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Women who are used to having regular periods are often concerned by late or missed cycles. While it’s important to consult your gynecologist if your period becomes irregular, there may be a simple explanation that can put your mind at ease and help you guide you toward a healthy schedule once again. Here are a few common reasons for late or missed periods. 

Top 5 Reasons You Could Miss a Period

1. Stress

When you feel stressed due to work, family issues, or new situations, the amount of the hormone gonadotrophin released in your body can shift. This change can impact ovulation and the timing of your periods. If you notice shifts in your periods during times of stress and anxiety, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist and consider asking for a referral to a mental health counselor. 

2. Weight Fluctuation

Rapid weight loss or gain impacts the amount of estrogen and progesterone your body produces. In either situation, periods can stop or become irregular. Reaching a healthy weight by embracing a strong nutrition plan and exercising can normalize your periods.

3. Extreme Exercise

GynecologistWomen who start exercising regularly for the first time or who suddenly begin a strenuous workout regimen in a small window of time can see changes in pituitary and thyroid hormones. As a result of these hormonal shifts, periods can be late or may skip a month. Talk to your gynecologist about your new exercise routine to confirm that it’s healthy for your body, and ask for recommendations such as nutritional adjustments, vitamin supplements, or rest days to get you back on track. 

4. Schedule Changes

If you’ve recently established a new daily routine, switched from day to night shifts, or traveled internationally, your body’s natural clock will need time to reset before you feel energized and rested. Also, these schedule changes can impact ovulation and your reproductive cycle in general until you’ve adapted.

5. New Medications

Incorporating new medications into your daily routine can impact your menstrual cycle. Prescription medications such as antidepressants, thyroid medications, and chemotherapy pills can disrupt or delay your periods as a side effect. Additionally, birth control methods prescribed by your gynecologist can impact your cycle in the short term. Talk to your OB-GYN about any new medication you’re taking if you have concerns about menstruation.

 

If you’re located in the greater St. Peters or Bridgeton, MO, area, and you’re concerned about late or missed periods, Advanced OB-GYN Services can provide compassionate care. Led by esteemed gynecologist Dr. Joseph Hazan, this modern gynecology clinic has been helping women throughout the region maintain their reproductive health for over 30 years. To schedule an appointment, call (636) 928-1800 for the St. Peters office or (314) 291-2140 for Bridgeton. Visit their website to explore their services, from prenatal care to tubal reversal. 

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