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Suite 15, 117A Harley Street, London, W1G 6AT, UK
Suite 15, 117A Harley Street, London, W1G 6AT, UK
Missed periods may occur due to several reasons. However, the underlying cause is not always much serious. As long as you feel well and healthy and are sure of not being pregnant, you need worry if you miss a period or two.
But if you do not get period for 3 to 6 months consistently or are experiencing other symptoms, you must consult a doctor. In some teenage girls, periods may begin later than other girls. If you have not got your periods by your 14 to 16 years of age, or have not yet developed breasts or pubic hairs till then, consulting your doctor can help.
Periods can be irregular, infrequent, or erratic. If you bleed after sex or in between your periods or after the menopause, see your doctor to find out its causes.
You often need not worry in the first place if your periods stop, until there is noserious cause. In fact, there are certain phases where missing periods is normal. These include:
Stress impacts hormones produced from the brain, which in turn influence hormones from the ovaries that regulate periods. A sudden shock or ongoing stress can disrupt this balance and temporarily stop your periods. Fortunately, this is usually short-term, and your cycle tends to return naturally once the stress is managed or subsides.
Losing weight can cause periods to stop, especially if your body mass index (BMI) falls below 19. This is common in individuals with anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder), where significant weight loss disrupts hormone levels. Athletes, gymnasts, and long-distance runners who engage in intense exercise may also experience this. A condition called RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports) affects athletes and leads to missed periods, fatigue, weakened bones, and other health issues due to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Restoring balance often helps resume normal menstrual cycles.
PCOS is a common condition which may be responsible for irregular or absent periods. Other symptoms may include weight loss difficulty, acne, and excess body hair. Hormonal imbalances linked to PCOS often affect the menstrual cycle and overall reproductive health.
Several conditions that affect hormone levels can lead to missed or irregular periods. These include:
Each of these hormonal imbalances can impact the reproductive system and may require medical evaluation and treatment to restore normal menstrual function.
Genes are the building units that shape our cells and determine our unique traits. Genetic conditions occur when these genes are abnormal. In rare cases, such abnormalities can cause a lack of periods. This usually results in primary amenorrhoea, where periods never begin.
One well-known example is Turner syndrome, a condition where girls are typically shorter than average, may have specific physical features, and their ovaries do not function properly. As a result, they often do not begin menstruating at the usual age.
Other genetic conditions can affect the development of the reproductive system. For instance, in androgen insensitivity syndrome, a child may appear to have female genitals on the outside but lack female reproductive organs inside, such as ovaries or a womb. Without these, periods cannot occur.
In some cases, babies may not develop normally before birth and may be born with physical differences that prevent menstruation. Rarely, a girl may be born without a vagina or with a blockage that stops menstrual flow.
The average age for periods to stop is around 51, though this can vary widely. If periods end before age 40, it is called premature menopause. When they stop between ages 40 and 45, it is referred to as early menopause. Menopause marks the end of menstrual cycles and is often accompanied by symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, and mood changes. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing hormones like oestrogen and progesterone.
Several contraceptive treatments can stop your periods, either temporarily or in the long-term. Other medications may also affect menstrual cycles. These include certain antipsychotics used for schizophrenia, anti-sickness drugs, and strong painkillers.
Some surgical procedures can lead to absent periods. A hysterectomy, which involves removal of the womb, results in permanent loss of periods, as menstrual bleeding originates from the womb. Another procedure, endometrial ablation, removes the womb’s lining to treat heavy bleeding. This can stop periods temporarily, though they may return over time.
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can damage the ovaries, disrupting hormone production and causing periods to stop, sometimes permanently.
Additionally, the use of certain recreational drugs can interfere with hormonal balance and lead to missed or stopped periods. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider if your periods stop unexpectedly, as the cause can vary and may require medical attention or support.
After stopping the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill or contraceptive injection, it may take time for your natural cycle to return. Your body may need a few months to adjust, and it can take several months before your periods start again. This delay is normal and varies from person to person.
Girls start their periods at different ages. In most cases, this is simply natural variation and not a cause for concern. However, you should speak to your doctor if you:
It is always a good idea to seek medical advice if you are unsure or worried about changes in your body or your menstrual cycle.
There’s no need to panic! In most cases, there is nothing serious which causes your periods to stop. The first and most important step is to take a pregnancy test if there is any chance you could be pregnant. If the test is negative and you are otherwise feeling well, your periods will likely return in time.
You should see a doctor if you:
Getting medical advice can help identify any underlying issues and offer peace of mind.
If you visit a doctor because your periods have stopped, they will begin by asking you some questions to understand your situation better. The doctor may ask:
Next, the doctor may carry out a physical examination. This could include checking your weight and height to calculate your BMI, feeling your tummy, and looking for signs of underlying conditions – such as excess body hair (which could suggest PCOS) or a lump in the neck (possibly linked to thyroid problems). In some cases, an internal examination may be needed.
Whether further tests are required will depend on the doctor’s findings from the consultation and examination. You may not need any test at all. If needed, tests may include:
These steps help the doctor determine the cause and decide on the best course of action.
This treatment is done according to the cause. Most cases do not usually require treatment.
While missing periods for short term does not have any complication, missed period for a longer duration can lead to problems like:
Women who are not having periods may not be ovulating; meaning natural pregnancy might not be possible. For some, this can be a concern. However, many causes of absent ovulation can be treated. If you are hoping to get pregnant, it is important to speak with your doctor. They can help identify the cause and discuss fertility treatment options that may support conception.
When periods stop and are accompanied by low levels of the hormone oestrogen, there may be a risk of bone weakening. Oestrogen plays a key role in maintaining bone strength, and bones can begin to weaken after menopause. If bone loss becomes severe, leading to easy fractures, this is called osteoporosis. This risk is higher in women who have not had a period for over a year, especially due to early menopause, significant weight loss, anorexia nervosa, or excessive exercise. Maintaining healthy hormone levels and bone strength is important, so speak to your doctor if you are concerned about long-term absent periods.
Low oestrogen levels may increase the risk of heart disease. Women with PCOS are also more prone to risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Maintaining a healthy diet is especially important for women with PCOS to help lower these risks and support overall heart health. Regular check-ups and lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.
Periods may also occur in the following patterns in some cases, such as:
Having infrequent periods is known as oligomenorrhoea. Its causes are similar to those of absent periods, with the most common being polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Identifying the cause can help guide treatment and manage any related health concerns.
Bleeding between periods can have a number of reasons. After you start taking the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill, it is common during the first 2 to 3 months.
In situations of a missed period, speak to your doctor if you experience bleeding between periods or after sex. This may require a physical examination and tests to determine the cause. Identifying the reason early can help ensure the right treatment and rule out any serious conditions.
So, if you have a missed period, do not panic. Contact us right away to see a private gynaecologist at London GP Clinic.
