Here's why you may have missed your period

Darielle Britto | Jul 26, 2019, 13:10 IST
It's common for women to miss their period. In most cases, it is no cause for worry, experts say.

Sometimes, a missed period is your body's way of protecting you, particularly when you are stressed. "When you undergo a lot of stress, your body may not ovulate and have a period,"Melissa Goist, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Ohio State University Medical Center, told a news portal. Adding, "That's your body's way of protecting you from getting pregnant and having the additional stress of a baby."

Your job, relationships, and workout can be huge sources of stress.Too much exercise can sometimes take a toll on the body and cause you to miss your period.You are also likely to miss your period if you are taking medication to regulate them.

While these issues are normal for many women, other causes may require a little more attention. If you have missed your period too many times, it could be due to low estrogen levels, according to a study published in theJournal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Serious health issues may also be the underlying reason for missed periods. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that is one of those reasons. "The uterine lining builds up every month but is not shed. Over time it can thicken and cancerous changes can occur," DraionM. Burch, D.O., clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, told a news portal.

PCOS has become a common cause of female infertility across the globe. While its cause is unknown, early detection and treatment could help to reduce the risk of serious complications.

Missed periods can also occur if you are suffering from an eating disorder. Your chances of missing your period are high if your body fat percentage is lower than 15 to 17 per cent, according to the National Institutes of Health (US).

If you miss your period often, it's time to visit a gyno to find out what's going on. When you visit the doctor, make sure you take with you a calendar of your menstrual cycles and make a list of unusual lifestyle factors that may be contributing factors.
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