There’s many reasons why a woman may miss her period, or why periods might stop altogether. Most women have a period every 28 days, but slightly shorter or longer cycles are common (from 21 to 40 days). See your GP if you've missed more than three periods in a row. There are a number of reasons why your periods can stop. The most common reasons are: Periods can also stop as a result of a long-term medical condition, such as: Pregnancy is a common
reason why periods unexpectedly stop. It can sometimes happen if the contraception you're using fails. It might be that your period is simply late, so you could wait a few days to see if it arrives. If it doesn't arrive, you can do a pregnancy test. It's
important to be aware that you can get pregnant in the days after your period is normally due. This can happen if the release of an egg (ovulation) is delayed. If you're stressed, your menstrual cycle can become longer or shorter, your periods may stop altogether, or they might become more painful. Try to avoid becoming stressed by making sure you have time to relax. Regular
exercise can help you relax. Breathing exercises can also help. If you're finding it hard to cope with stress, a talking therapy called, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be recommended. Sudden weight lossExcessive or sudden weight loss can cause your periods to stop. Severely restricting the amount of calories you eat stops the production of hormones needed for ovulation. Your GP may refer you to a dietitian if you're underweight, where you have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5. The dietitian will be able to advise you about how to regain weight safely. If your weight loss is caused by an eating disorder, such as anorexia, you'll be referred to a psychiatrist. Being overweight or obeseBeing overweight or obese can also affect your menstrual cycle. If you're overweight, your body may produce an excess amount of oestrogen, one of the hormones that regulate the reproductive system in women. The excess oestrogen can affect how often you have periods, and can also cause your periods to stop. Your GP may refer you to a dietitian if you have a BMI of 30 or more, and it's affecting your periods. The dietitian will be able to advise you about losing weight safely. Extreme over-exercisingThe stress that intense physical activity places on your body can affect the hormones responsible for your periods. Losing too much body fat through intense exercise can also stop you ovulating. You'll be advised to reduce your level of activity if excessive exercise has caused your periods to stop. If you're a professional athlete, you may benefit from seeing a doctor who specialises in sports medicine. Contraceptive pillYou might miss a period every so often if you're taking the contraceptive pill. This isn't usually a cause for concern. Some types of contraception, such as the progestogen-only pill, contraceptive injection and intrauterine system (IUS), can cause periods to stop. Your periods should return when you stop using them. MenopauseYou may start missing periods as you approach the menopause. This is because oestrogen levels will start to decrease, and ovulation will become less regular. After menopause, your periods will stop completely. The menopause is a natural part of the ageing process in women. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Around 1 in 100 women experience the menopause before the age of 40 (premature menopause or premature ovarian failure). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)Polycystic ovaries contain a lot of harmless follicles, which are underdeveloped sacs in which eggs develop. If you have PCOS, these sacs are often unable to release an egg, meaning ovulation doesn't take place. PCOS is thought to be very common and is responsible for as many as one in three cases of stopped periods. When to see your GPSee your GP if you're not pregnant – you've had a negative pregnancy test – and you've missed more than three periods in a row. If you're sexually active and you haven't taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one. They may also ask you about:
Your GP may recommend waiting to see whether your periods return on their own. In some cases you may need treatment for your periods to return. You should also see your GP if your periods stop before you're 45 or you're still bleeding when you're over 55. Referral to a specialistIf your GP thinks an underlying medical condition might have caused your periods to stop, they may refer you to a specialist. Depending on what your GP thinks is causing the problem, you may be referred to:
You may have a full gynaecological examination and various tests, including:
Treating underlying conditionsIf test results show an underlying medical condition has caused your periods to stop, you may be offered treatment for your condition. For example, if the cause is PCOS, you may be advised to take the contraceptive pill or tablets containing a hormone called progesterone. If the cause is early menopause (premature ovarian failure), this means the ovaries no longer function normally. Hormone medication is usually recommended. Treatments to try include the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). If you have an overactive thyroid gland, you may be given medication to stop your thyroid gland producing too many hormones.
More useful links
The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website. For further information see terms and conditions. Can you miss a period and not be pregnant?Periods can also sometimes stop as a result of a medical condition, such as heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, an overactive thyroid, or premature menopause.
Is it normal for someone to miss her periods?It is not uncommon to occasionally miss a period, or for periods to become irregular from time to time. Under some circumstances, periods can even stop altogether. Sometimes these irregularities are due to normal changes, and are not cause for concern.
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What does it mean if a woman misses her period
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