There are several reasons why menstruation can come late, other than pregnancy reasons. The common reasons can be imbalanced hormone levels in the body to serious health problems. Most women have a menstrual cycle every 28 days. Even so, a long menstrual cycle is also normal as long as it is in the range of 21-40 days. If you haven't experienced menopause symptoms but you are already experiencing disruptions in your menstrual cycle, the following reasons below may be the cause :
1. Too Much Stress
Too much stress can change your hormones and your daily routine, and even affects the part of your brain that is responsible for regulating your period (hypothalamus). Over time, stress can lead to illness or sudden weight gain or loss, all of this can affect your menstrual cycle. So, if you’re in this stressful condition, try to do some relaxation, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from a health professional.
2. Low Body Weight
People with eating disorders who can’t meet their daily nutritional needs are likely to experience irregular menstrual cycles. An example is anorexia nervosa which is a condition where a person has a very low body weight, an excessive fear of gaining weight, and also a false perception about weight. Low body weight causes the body not to have sufficient fat levels for the ovulation process in the menstrual cycle. Implementing an extreme diet with the goal of losing too much weight in a short time can also cause an irregular menstrual cycle.
3. Overweight
Just like being underweight, being overweight or obese can also affect hormone production in the body, which can cause an irregular menstrual cycle. Obesity pushes the body to produce an overabundance of estrogen, which is an important hormone in the menstrual cycle. If you want to lose weight to the ideal weight, avoid extreme diet programs.
4. Taking Birth Control Pills
Birth Control Pills (BCPs) contain the estrogen and progestin hormones which prevent female reproductive organs from releasing eggs. It can take up to 3 months for your cycle to become normal and consistent again after you stop taking the pills.
5. Chronic diseases
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and celiac disease, can also affect the menstrual cycle. Even though it’s a rare case, changes in blood sugar can affect your hormonal balance, which can cause an irregular menstrual cycle. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which individuals with certain genetic compositions experience damage to the small intestine when they eat gluten. The inflammation of the small intestine can prevent the body from absorbing the nutrients it needs. Chronic diseases that can make the irregular menstrual cycle are not limited to diabetes and celiac disease.
If you experience irregular menstrual cycles or your missed period is not due to pregnancy reasons, don't hesitate to contact your doctor immediately to get the required examination. Keeping a record of your monthly menstrual cycle is one of the steps you can take to monitor your body's health. Don't forget to read other health articles only on Fitie!
Source: DiGiacinto, J. (2022). Why Is My Period Late? 8 Possible Reasons. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/why-is-my-period-late