Many women will have late or missed periods in their lifetime. Depending on the reason, this can be normal.
Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of a missed period; however, it is only one of several reasons why your period may be late or missed.
Missed or late periods may also be caused by:
- Stress
- Thyroid disorders
- Perimenopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID)
- Breastfeeding
- Sudden changes in your weight
- Obesity
- Extreme or excessive exercise
- Taking certain medications
When you don’t get your period at all, this is known as amenorrhea. There are two kinds of amenorrhea: primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea occurs in females aged 15 and older who have never had their first period. Secondary amenorrhea happens when women who have previously had regular periods stop menstruating for three months or more in a row.
The absence of your period, when not caused by perimenopause, menopause, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, can be indicative of an underlying health condition.
You should see a doctor for missed periods if:
- You have missed your period for three months or more consecutively
- You have fewer than nine periods in a year
- You have not had your period by the age of 16 or 17
- There are changes in the pattern of your periods
Your doctor may perform a pelvic examination and order tests, including imaging and hormonal tests, to determine a diagnosis. Treatment for amenorrhea depends on the underlying cause and may involve medications or surgery.
If you have concerns about missed or late periods, please contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health department for an appointment by calling 718-291-3276.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.