Causes and Solutions for Menstrual Delay

Every woman with a healthy hormonal balance and physiology has regular menstruation from puberty to menopause. The menstruation period, also known as menstruation, occurs between every 21 to 35 days.

On average, bleeding occurs every 28 days, but the amount and duration vary from person to person. While some women have very regular periods, others experience early or delayed menstruation.

Menstrual delay in the first few menstruation periods at the beginning of puberty and at the onset of menopause is considered normal. These periods, where hormones have not yet stabilized, are considered transitional periods, and it may take time for the body to adjust to this new system.

Considering the normal menstrual cycle, a delay of 7 days or more in a woman’s period may indicate pregnancy or another health problem.

In women, menstrual delay, except for pregnancy, refers to the occurrence of each menstrual period at different intervals.

In other words, while the delay of 2 to 3 periods within a year is considered normal, a prolonged menstrual delay may indicate an abnormal situation. Before answering the question of what menstrual delay is, it is important to understand how the menstruation period occurs.

How Does Menstruation Occur?

For menstruation to occur at regular intervals, the hypothalamus in the brain must stimulate the pituitary gland. As a result, the pituitary gland releases FSH and LH hormones.

As these hormones enter the bloodstream, the follicles in the ovarian reserve are stimulated, and the egg maturation and ovulation process begins. The follicle, also known as the sac containing the egg or the corpus luteum, secretes estrogen, which thickens the uterine lining and prepares it for a possible pregnancy.

If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen production decreases, and progesterone production increases. As the hormonal balance changes, the uterine lining sheds and returns to its previous state. Thus, menstruation occurs. For regular menstrual cycles, all these systems must work together in harmony.

What is Menstrual Delay?

While menstruation typically occurs every 28 days, it can occur regularly between 21 and 35 days for some women. This condition, which varies from person to person, is considered within normal limits.

Except for pregnancy, a delay of 7 days or more in menstruation can be an important symptom of a health issue. Therefore, a 3-day delay in menstruation is considered normal, but a 15-day delay, other than pregnancy, is considered abnormal.

Symptoms of Menstrual Delay

Experiencing menstrual delay 2 to 3 times a year is considered normal. However, if there is a delay of 2 months in menstruation, except for the beginning of puberty and menopause, it is definitely not considered normal.

In such a case, one should consult a specialist doctor. Symptoms of menstrual delay are limited to the delay in the menstrual period itself. Here, it is common to encounter questions such as how many days of menstrual delay are normal or what is the maximum number of days for menstrual delay.

Considering the person’s normal cycle, a 7-day delay in menstruation, in the absence of pregnancy, is not considered normal. The question of how many days of menstrual delay are normal is also a frequently asked question by doctors, and it can be answered that menstrual delays of up to 7 days are normal during the reproductive years.

What Are the Causes of Menstrual Delay?

While pregnancy is the primary cause of menstrual delay, many different situations can lead to it. Below are the causes of menstrual delay:

• Pregnancy: Women with an active sex life and who have unprotected intercourse may experience menstrual delay due to pregnancy.
• Low Weight: Weight loss due to eating disorders can lead to hormonal changes, preventing ovulation, which may disrupt the menstrual cycle.
• Overweight: Obesity can cause hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities in addition to various other health problems.
• Stress: Intense stress is one of the factors that can disrupt hormone secretion and balance. The disruption of the hormonal structure necessary for a regular menstrual cycle can lead to a delay.
• Birth Control Pills: Any form of birth control, such as pills, injections, or intrauterine implants, can cause menstrual delays.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Cysts on the ovaries can negatively affect ovulation physiology. It may make ovulation unstable or completely stop it, causing hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities.
• Thyroid Issues: Either overactive or underactive thyroid can lead to menstrual delays.
• Chronic Diseases: Diseases like diabetes and celiac disease, which affect hormonal balance, can cause weight loss or obesity, disrupting the menstrual cycle.
• Onset of Menopause: Menstruation completely ceases at the end of the reproductive years, but at the onset of menopause, periods may be early or delayed.
• Breastfeeding: Menstrual irregularities can occur during the breastfeeding period after childbirth. The menstrual cycle returns to normal after breastfeeding is completed.

Solutions for Menstrual Delay

Before discussing the solutions for menstrual delay, it is important to understand the causes. Menstrual delay is considered normal during puberty, menopause, pregnancy, and breastfeeding periods. Therefore, during these times, menstrual delay can be considered normal.

However, for menstrual delays during the reproductive period, underlying causes should be investigated by consulting a specialist doctor.

Causes and solutions for menstrual delay should be examined together. For example, being overweight may cause menstrual delays, and for a person with obesity, the solution to the question “what should be done for menstrual delay” may be to lose weight. For stress-related menstrual delays, the solution may involve reducing work stress, doing breathing exercises to reduce anxiety, or seeking therapy. Solutions for menstrual delay should be applied under the advice and supervision of a doctor.

How Many Days Can Menstrual Delay Last?

While some women have a menstrual cycle every 21 days, others may experience it every 35 days. Before answering the question of how many days menstrual delay lasts, one must first know how often the person has their period.

Menstrual bleeding that occurs by the 7th day after the expected date is considered normal. For example, if a person regularly has their period every 28 days, but experiences a delay on the 36th day or later, then a delay in menstruation can be discussed. However, if there is a 10-day delay despite regular periods, the causes of the delay should be investigated by a specialist doctor.

Effect of Menstrual Delay on Pregnancy

The 4th and 5th days before menstruation are ideal for egg fertilization. Therefore, having regular periods is crucial for women planning pregnancy. Irregular periods can cause the ovulation period to be missed, reducing the chances of pregnancy.