1. Reasons why you are missing your periods without being pregnant

Ladies, what’s the first thought that comes to your mind when you miss your periods? Am I pregnant? Right?

According to experts, the first thing that most women think when they miss their period is if they are pregnant. But allow us to break the news to you, not every missed period means you are pregnant. This could be disappointing for some but happy news for many.

So, before you run to a medical shop to buy the pregnancy test kit, here are six other reasons why your period’s cycle might be off.

2. You are on birth control

Most people think that taking birth control will lead to more regular periods, but women who take extended-cycle birth control pills do not experience a typical 28-day cycle. Some contraceptives delay the time between periods. Some other types of birth control like IUDs can also cause late or irregular period.

3. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Women who have PCOS have additional follicles, which makes the process take longer than the normal. Because no released egg means no periods. Some other PCOS symptoms include an increased level of testosterone levels and weight gain.

4. Stress

Stress can cause havoc with your hormones, which in turn can affect the duration between two menstrual cycles. Change in hormones can also affect the part of the brain that is responsible for regulating periods – hypothalamus. Stress can also lead to weight gain or weight loss, which can also impact your menstrual cycle.

5. Lower body weight

Women with eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia nervosa might experience missed periods. Weighing 10 per cent less than the ideal weight can change the way body functions and the dates of ovulation. Putting on some weight and getting back to normal can help you get back your cycle to normal. Sometimes extreme sports can also lead to missed periods, though no study has proven the same.

6. Perimenopause

The average at which women experience menopause is 51 but there are many who start getting delayed periods in their late 40s. If you are under 45 years of age and your periods stops completely, you might be going through early menopause or are experiencing premature ovarian failure.

7. Diabetes or thyroid

Diabetes and thyroid can be associated with absent or late periods. Thyroid can make your periods light, heavy or even irregular. It can even stop your periods for several months, it’s called amenorrhea.