads to irregular menstruation and its cessation for several months, paving the way for it to stop completely after reaching menopause, that is, usually at fifty. 
• Severe weight loss or gain and excessive obesity. 
• Breastfeeding, due to an increase in prolactin, the milk hormone, which affects the body’s hormones and leads to delaying the menstrual cycle.
• Some medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorders, diabetes, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. 

Read also: أهم التغيرات التي تخص صحة المرأة بعد الثلاثين

Causes of delayed menstruation without pregnancy

After performing a pregnancy test and ruling out pregnancy, which is the strongest cause of delayed menstruation for married women, then we look at other common causes of delayed menstruation without pregnancy for married women, and they are as follows:

• Hormonal contraceptives. 
• Fatigue and stress. 
• Anxiety and nervous stress. 
• متلازمة تكيس المبايض. 
• Premenopausal period. 
• Medicines that interfere with the action of hormones. 
• اضطراب الغدة الدرقية. 
• Weight disorders, whether severe low body weight or excess and obesity. 
• Violent sports. 
• Breastfeeding and increased prolactin. 
• Some chronic diseases such as diabetes. 
• The presence of tumors in the uterus.

Reasons for delayed menstruation after stopping birth control pills

Many women use contraceptives to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent pregnancy, but after stopping taking them, some women may be surprised by a delay in their menstrual cycle other than the occurrence of pregnancy, and the reasons may include the following:

• Low hormone levels, as hormonal pregnancy pills work to supply the body with hormones throughout the month and then stop suddenly, so the body’s hormones begin to regulate the cycle, which takes time. 
• Delayed ovulation. Some pregnancy pills work by stopping the release of the fertilized egg from the ovary. After stopping taking the pill, the body needs a period of time to restore the ovary’s function and release the egg. 
• Cases of ovarian dysfunction, such as early menopause. 
• Strong changes in weight, whether gaining or losing. 
• Anxiety and acute stress. 
• Thyroid disorders, whether overactive or inactive. 

What should be done when menstruation is late?

Of course, a delayed menstrual cycle is worrying for many women, but in most cases it is not serious. You can follow these general instructions when your menstrual cycle is delayed:

• Wait for a few days and don't worry. 
• Monitor the appearance of any strange symptoms such as breast pain, nausea, or the presence of any abnormal vaginal discharge. 
• Conduct a home or blood pregnancy test. It is recommended to wait 7 days after your period is late to do a pregnancy test.
• Lifestyle assessment, as severe stress, strong weight changes, excessive exercise, or sleep disturbances may affect menstrual delay.
• Try to reduce stress and get enough sleep.
• Drink plenty of hot drinks, such as cinnamon, anise, and mint. 
• Eat healthy foods and avoid sweets and fast food. 
• You should consult a doctor about a delayed period if it is delayed for more than 3 months in order to conduct tests and provide appropriate treatment. 

Book your consultation now at مركز صحة المرأة At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is it normal for a menstrual period to be late?

The duration of the menstrual cycle varies between women, and in general the menstrual cycle is considered regular if it ranges between 21 and 35 days, and a delay is normal if it is delayed by up to 3 days from its usual date. 

If more than 35 days have passed since the beginning of the last menstrual period, this is considered a delay, and simple home steps can be followed to stop it. If it is delayed for 3 months, it is considered interrupted, and a doctor must be consulted immediately. 

How do I know that a delayed period is not pregnancy?

When the period is late at the beginning of its delay in the first days and before 7 days have passed to take the pregnancy test, the woman feels anxious about whether this is pregnancy or a delayed period. These are some of the symptoms that accompany a delayed period without pregnancy:

• Sudden and severe mood swings such as sadness, anger, or anxiety. 
• Easily irritable and angry. 
• Abdominal bloating and discomfort.
• Feeling a slight increase in weight. 
• Notice the appearance of acne on the face.
• Changes in appetite, such as increased or lost appetite. 
• Sleep disorders, whether difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping. 
• Suffering from frequent headaches. 
• Feeling pain or sensitivity in the breast.
• Some women may experience cramps or cramps in the lower abdomen. 
• Fatigue, exhaustion, and feeling lethargic. 
• Changes in vaginal discharge, such as an increase in it, or a change in color or smell. 

What is the difference between a delayed period and pregnancy?

The symptoms of delayed menstruation and early pregnancy symptoms are very similar, causing confusion and anxiety for many women. Therefore, we will guide you to the similar symptoms and distinctive symptoms of both delayed menstruation without pregnancy and pregnancy. 

Delayed menstruation and pregnancy are similar in the following symptoms:

• Delayed menstruation is the main symptom. 
• Mood changes from nerve irritation and anxiety. 
• Breast pain and sensitivity in the breasts. 
• Fatigue and general exhaustion. 
• التبول المتكرر. 

While early pregnancy symptoms are characterized by the following:

• Morning sickness, often accompanied by vomiting. 
• Appetite changes, in terms of aversion to some foods and desire to eat others. 
• Change in the color of the nipples and they become darker in colour. 
• Light bleeding may occur as a result of the fertilized egg implanting in the uterus. 
• A slight increase in body temperature that lasts for several days. 

While the symptoms of delayed menstruation without pregnancy are characterized by the following:

• The appearance of acne on the face.
• Slight weight gain. 
• The usual course symptoms of flatulence and headache may be more severe. 

 When does a delayed period require seeing a doctor?

Women wonder when to go to see a doctor and get an examination when their menstrual period is late. The answer is in one of the following cases:

• Absence of menstruation for a whole month and the pregnancy test result was negative. 
• The menstrual cycle was delayed 3 times in a row after it was regular. 
• Strange symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting appear. 
• It suddenly stopped for 3 months. 
• Suffering from severe pain or abdominal cramps. 
• The appearance or growth of hair in new areas such as the face, chin, chest, or abdomen. 

What is the treatment for delayed menstruation without pregnancy?

Treatment of delayed menstruation  after ruling out pregnancy depends on knowing the reason for this delay and trying to treat it. The doctor determines the reason for the delay by knowing the lifestyle, medical history, and medications she usually takes, after which the patient is advised on the method of treatment, which may be one of the following options:

• Relax and stay away from any nervous pressure. 
• Do simple exercises regularly and avoid excessive or violent exercise. 
• Eat healthy foods and maintain an ideal weight. 
• Treating chronic diseases and their effect on delayed menstruation. 
• If the cause is contraception, another appropriate method is chosen. 

 In conclusion, there are many reasons for a delayed menstrual cycle. There are natural causes and others as a result of suffering from medical conditions. We advise you, if your period is delayed for a full month without pregnancy, for married women to visit a gynecologist immediately. 

You can contact us at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital on our numbers listed on the website for more details, reservations, and inquiries. 

Sources

Why Is My Period Late – healthline

Menstrual Cycle – moh.gov