Know the reasons in your cycle change that may save your life!

It is normal for girls to have period delays or skips. But do you know that sometimes it can be an indication of your overall health? That’s why paying attention to periods, especially when sudden and lasting changes occur, is very important.

Part 1: You missed a month but you’re sure you’re not pregnant:

If you had regular and punctual periods before, then you suddenly missed a month, don’t panic. Sometimes, stress and weight loss
(or gain) are a huge factor in temporary cycleinterruption. Once those stop, your period should also be back on track again. If your period doesn’t go back to its normal schedule without those factors then it’s time for you to see a doctor.

Possible reasons why you’re missing your period:

1. High Prolactin Levels
Prolactin is a hormone that can decrease the production of estrogen, which can prevent ovulation. If you’re not ovulating, then your period frequency can decrease, or worse, they may stop altogether. Elevated prolactin levels may mean that there’s an existing noncancerous pituitary tumor. A growth on the hormone producing glands and pituitary can cause the gland to secrete more prolactin. The tumor can be treated under certain medical procedures but if it’s left unchecked, it may also cause frequent headaches and loss of peripheral vision.

2. Extreme Weight Loss
If your BMI reachs below 18, it can affect your estrogen production, thus affecting your ovulation. Here is a formula in getting your BMI:

[Weight (Lbs)÷Height (in)2] x 704.5 =BMI

NOTE: The normal range of BMI is from 18 to 22, anything below 18 is considered underweight. I’m not sure what imweight means and I couldn’t find a definition on the internet so I changed it to underweight. Anything over 30 is considered obese. Applicable only for adults.

3. Amenorreah
This is the absence of periods, or very slight periods (oligomenorrhoea) that can decrease your bone density now, which may cause osteoporosis later on. Its causes can be: pregnancy, menopause, pills, anorexia nervosa, anemia, tuberculosis, anxiety and congenital abnormalities of the genital organs. The complication this may lead to is infertility.

4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Extra pounds may cause your periods to change. But sometimes, weight gain is not just a matter of eating excessively; it may also be caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This happens to one in every ten women. Women with PCOS can also experience infertility, acne and/or excessive hair growth. If left untreated, this may lead to diabetes or even endometrial cancer.

If your period doesn’t return to normal after 3 months, it is very important for you to see a doctor. Because if you’re not having your period and the lining of your uterus is continuously building, abnormal cells may develop. Abnormal cells can accumulate without the protective effects of ovulation. If these build up in your uterus and are left untreated, they may lead to uterine cancer.