A missed period: could it be pregnancy? Or is it something else?

Sofat-The right Address for all the fertility issues

A woman wanting to conceive will be delighted to report a missed period. But there could be another reason behind the missed period. It doesn’t always signify that a baby is on the way. According to IVF Center in India, there can be various reasons for a missed period besides pregnancy.

What else could be behind a missed period then? This is exactly what we wish to discuss in this article.

  1. Hormonal imbalance

We all know that a period occurs as a result of the ovulation process which prepares the body for fertilization of the egg. In the absence of fertilization, the egg fails to implant in the uterine lining. As a result, the lining is shed and passed out of the body in the form of menstruation. A missed period in absence of pregnancy signifies problems with your ovulation cycle. It is essential to keep track of your cycle to determine if it is regular or not. Any cycle which spans less than 21 days or more than 35 days is irregular. Tracking your cycle will help distinguish between irregular periods and missed periods.

  1. Extreme changes in weight

Extreme changes in weight cause inflammation of hormones. So, whether you lose or you gain drastically, you are bound to experience fertility problems. So be careful if you have opted for an intense workout program or have gained weight. Managing weight at an ideal level according to your age, height and gender is something which is recommended for all the people.

  1. Breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding your child,it is possible to miss your period. Breastfeeding is known to lower the estrogenlevels which leads to lowering of luteinizing hormone. This leads to the absence of ovulation and thus the woman witnesses a missed period. The process is bound to be resumed sooner or later as time passes.

  1. PCOS

The polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common reason for missed periods. Other symptoms which indicate the presence of PCOS are excess hair growth in the face, thumbs or chest area, hair loss, acne, and weight gain. In this condition, the ovary shows the growth of multiple cysts on its surface, which may often lead to infertility. Hormonal intervention and adopting a healthy lifestyle is what is prescribed for PCOS patients.

  1. Pill issues

Women wanting to conceive need to get off the pill. The process leads to hormonal disruption and the concerned woman might experience a missed period due to this reason also. The pill minimizes your chances of getting pregnant by suppressing your ovulation. When you stop taking pills, the resumption of the cycle might take some time. While some women experience a resumption of their cycles right away, some may experience the same after some time.

  1. Stress issues

Extreme stress is one more factor which can lead to the occurrence of a missed period. Stress is known to influence hypothalamus and pituitary gland , which control the secretion of estrogen from the ovaries. Cortisol, a hormone released during stress conditions casts an influence over the estrogen secretion and ovulation. Thus stress can lead to a missed period.