If you don't get your period, it may not only be due to pregnancy. Amenorrhoea can also be caused by a number of other factors, from stress to illness.
Below we explain what these are and when you should go to the doctor because of your missed period.
Missed periods - the most important facts at a glance
- If you don't have your period, this is called amenorrhoea.
- Possible causes of amenorrhoea include pregnancy, illness or stress.
- A visit to your gynaecologist is usually a good idea if you are not menstruating.
- Treatment can vary depending on the reason for the missed period.
What is amenorrhoea?
Amenorrhoea is the medical term for a missed period. Of course, this is perfectly normal for pregnant and breastfeeding women and for women who have gone through the menopause. However, periods can also be missed due to illness, hormonal imbalances or stress.
If a girl has not had her first period by the age of 16, this is called primary amenorrhoea. On the other hand, if women with a previously normal menstrual cycle miss their periods for more than three months, this is called secondary amenorrhoea.
Possible causes of missed periods
The female cycle is controlled by various hormones, such as oestrogen. Both the duration of the period and the length of the cycle can vary within a certain range. However, periods can also stop for various reasons. Often, disorders in the interaction of the individual hormones are responsible for amenorrhoea in women. Apart from this, there are various other possible triggers, some of which can be serious diseases.
Causes of primary amenorrhoea
Girls usually have their first period between the ages of 11 and 14. Some adolescents get their periods a little earlier and others a little later.
However, if the first period does not come until the age of 16, this is called primary amenorrhoea. In many cases, there are congenital reasons for this.
For example, there may be malformations of the genitals or the ovaries of the young woman may not respond to the hormonal signals sent by the brain.
Causes of primary amenorrhoea
Girls usually have their first period between the ages of 11 and 14. Some adolescents get their periods a little earlier and others a little later.
However, if the first period does not come until the age of 16, this is called primary amenorrhoea. In many cases, there are congenital reasons for this.
For example, there may be malformations of the genitals or the ovaries of the young woman may not respond to the hormonal signals sent out by the brain.
Other possible triggers of primary amenorrhoea are, for example:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroid disease
- Autoimmune diseases
Causes of secondary amenorrhoea
Secondary amenorrhoea can also have different triggers. For example, heavy stress, high physical strain in competitive athletes, or a severe loss of weight in a very short time, or being underweight in general, are often responsible for the absence of periods.
Menstruation can also be missed due to the following hormonal disorders and diseases, among others:
- hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Benign and malignant tumours
- Lack of ovulation due to polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Implantation of a fertilised egg outside the uterus
- Inflammation of the brain
- Damage to the lining of the uterus
- Chronic renal failure
- Disorders of the ovaries, which can be caused by operations or cysts, for example
Premature onset of the menopause
In addition, certain medicines can also cause periods to stop. These include cortisone, psychotropic drugs and hormone preparations. In addition, when you stop taking some contraceptives, you may not get your period for a while. This is not unusual, especially with the so-called three-month injection, while discontinuation of the contraceptive pill results in amenorrhoea comparatively rarely.
When is a missed period a case for the gynaecologist?
If you don't get your period, it is strongly recommended that you make an appointment with your gynaecologist.
A visit to your gynaecologist is particularly important in the following situations:
- Three missed periods in a row
- No periods after stopping hormonal contraceptives
- Missed periods after taking a new medicine
- Young women who have not had a menarche at the age of 16
- If pregnancy is possible
- Lack of menstruation after a surgical procedure
Apart from that, you should also contact your gynaecologist if you have any other complaints, such as pain in the chest, in the lower abdomen or during sexual intercourse, or if you notice symptoms such as hair loss.
Diagnosing the cause of missed periods
To find out the cause of a missed period, you will usually need to have several tests. First of all, a medical history is taken to find out, among other things, when you last had your period, whether you could be pregnant, and if there are any other symptoms.
Following this, gynaecological examinations will be carried out. In addition, a measurement of your hormone levels can help to determine the cause of your amenorrhoea.
Depending on the reason for your lack of menstruation, various other examinations, such as a laparoscopy or diagnostic imaging, may be necessary before a final diagnosis can be made.
How are missed periods treated?
In view of the many different triggers that can be responsible for missed periods, it probably goes without saying that the treatment can be very different.
If your amenorrhoea is caused by psychological problems or high levels of stress, autogenic training, meditation exercises and regular, moderate exercise can help you to relax and gradually bring your cycle back to normal.
If, on the other hand, you have lost a lot of weight in a short period of time or are generally underweight, it is important that you eat normally again and gain a little weight so that your hormone balance is restored. If you suffer from an eating disorder, we strongly recommend that you seek professional advice, not only because of your missed periods.
If your amenorrhoea is caused by a medical condition, you may need to take hormone supplements, medication or an operation to treat it.
Missed periods - our conclusion
As you can see, there can be many reasons why you don't get your period. There is not always immediate cause for concern. However, it is usually a good idea to contact your gynaecologist as soon as possible so that she can find out what is causing the amenorrhoea and treat it professionally if necessary.
If you have not had your period due to pregnancy, we congratulate you and wish you all the best. If you have light spotting, which is common at the beginning of pregnancy, you might like to try our sustainable menstrual underwear. Our menstrual underwear offers you first-class comfort and reliable protection at the same time, so you can feel completely safe in everyday life.
