If you miss your period what happens?

Missing a period can have a variety of causes, some of which are harmless and some of which are cause for concern. If you are concerned about your missed period, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation.

If you are pregnant, your period will stop because the hormone progesterone is released to maintain the pregnancy. Pregnancy is the most common reason for a missed period in women of reproductive age.

If you are not pregnant, there are many other possible causes for your missed period, including:

* Stress: Emotional stress can affect the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that controls the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland releases hormones that trigger ovulation, so stress can disrupt the ovulation cycle and lead to a missed period.

* Diet: Sudden weight gain or loss can disrupt the menstrual cycle.

* Exercise: Excessive exercise can suppress ovulation and lead to a missed period.

* Medications: Some medications, such as birth control pills, thyroid medication, and steroids, can affect the menstrual cycle.

* Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can affect the menstrual cycle.

* Perimenopause: The menstrual cycle can become irregular in the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause).

If you are concerned about your missed period, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation. Your doctor can perform tests to determine the cause of your missed period and recommend treatment if necessary.

In some cases, a missed period may not be cause for concern. For example, if you have recently started taking birth control pills, your period may be irregular for the first few months of use. If you are under a lot of stress, you may also miss a period. However, it is important to see a doctor if you have missed two or more periods in a row, especially if you are not pregnant.