common reasons your period can be delayed even if you’re not pregnant

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🧠 1. Stress and Emotional Factors • High stress increases cortisol, which interferes with the hormones controlling your menstrual cycle (FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone). • Emotional trauma, overwork, or anxiety can delay ovulation or stop it entirely for a cycle. ⸻ ⚖️ 2. Weight Changes • Rapid weight loss (especially below healthy BMI) decreases estrogen levels, stopping ovulation. • Weight gain or obesity can increase estrogen, causing hormonal imbalance and irregular periods. • Eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia can also stop menstruation. ⸻ 🏃‍♀️ 3. Excessive Exercise • Intense exercise (especially endurance training or low-calorie intake) can suppress ovulation. • Common in athletes and dancers (“athletic amenorrhea”). ⸻ 🩸 4. Hormonal Imbalances • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Irregular or missed periods due to elevated androgens and delayed ovulation. • Thyroid disorders: • Hypothyroidism → delays or stops periods. • Hyperthyroidism → may shorten or lighten them. • High prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia): suppress ovulation and delay periods. ⸻ 💊 5. Medications and Contraceptives • Birth control pills or stopping them recently. • Emergency contraception (morning-after pill) can delay the next period. • Certain medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, or chemotherapy drugs can interfere with hormones. ⸻ 🌙 6. Perimenopause or Menopause • Starting in late 30s–40s, estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate, leading to missed or delayed cycles. ⸻ 🤒 7. Illness or Infection • Acute illness (flu, COVID-19, etc.) can stress the body temporarily. • Chronic illnesses like diabetes or celiac disease can also affect cycles. ⸻ 🧬 8. Reproductive or Uterine Conditions • Ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids may alter the normal cycle. • Asherman’s syndrome (uterine scarring after surgery or infection). ⸻ ✈️ 9. Lifestyle and Environmental Factors • Jet lag or significant time zone changes. • Shift work or irregular sleep patterns. • Poor diet or vitamin D / iron deficiency