
Switching to the night shift or traveling to another time zone may prevent your menstrual cycle from starting. If you are experiencing prolonged stress, your body can induce amenorrhea and will prevent menstruation.

Stress activates the hormone cortisol and pushes your body into survival mode. StressĪ little stress in your life is fine, but chronic stress can throw your body out of balance. Many athletes experience secondary amenorrhea, meaning they don’t have a period for six months or longer, from rigorous training. Working exercise into your schedule on a daily basis is great, but excessive exercising could lead to lower levels of estrogen, which is the hormone that regulates the female reproductive process. If you suspect this might be an issue for you, see your health care provider right away. Common health problems linked to weight and irregular menstruation include eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, and uncontrolled diabetes. Whether you’re overweight or underweight, any change in pounds can affect your monthly cycle. After a few months, your monthly period should be right back on track. Referred to as lactational amenorrhea, this is a phase that disrupts the rhythm of your menstrual cycle. Your period may not make an appearance after your baby is born, but don’t be alarmed! If you are breastfeeding your little one, a lack of periods is completely normal.

While being pregnant is a possible reason for a missed period, there may be factors related to your health or lifestyle that are causing the delay, notes Shelley White-Corey, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing and a women’s health nurse practitioner.

Panic then takes over as your mind shoots straight to pregnancy. “When was my last period?” you think as you try to remember the last time you needed to reach for that box. During your usual morning routine, you open your cabinet, spot a box of tampons in the back, and you suddenly realize you’re late.
