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Delay of menstruation – this is the absence of cyclic bleeding for more than 35 days in a woman of reproductive age who has not entered the menopause. There can be many reasons for such a violation of menstrual function, they are caused by physiological, organic and functional disorders.
As for the age at which the delay is observed, it can be different, starting from the period of puberty of the girl and ending with the period of premenopause. Statistics indicate that 100% of women have faced this problem at least once in their lives.
What are the reasons for delayed menstruation?
Naturally, the most common reason that the next menstrual cycle does not start on time is pregnancy. In addition, a woman’s taste sensations change, morning sickness and even vomiting may occur, pain in the mammary glands appears. All these signs are associated with a change in the hormonal background in a woman’s body after conception.
However, pregnancy is an obvious reason for the onset of a delay and it is not difficult to determine it using a special test.
If the result is negative, then other reasons should be considered, including:
Increased emotional stress, for example, severe stress, study load before exams. Do not underestimate the impact of stress on a woman’s body. It can cause serious malfunctions in the areas of the brain that are responsible for hormonal regulation. Under severe stress, menstruation can stop even for several years.
Increased physical stress associated, for example, with increased sports training or difficult working conditions.
Professional hard sports.
Early menopause, which can occur even at the age of 30 years. This is most often associated with diseases of the endocrine system.
Radical changes in the usual way of life, for example, changing jobs, places of residence, moving to another climatic zone or time zone, etc. In this case, the delay in menstruation is due to the adaptation of the body to changed conditions.
Performed gynecological operations. In the event that a woman experiences a delay after surgery, she needs an urgent consultation with a doctor (if the doctor has not previously reported possible failures in the regular cycle).
Genetic diseases.
Diseases of the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems.
Changes in hormonal status, which may be associated with the onset of the period of premenopause, with the onset of puberty. Often, cycle delays occur in adolescent girls, such delays in the first two years after the onset of menstruation are the norm. After this time, the cycle should be established.
Excessive production of testosterone in the body. With such a violation, the woman begins to grow hair above the upper lip, in the inguinal region, the skin becomes greasy. You should not hesitate to consult a doctor, as this can ultimately lead to infertility.
Refusal to take hormonal contraceptives. This delay is due to the fact that the functionality of the ovaries is reduced against the background of a long supply of hormones from the outside. A deviation from the norm in this case is the absence of more than 2-3 cycles.
Taking drugs with a high content of hormones, which are used as methods of emergency contraception. For example, such means as Postinora, Escapeli, etc.
Violations of the maturation of the follicle, which is expressed in its atresia or persistence.
The period after childbirth, when the delay is due to hormonal changes due to the onset of lactation. The body in excess begins to produce prolactin, which contributes to the suppression of the functionality of the ovaries. A woman needs to know that if the baby does not receive a breast, then menstruation should begin after two months. If the mother feeds the child, then menstruation should be restored after the cessation of lactation.
Viral infections, such as SARS and influenza.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases: gastritis, stomach ulcers, diabetes. In addition, violations of the functionality of the thyroid gland, kidneys, etc. can have an impact.
Taking medicines. Antidepressants, corticosteroids, chemotherapy for oncological diseases can have an effect.
Weight gain, obesity. The risk of developing amenorrhea is especially high in concomitant stressful situations.
Inflammation of the genital organs – oophritis, adnexitis.
A benign tumor is uterine fibroids.
Endometriosis.
Polycystic ovaries causing hormonal disorders. Accompanying symptoms are: seborrheic dermatitis, increased hair growth, acne.
Cyst of the corpus luteum of the ovary. It is formed due to violations of the production of hormones in the body of a woman.
Avitaminosis. The lack of vitamins will lead to the fact that the immune system will begin to suffer, this will lead to a slowdown in all metabolic processes, which means it will inevitably affect the hormonal background of a woman. Vitamin E deficiency, as well as its overabundance, has a particular effect.
Irregular sexual relations. It has been noticed that when a permanent sexual partner appears in a woman’s life, violations in the menstrual cycle often resolve themselves.
Oncological diseases of the body of the uterus, cervix.
