Other than pregnancy, why would I not get my period?
July 11, 2017 11:36 AM Subscribe
Its late, and I'm wondering why. Have tested twice, both negative. I have had my tubes tied. Why, other than pregnancy would I not get my period? I'm in my early 40s if that helps. Tubes were tied 18 months ago after the birth of my second child.
I have googled and not found much insight, would appreciate any anecdata or data you may have.
I have googled and not found much insight, would appreciate any anecdata or data you may have.
The beginnings of menopause?
posted by Carol Anne at 11:38 AM on July 11, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by Carol Anne at 11:38 AM on July 11, 2017 [16 favorites]
Yup, it's unusual but not super-rare to start menopause in your late 30s.
posted by Melismata at 11:39 AM on July 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 11:39 AM on July 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
are you generally regular? how late are you? have you been ill or under unusual stress lately? any big changes in life, medications? it is certainly possible that you are experiencing peri-menopause, which can make your cycle more unpredictable. a hormone level test can determine that.
posted by supermedusa at 11:40 AM on July 11, 2017
posted by supermedusa at 11:40 AM on July 11, 2017
Early 40s and stress are definitely possibilities. I started having some signs of perimenopause when I was about 42.
Also, note that if you're very, very, very early in the game, the hormone level tests may be inconclusive.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:46 AM on July 11, 2017
Also, note that if you're very, very, very early in the game, the hormone level tests may be inconclusive.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:46 AM on July 11, 2017
I'm 41 and I'm pretty sure I've been at the beginnings of menopause for a while now. My daughter just turned three so I feel like I got my kids in right under the wire!
posted by amro at 11:47 AM on July 11, 2017
posted by amro at 11:47 AM on July 11, 2017
Anemia? I was quite anemic, started taking iron supplements (on advice of doctor) and my period re-appeared
posted by Ftsqg at 12:02 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by Ftsqg at 12:02 PM on July 11, 2017
How late? It might be just an abnormally long cycle. I also missed one recently during the incubation period of a (not terrible serious) viral illness that I got from my kid.
posted by vunder at 12:05 PM on July 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by vunder at 12:05 PM on July 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
My doctor said it's usually one of these three: menopause/perimenopause, antidepressants, thyroid/hormones. Mine ended up being the latter and I wish I had investigated it sooner. If you feel like something's not right, ask for check of all of your hormone levels.
posted by dawkins_7 at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by dawkins_7 at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2017
44 here - I skip a month maybe twice a year. My OBGYN says it happens at this age and for me not to be concerned.
posted by kimberussell at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by kimberussell at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2017
Stress, perimenopause, pituitary issue, thyroid issue, medication issues. At your age (which is also my age,) I would assume perimenopause to be the most likely reason. Things start to get weird after 40.
posted by headspace at 12:17 PM on July 11, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by headspace at 12:17 PM on July 11, 2017 [5 favorites]
> anecdata
I'm a tad older than you and this is not at all unusual among my peers. We all figure it's perimenopause.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:57 PM on July 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm a tad older than you and this is not at all unusual among my peers. We all figure it's perimenopause.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:57 PM on July 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
Did you recently start exercising more strenuously? Or did you lose or gain a lot of weight?
I remember my periods started getting wacky in my early forties and I was all through menopause at 47.
If you're feeling fine otherwise don't worry about it too much.
posted by mareli at 1:02 PM on July 11, 2017
I remember my periods started getting wacky in my early forties and I was all through menopause at 47.
If you're feeling fine otherwise don't worry about it too much.
posted by mareli at 1:02 PM on July 11, 2017
When I am off birth control, I will often get a late or missed period when I'm super stressed or have a major disruption to my routine (i.e. major travel, moving, etc.). It has never caused a health problem or anything, I think your hormones can just get a little out of whack when they're not being regulated with a pill/etc.
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:20 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:20 PM on July 11, 2017
My period stopped because I had a prolactinoma. It was diagnosed by blood test after I saw an OBGYN, and addressed with cabergoline.
posted by neushoorn at 1:41 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by neushoorn at 1:41 PM on July 11, 2017
Stress caused my period to be 5-6 days late for a couple months.
posted by ramenopres at 8:53 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by ramenopres at 8:53 PM on July 11, 2017
Vitamins and prescription medications can mess up your period too.
posted by 1smartcookie at 11:42 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by 1smartcookie at 11:42 PM on July 11, 2017
My body doesn't have periods when my body fat level sinks too low. I've heard that's a very common thing.
posted by jitterbug perfume at 12:13 AM on July 12, 2017
posted by jitterbug perfume at 12:13 AM on July 12, 2017
A doctor told me that women generally go through menopause around the same age that their moms do. If you know that bit of data, it may be a clue. Although my mom was through it at 44 and I'm three years older and still getting my gosh darn period.
posted by bendy at 1:30 AM on July 12, 2017
posted by bendy at 1:30 AM on July 12, 2017
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posted by raccoon409 at 11:37 AM on July 11, 2017 [1 favorite]