So You Missed a Period. . .
Some of the most terrifying words in the English language are, “I think I’m late.”
First. Take a pregnancy test. If you have a uterus and have had sex anywhere in the memorable past, just take a test. The cheap test at the pharmacy is the same as the one we give you at a doctor’s office. . . so give yourself the peace of mind and just take the freaking test.
Typical patient response “I missed my period, freaked out, and made an appointment. I didn’t take a test because I was too scared. And I wanted to make sure I took a reliable test here in the office.” Straight up, the tests at Dollar Tree, or on Amazon are fine.
So the pregnancy test was negative. *Deep Sigh of Relief* So what now? Why might you have missed your cycle?
New medications. Many medications (including birth control, SSRIs, etc.) can affect your menstrual cycle and cause it to be irregular for a few months. Starting, stopping, or not effectively taking your prescribed birth control method can change your menses as well.
Weight gain OR weight loss greater than 10 pounds. (Intentional or Unintentional)
Change to diet and exercise. Started training for a marathon? Vastly changed your diet from Standard American to Vegan, Vegetarian, Carnivore, etc.??
Changes in sleep pattern. (Moving from day to night shift, interrupted sleep, lack of sleep, sleeping a lot more throughout the day).
STRESS. Stress is one of the most common causes of missed periods and irregular menses. I cannot count the amount of times I have heard, “This is the worst time for me to be pregnant. I just started grad school. I’m working. I just moved here. How could this happen?” . . . and then the pregnancy test is negative. Your body is not a stupid thing. It is aware of this intense stress you’re going through and has said, “SHUT IT DOWN!” and you missed a period.
I hope this has been helpful and a few of you have breathed a large sigh of relief. If none of these scenarios sound like you, it’s time to see your healthcare provider. You may need some bloodwork or imaging to determine the true cause of your missed period. Good luck my friends!
**If you are reading this in the time of COVID, COVID vaccines have been found to make your period irregular for a few months after administration.