Digestive disorders, which may be due to strict diets, diseases, overeating, metabolic failures, etc.
Abortion. In this case, either hormonal disorders or mechanical damage lead to a delay.
Ectopic or missed pregnancy. Both cases require immediate surgical intervention.
Miscarriage in the early stages after conception.
Marked weight loss. A disease such as anorexia can lead to a complete shutdown of the functionality of the ovaries.
Alcohol abuse, drug use. Often, a delay in menstruation can occur in women who prefer beer to all alcoholic beverages.
Hypothermia of the body, as well as its overheating, can provoke a delay in the next cycle.
An increase in the level of prolactin in the blood, which can become a symptom of a brain tumor.
Reasons for delaying menstruation by 2-3-4-5 days
Failure in the menstrual cycle for a short period of time – up to 5 days or less, is considered the norm. However, if after this time the menstruation has not resumed, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
There may be several reasons for such a short delay, and most often they are explained by natural physiological processes occurring in the body. So, in the puberty period, when the formation of the cycle is still taking place, such breaks are not any deviation from the norm. Temporal fluctuations with delays of up to 5 or even 7 days can be observed for 1,5-2 years. After that, the menstrual schedule should return to normal. If this does not happen, then you should seek the advice of a doctor.
In addition, such a delay is a frequent companion of the premenopausal period, when there is a progressive slowdown in menstrual function. The rhythms of a woman’s body change, as well as the timing of each cycle. At this time, delays in menstruation can be replaced by their complete absence.
Sometimes such time delays can also occur in women of childbearing age. Most often, women themselves are able to determine the reason for such a short delay – this is the onset of pregnancy, breastfeeding, refusal to take oral contraceptives, acclimatization and other natural physiological reasons. But if such violations become regular, then this indicates pathological processes occurring in the body and a doctor’s consultation is necessary in this case.
According to doctors, a short single delay in menstruation for up to five days is a physiological norm and most often does not require special treatment. However, no one knows her body better than the woman herself. Therefore, if there is reason to be concerned about a delay of even a few days, then you should not put off going to the doctor.
Causes of a delay in menstruation for 10-15 days or more, the test is negative
Prolonged absence of the menstrual cycle is a delay of 10-15 days or more. If the pregnancy test performed did not give a positive result, then it makes sense to start worrying about your own health. Most often, such a prolonged absence of menstruation indicates the presence of any disorders in the body. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the cause of the delay and prescribe treatment.
Of course, the cycle can recover on its own if the delay was caused by stress or acclimatization.
But, if this does not happen, and the delay is 15 or more days, then this may be due to the following reasons:
Oligomenorrhea, which is characterized by a weakening of menstruation. They are becoming not only scarce, but also rare. The interval can be from 15 days to six months. This pathology occurs in about 3% of women.
Polycystic ovary syndrome, when multiple cystic formations begin to grow inside and outside them. It occurs in both young girls and older women.
Endometriosis can delay the menstrual cycle.
Endometritis, which is expressed in inflammation of the mucous layer of the uterus.
Hypoplasia of the uterus, that is, its underdevelopment. Pathology is detected in adolescence.
Inflammation of the appendages, localized in the ovaries and tubes. Reduced immunity, viral infections, hypothermia, penetration of bacteria, etc. can lead to a pathological process.
Naturally, these are not all the reasons that can lead to a delay of 15 days or more, but they are the most common and require treatment without fail. Provoke the absence of the next menstruation can be injuries resulting from abortions, malnutrition, cancer, appendicitis, uterine fibroids, maturation of the follicle without ovulation, atresia of the immature follicle and other factors. In any case, such a long break in the cycle requires an immediate appeal to the gynecologist.
Reasons for missed periods after age 40
After a woman crosses the line of 40 years, she begins the natural process of fading of the menstrual function. The ovaries produce hormones in a smaller amount, cycles without ovulation can be observed 1-2 times a year, which causes a delay. In addition, menstruation becomes irregular, short-term, scarce.
