Late Menstruation Can Be Caused By These 10 Things

Menstrual cycle is a series of changes in a woman's body to prepare for pregnancy. But that does not mean if you are not menstruating or menstruation is late, a woman is definitely pregnant. Late menstruation can also be caused by other things, such as stress, smoking, certain diseases, to the side effects of hormonal contraception. Each woman's menstrual cycle is different. The normal length of the menstrual cycle is 21-35 days, calculated from the first day of menstruation this month, until the first day of the next menstruation. Menstrual cycles are usually the same every month, but there are also times when menstruation comes late.

Various Causes of Late Menstruation

If the "menstruation period" is back from normal time, it could be due to one of the following reasons, namely:

• Stress

When stress, hormones and the part of the brain responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, namely the hypothalamus, will be disrupted. In addition, weight can go up or down drastically as a result of stress. It all can affect the menstrual cycle. In certain cases, this can mimic fake pregnancy symptoms. If late menstruation is caused by stress, it is recommended to practice relaxation techniques, change lifestyles, and exercise regularly so that the menstrual cycle returns smoothly.

• Obesity

Weight gain can trigger hormonal changes in women. Research shows that women with a body mass index of 25-30, or more than 30, have a high risk of having late periods. Diet and exercise may be recommended by your doctor if obesity is a factor that causes delayed menstruation that you experience.

• Weight loss

Late menstruation may be experienced by women with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. If you weigh less than 10 percent of your ideal body weight, your body's function will be disrupted and ovulation (the process by which one ovary releases the egg) is stopped. Treating eating disorders and gaining healthy weight can restore a normal menstrual cycle.

• The excess prolactin hormone

Late menstruation can be caused by an abnormal production of the hormone prolactin. Hormones produced in the pituitary gland will increase during lactation, but can also occur due to certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease and pituitary gland tumors in the brain. The increase in the prolactin hormone can affect the performance of other hormones that play a role in the menstrual process, namely estrogen and progesterone.

• Contraception

Birth control pills or birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin which prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. It can take up to six months for the menstrual cycle to return to consistency after stopping taking birth control pills. Embedded or injected hormonal contraceptives can also cause late menstruation.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (polycystic ovary syndrome / PCOS)

PCOS is a condition in which there are abnormalities in hormones and metabolic systems so that the function of the ovaries is disrupted. This condition can cause late menstruation or no menstruation at all, and can affect fertility. The cause of this condition is not yet known with certainty, but it is suspected that PCOS is associated with other conditions, such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. In addition to late menstruation, other symptoms of PCOS are acne, weight gain, difficulty getting offspring, and excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and stomach.

• Chronic disease

Diabetes and celiac disease can affect the menstrual cycle. Unstable blood sugar is closely related to hormonal changes. Therefore, uncontrolled diabetes makes menstruation irregular. While celiac disease causes inflammation that can cause damage to the small intestine. This condition can prevent the body from absorbing important nutrients, causing late menstruation.

• Thyroid problem

The thyroid gland functions to regulate the body's metabolism. If this hormone does not work well, menstruation can be disrupted. Problematic thyroid gland can be identified by symptoms such as the body feeling very tired, body weight changes rapidly, hair loss, and sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. But don't worry, thyroid problems can be treated with drugs and surgery. Menstruation will return to normal after the problem is treated.

• Early Menopause

Most women begin menopause at the age of 45-55 years. However, there are also women who experience menopausal symptoms at the age of 40 years and under. This condition is called early menopause. Menopause causes the release of the egg to stop, resulting in late menstruation or even stopping altogether.

• Smoke

Smoking can cause menstrual disorders, one of which is late menstruation. This happens because substances in cigarettes, including nicotine, can affect the hormones estrogen and progesterone which play a role in the menstrual cycle.

For women over 40 years, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately if your menstrual patterns change suddenly. For example, more blood comes out, menstrual time is longer, or other complaints such as vaginal bleeding after sex. Why? This can be a sign of cervical polyps, endometrial polyps, precancerous conditions (endometrial hyperplasia), or even endometrial cancer. Late menstruation may be considered as not frightening by some women. Though these conditions can also be a symptom of some serious conditions and illnesses. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you experience late menstruation. Also if there are other problems related to menstruation, such as menstruation stopping suddenly for more than 90 days, monthly cycles become very irregular, menstruation lasts for more than 7 days, severe pain, or heavy blood coming out and have to replace pads every one or once every two hours.