Why doesn't my period lower? 7 reasons that explain it

Each month we count the days for the arrival of menstruation. Sometimes with resignation and others with the desire to confirm that we are not going to get pregnant without looking for it. But what to do when the date has passed and your period has not yet come?

Fear not: if your period doesn't drop when you expected, it doesn't necessarily have to be due to pregnancy. They are many the reasons that can explain a delay in menstruation and we explain them to you in this article.

• Related article: "Everything you need to know about PMS”

Up to how many days can menstruation be delayed?

Menstruation usually appears in regular 28-day cycles, but it is not always exact and can vary greatly for various reasons. Even if you have irregular periods, the usual is that menstruation occurs between days 28 and 35, so do not hurry if you are still on those days and you have not had your period.

If this is not your case, you may be suffering from a delay or amenorrhea, which is the absence of menstrual periods. As we will explain later, there are many causes that can exist after the absence of menstruation, beyond a pregnancy. However, this is usually the first that comes to mind, especially if it is unwanted.

If you have recently had unprotected sex, the chances of being pregnant are very high, so it is advisable to take a test. If, on the other hand, you have had protective relationships, you should know that contraceptive methods are reliable, but they do not always ensure 100% protection or accidents can occur.

If you have taken the test and are not pregnant, there have not been any problems with the contraceptives or you have not had sexual intercourse in the last months, there would be other reasons that would explain a delay or absence of a period. We explain them below.

Other reasons that explain why your period does not drop

There are many causes that can be behind an amenorrhea or absence of menstruation beyond a possible pregnancy.

1. Stress, anxiety, or emotional tension

One of the reasons why your period does not drop could be due to stress or to be experiencing moments of emotional tension. Stress, nerves or having suffered an emotional blow can affect us both psychologically and physically. Being under tension can alter our hormones and produce changes in our menstrual cycles, which would produce delays in menstruation.

And it is not necessary to be suffering from stress or emotional disturbance. The simple fact of being nervous in case the period is delayed can contribute to a delay in appearing. That is why we must not advance events and we must remain calm in this situation, since that as we will see next, there may be many other reasons that explain why you do not lower the rule.

• Related article "8 infallible techniques to avoid stress”

2. Bad nutrition

Another of the most common reasons that can be behind a delay in the rule is a change in diet. A good diet will be key to maintaining a proper hormonal balance, so having an unbalanced diet can produce changes that include a delay in your menstrual period.

Poor diet can also cause stomach problems, such as intestinal inflammations, which affect the regularity of our menstrual cycle and would explain a possible delay or amenorrhea.

3. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalances can also be one of the reasons why your period doesn't drop. These can occur naturally due to changes in your body, for example if you are in adolescence, or due to the use of products that can alter your hormones.

In the latter case, it is worth highlighting the use of hormonal contraceptives, such as contraceptive pills or subcutaneous implants, which can alter our cycle and cause a delay in menstruation.

4. Ovarian problems

There are a series of diseases or alterations in the ovaries that can cause amenorrhea or hormonal imbalances that alter your periods.

One of the most common is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is not a serious disorder, but it can produce many alterations in your menstruation, alternating periods of excessive bleeding with others in which it does not occur. Other problems such as endometriosis, diseases of the uterus or even infections such as candidiasis can lead to alterations in your menstrual cycle and delays.

If you detect irregularities in your menstrual cyclesYou should consult with your doctor to rule out any of these conditions that may be causing it.

5. Changes in weight

Sudden changes in weight, either from sudden loss or gain, can also disrupt your hormones and affect your menstrual cycle. One of the consequences of anorexia or bulimia is the decrease in the production of hormones, thus causing amenorrhea. Diets that are too strict can also affect your period and cause delays.

6. Intense physical activity

Sports or high-performance physical activity is another possible cause of a delayed menstrual period. Strenuous physical activity carried out for long periods of time decreases the production of estrogens, which do not allow menstrual bleeding to occur during that month.

7. Menopause

In women over 40 years of age they may appear periods of non-ovulation, in which bleeding does not occur. These are irregular cycles that can occur as symptoms leading up to menopause. Therefore, if you are over that age, this may explain the delay in the appearance of your menstruation.

8. Lactation

Women who are breastfeeding, especially in the first 6 months, secrete the hormone prolactin, which interferes with production of hormones that allow menstruation. Therefore, if you have just given birth and are breastfeeding, the delay is most likely due to amenorrhea due to this hormonal adjustment.

9. Thyroid problems

Another reason why your period does not drop may be due to a problem with the thyroid gland, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. This gland located in the neck can affect your menstrual cycle if you have any imbalance.

Some of the symptoms that indicate the existence of an alteration in the thyroid gland are fatigue, trouble concentrating, lumpy or lumpy neck, weight changes or constipation. In this case, it is also advisable to visit your doctor.

10. Medication

The use of some medications can also cause delays in the menstrual cycle or amenorrhea. Either because they are very aggressive treatments or because they directly affect your hormones, these can be the cause of your period not coming down. Check with your doctor about side effects, especially if it is a new medication.