Although worldwide data indicate that the decline of fertility should occur after age 45, this age often declines. This “rejuvenation” of menopause is due to the fact that most women by this age have chronic diseases that are aggravated by frequent stress, viral infections, hard work, previous abortions, etc.
A woman aged 40 years and older who seeks medical help can hear the following diagnoses that are very common for this age category:
Delayed menstruation due to psychological stress. Moreover, at this age, there are even more reasons for increased nervous tension than in youth: the problems of grown children, the exacerbation of chronic diseases, the natural aging process, etc. At 40, any stress is much more difficult to endure than at 20.
Heavy physical exertion, overwork. Often it is at this age that a breakdown occurs, but despite this fact, a woman continues to work at the same pace, and sometimes even more. This affects the state of the body as a whole and increases the likelihood of a delay.
Any chronic diseases, among the most common: urolithiasis, cirrhosis, pathologies of the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems, gastritis, heart attack, celiac disease, etc. All disorders in the body can cause a malfunction in the functioning of the ovaries.
Severe course of any colds: acute respiratory infections, influenza, bronchitis, SARS, etc.
Endocrine pathologies: thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus.
Increased body weight, which is observed in most women over 40 years of age. Thinness can also be a causal delay, however, at this age, women do not suffer from anorexia as often as from obesity.
Alimentary causes caused by imbalance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, lack of vitamins, microelements supplied with food.
Any major life change. Delays may appear against the background of the fact that adaptive and adaptive mechanisms work much worse with age. Even a short trip to the sea can have an effect.
Taking medications, the number of which increases significantly as a woman ages. Any drug can provoke a delay, but most often at this age it is observed against the background of taking antipsychotropic drugs, drugs to get rid of endometriosis – Zoladex, Diferelin, Buserelin, and also due to the use of Duphaston, Lanazol, Methyldopa, etc.
Any diseases of the reproductive system, for example, polycystic ovaries, benign and malignant tumors, vaginal colpitis, etc.
Given these factors, a woman should seek the advice of a specialist if the delays become regular and exceed the physically acceptable limits of 5 days.
What are the dangers of constant delays in menstruation?
If a single delay in menstruation within physiologically acceptable limits is not a threat to a woman’s health, then regular failures are fraught with danger. It lies in the fact that the cause that caused the delay will not be diagnosed and eliminated in time.
It is important to seek medical help for frequent cycle disorders, as:
The delay may be caused by the growth of a microadenoma, a malignant brain tumor. Cycle disorders are caused by an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood.
Inflammation of the uterus and appendages can cause not only delays, but also lead to anovular infertility, the formation of a purulent process, sepsis, pelvic thrombophlebitis, parametritis. In addition, depletion of the follicular apparatus due to regular delays due to inflammation of the appendages often leads to an early menopause, at the age of 35 and younger.
Any neglected female diseases threaten the development of complete infertility, and they can begin with the usual delays in menstruation.
Polystosis of the ovaries, often manifested in delayed menstruation, can lead to the development of gestational diabetes, obesity and arterial hypertension. As a result, the entire cardiovascular system suffers, up to blockage of the veins, heart attack and stroke.
Any hormonal disruption not only disrupts a woman’s well-being, but also causes miscarriages, uterine fibroids, is fraught with the development of asthma, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and malignant cancerous tumors. In addition, in addition to delaying menstruation, hormonal disorders significantly impair a woman’s quality of life (pain in the joints, mammary glands, sleep is disturbed, sweating increases, etc.) and lead to changes in her appearance (obesity or thinness, underdevelopment of the mammary glands, increased body hair growth, oily skin and acne, etc.).
Early menopause leads to premature aging of the skin, weakening of the body’s immune forces, the development of atherosclerosis, premature extinction of reproductive function, an increased risk of developing diabetes, etc.
Due to the fact that regular violations of the menstrual cycle can cause serious health problems, women must definitely consult a gynecologist and other necessary examinations to determine the cause of the failure.
[Video] Obstetrician-gynecologist, mammologist-oncologist Alina Aleksandrovna Aksenova will talk in detail about the consequences of the absence of menstruation, and what needs to be done to return them: