Missed Periods: Causes, Risks, and What to Do Next

When your period doesn’t come, it’s not just about pregnancy. A missed period, the absence of menstrual bleeding when expected. Also known as amenorrhea, it’s often a signal your body is out of balance. This isn’t always a sign of something serious—but it’s never something to ignore. Many women assume a missed period means they’re pregnant, and while that’s true in some cases, it’s not the whole story. Hormonal imbalances, stress, extreme weight changes, or even a simple vitamin deficiency can throw off your cycle. Your body doesn’t send out period reminders—it sends signals, and a missed period is one of the loudest.

One of the most common hidden causes is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder affecting up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It’s not just about irregular periods—it’s also linked to weight gain, acne, and excess hair growth. Then there’s the thyroid disorder, a condition where your thyroid gland produces too much or too little hormone. Both underactive and overactive thyroids can stop your period. Even something as simple as too much caffeine or not enough sleep can mess with your hormones enough to delay your cycle. And don’t forget: intense exercise, eating disorders, or long-term stress can shut down ovulation completely. These aren’t rare edge cases—they’re everyday realities for women who think they’re just "having a bad month."

What you do next matters. If you’re sexually active and your period is late, a home pregnancy test is the first step. But if it’s negative and your period still doesn’t return after two or three months, it’s time to look deeper. Blood tests for hormones like estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and TSH can uncover what’s really going on. You don’t need to wait until you’re desperate—tracking your cycle, noting symptoms like fatigue or mood swings, and talking to your doctor early can save you months of guesswork.

The posts below cover real cases, real science, and real solutions. You’ll find guides on how medications like SSRIs and warfarin can affect your cycle, how supplements like selenium and vitamin C influence hormone balance, and how conditions like autoimmune disorders and thyroid disease show up in unexpected ways—including missed periods. Whether you’re trying to get pregnant, avoiding it, or just want your body to feel normal again, these articles give you the facts—not the fluff. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just what you need to know to take the next step.