Menstruation, periods, chums, menses, the scarlet wave, or ‘that time of the month’, it has many names. Period gives us women a serious headache, literally and metaphorically. From period cramps, nausea, headaches and cravings are something that every girl faces right up to her 50s, to having to break out head over buying the right product and food. Periods are no joke! Most women have a period every 28 days or so, but it’s common to have a slightly shorter or longer cycle than this (from 21 to 40 days). Some women do not always have a regular menstrual cycle. Here is your 101 guide for all your period-related doubts. Quickly follow these steps on how to delay period naturally and enjoy your trips without worrying. Their period may be early or late, and how long it lasts and how heavy it is may vary each time. If you are worried about missing your period, then read further and get the answer to all your questions by an expert!
TC46 connected with Dr Aarthi Bharat, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Bengaluru to explain the various reasons for missing your periods, guidelines about when to visit a doctor and some natural remedies to help the period come naturally.
1. A period later than 6 weeks is a missed period
A period is considered as missed when you do not receive periods on an average day that you generally have it. One can consider a period to be missed when six weeks have passed, and one has not gotten her periods. A period is late when it is 5 to 6 days later than usual.
2. 10 possible reasons you may have missed your period
- Thyroid: Thyroid can really throw your periods out of whack, as this thyroid produces
many hormones. And the regularity of periods is also affected by the hormone levels in the body.
- Excessive exercise: Suddenly exercising too much can also impact your menstrual cycle. You may see spots, irregular bleeding, or completely absent periods. So, have a balance and do not overdo anything.
- Medications: New medications can impact the body in different ways and having absent or late periods is one impact of the new medication. Medications such as blood pressure pills, anti-depressants, and even antibiotics may impact your menses.
- Stress: It has come to light that stress also plays a role in delaying periods. Stress releases a particular hormone that may end up constraining ovulation in the body. Stop stressing out and try yoga for irregular period, Now.
- Obese/Overweight: Being overweight plays a big role in one’s periods of being absent or irregular. Obese women carrying extra fat cells may have an impact on estrogen levels.
- PCOS/PCOD: This is one of the most common reasons why a woman experiences irregularities in the menstrual cycle. This is a condition where a woman has more follicles in the ovary and is caused due to imbalance in the hormones.
- Change in schedules: Sudden change in routine can affect your menstrual cycle hence the body gets acclimatized to that situation, the body impacts the menstrual cycle indirectly.
- Underweight: Being underweight can also cause absent or delayed periods. It is not healthy to be too lean.
- TB/Diabetes: Tuberculosis and diabetes may also cause a woman to see irregular periods.
- Perimenopause: This is the time when one is transitioning from being procreative to being non-procreative. In this time your periods may be erratic, and one may see abnormal bleeding.
3. Visit your doctor when you haven’t got your period for more than 6 weeks
One needs to worry about missed periods when it has been more than 6 weeks since one got her periods. If one is not sexually active and has still missed their period, then there might be some medical condition that needs to be looked at and needs to be seen by a gynaecologist. Here are the answers to some of the most common menstruation questions.
4. Your cycle will continue 3-4 days after stopping your birth control pills
It has been said that after stopping the pill, your periods will come back after 3 to 4 days. However, if one has not gotten periods after 15 days of stopping the pill then one should get checked for any underlying medical conditions.
5. Natural remedies to get regular periods
Elders in the family-like nani and dadi, recommend these home remedies to help the period come naturally. These remedies are recognized and have been followed by many to get regular periods and maintain menstrual health. Although there is no such proof or concrete evidence that these remedies really help.
- Raw Papaya: Raw papaya (not a ripe one) relieves cramps and soothes the uterine walls.
- Powdery Turmeric: This helps in regulating menstrual cycles and has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities.
- Sugarcane Juice: Drinking sugarcane juice a week before or two weeks from your menstruation cycle helps in preponing the periods. It relieves constipation, enhances fertility, and helps women with difficult periods.
- Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds can be consumed to induce your period, but they should only be eaten in balance as they produce a lot of heat in the body.