You Have Not Had a Period for Three Months
Period Problems
It is quite common to miss a period or two at some point in your life but if they restart again there is no cause for concern. However, if periods have stopped for more than three months you should consider having a check up with a doctor.
Pregnancy
Most women will have symptoms such as nausea and breast tenderness within one or two weeks of missing a period but not everyone does. If you are at risk of pregnancy, then have a pregnancy test. These can be bought in any pharmacy or done in a doctor’s clinic. Most tests can accurately diagnose pregnancy very shortly after a missed period but to be absolutely certain wait at least five days after expected date of the period before taking a test.
Stress
Stress causes you to produce a stress hormone (called prolactin) in the pituitary gland in the brain. This affects the ovary and stops ovulation which causes periods to stop or be unpredictable. Prolactin can be measured on a blood test. Long haul travel, doing exams, over exercising and changes in weight all cause stress to the system. Much less common is a high prolactin level caused by a nodule on the pituitary gland. If this is suspected an MRI scan is ordered to check the pituitary gland and we would refer you to an endocrinologist.
Being Overweight
Being overweight and particularly being obese alters the normal hormonal balance between oestrogen and testosterone and can cause periods to stop or be unpredictable
Hormonal contraception
Most women taking the normal oestrogen/ progestogen contraceptive pills have regular light periods every month but some women find that they have no bleeding while taking these pills. This is completely reversible when the pills are stopped so medically they are safe to continue taking them. Women taking progestogen – only pills, commonly known as “Mini pills” often have no bleeding for several months at a time. This is safe and there is no need to stop taking the pills.
Intrauterine devices that contain progestogen such as Mirena, Kyleena, or Jaydess can also make periods very light or disappear completely – all completely safe and reversible.
Premature ovarian insufficiency
When the ovaries slow down and produce less oestrogen than normal before age 40.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Overactive thyroid gland
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland include:
- no or infrequent periods
- nervousness, anxiety and irritability.
- mood swings.
- difficulty sleeping.
- persistent tiredness and weakness.
- sensitivity to heat.
- swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
- an irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)
