It is not uncommon for some women to experience missed or late menstrual period, even when pregnancy test is negative. Though a late menstrual flow can be upsetting, especially when a woman is used to having regular periods, it is usually not a cause for alarm.

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Here are 8 reasons why a woman might have a late period

8 Possible Causes of a Late Period
Weight loss
A woman can miss her period or her period can be late if she engages in intense exercise or experiences severe weight loss. The levels of reproductive hormone can be affected by a low body-fat ratio. This in turn affects menstruation and ovulation. Consult your doctor if you have missed period(s) after losing considerable weight so that the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients will be recommended to you.

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Birth control
A missed menstrual period can also be caused by birth control. Hormonal birth control provides a form of estrogen combined with progesterone for a specific amount of time, followed by several hormone-free days. The withdrawal of these hormones triggers a period.

These hormones tends to make the lining of the uterus so thin that there is not enough of the lining to shed that will trigger a period to occur. This applies to all forms of hormonal birth control, including pills, implants, patches, shots, and rings. Consult your doctor if you have any issues about your birth control method.

Stress
Stressful activities can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. Some women experience more painful menstrual cramps when undergoing stress. Avoid activities or circumstances that causes stress. Getting regular exercise can help eliminate stress and maintain a regular menstrual cycle.

Perimenopause
Menopuase begins when a woman hasn’t had her period for at least 12 months. The average menopausal age is around 50-52 years. However, some women experience symptoms as early as 10 to 15 years before menopause, a stage known as perimenopause. Irregular estrogen levels can make a woman’s menstrual cycle to become irregular.

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Obesity
Being overweight or obese can also affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. Obesity and missed periods can mean a woman has an underlying medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so it is vital for a woman to be correctly diagnosed by a doctor. You may undergo blood tests or an ultrasound to examine the ovaries to ensure there are no underlying medical conditions responsible for the missed periods.

PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal disorders among women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS appear to have abnormal hormone levels which can cause formation of small cysts on the ovaries, excess facial and body hair, acne, male-pattern baldness, and obesity. Irregular or missed periods is commonly associated with PCOS. Consult your doctor for examination if you suspect you have PCOS. If left unchecked or untreated, absence of periods can lead to endometrial cancer.

Pregnancy
It is possible for women to miss their periods due to pregnancy, even if they are on contraception. Women can still get pregnant even if they correctly use birth control. No forms of birth control that are 100 percent effective if preventing pregnancy. Anyone who is pregnant should seek prenatal healthcare right away after getting a positive pregnancy test. Women should consult their doctor if they experience missed or late periods with negative pregnancy test.

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Hormonal conditions
A woman’s period can be late or missed due to imbalance of prolactin or thyroid hormones. A blood test can be used to detect hormonal imbalance that is responsible for a missed or late period.

The cause of these hormonal imbalances needs to be examined by a doctor. Some hormonal imbalances are hereditary. In most cases, periods can be returned back to normal by the use of prescribed medications.


Sources: http://healthdiary365.com/eight-possible-causes-of-a-late-or-missed-menstrual-period/