How can you tell if you’re pregnant before missing a period. What are the earliest signs of pregnancy to look out for. When should you take a pregnancy test if you suspect you might be pregnant.

Understanding Early Pregnancy Signs: What to Look For

Recognizing early signs of pregnancy can be challenging, as many symptoms mimic those of an approaching menstrual period. However, certain subtle changes in your body may indicate conception has occurred. Here are 13 potential early signs to be aware of:

1. Missed period
2. Spotting or light bleeding
3. Changes in cervical mucus
4. Mild cramping
5. Breast changes
6. Morning sickness or nausea
7. Elevated basal body temperature
8. Fatigue
9. Frequent urination
10. Food aversions or cravings
11. Mood swings
12. Bloating
13. Heightened sense of smell

It’s important to note that not all women will experience these symptoms, and their presence doesn’t guarantee pregnancy. The most reliable way to confirm pregnancy is through a home pregnancy test or a visit to your healthcare provider.

Missed Period: The Most Common Indicator of Pregnancy

A missed period is often the first sign that prompts women to consider the possibility of pregnancy. However, it’s crucial to understand that various factors can cause a delayed or missed period. These include:

• Stress
• Significant weight changes
• Hormonal imbalances
• Excessive exercise
• Certain medications
• Thyroid disorders

Is a missed period always indicative of pregnancy? Not necessarily. While it’s a strong indicator, it’s advisable to take a pregnancy test if your period is more than a week late and there’s a possibility of pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests are generally accurate when used correctly, especially if taken after the first day of your missed period.

Implantation Bleeding: An Early Sign Often Mistaken for a Period

Implantation bleeding is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, occurring when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This process typically happens 6-12 days after conception. How can you distinguish implantation bleeding from a regular period?

• Color: Implantation bleeding is usually light pink or brown, while period blood is often bright to dark red.
• Duration: It typically lasts only a day or two, unlike a period which can last 3-7 days.
• Flow: Implantation bleeding is generally much lighter than a normal period.
• Consistency: It may be more spotty or intermittent compared to the continuous flow of a period.

Not all women experience implantation bleeding, and its absence doesn’t rule out pregnancy. If you notice light spotting before your expected period, it could be a sign of early pregnancy.

Hormonal Changes: The Root Cause of Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Many early pregnancy symptoms are triggered by hormonal changes in the body. The primary hormones responsible for these changes are:

• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
• Progesterone
• Estrogen

How do these hormones affect your body in early pregnancy? hCG, often called the “pregnancy hormone,” is produced by the developing placenta and is responsible for maintaining the pregnancy. It can cause nausea and vomiting (morning sickness). Progesterone causes fatigue, breast tenderness, and mood swings. Estrogen contributes to nausea, increased sense of smell, and breast changes.

These hormonal fluctuations begin almost immediately after conception, which is why some women may notice subtle changes even before a missed period. However, the intensity of these symptoms can vary greatly from woman to woman and even between pregnancies in the same woman.

Breast Changes: A Common Early Indicator of Pregnancy

Breast changes are among the earliest and most common signs of pregnancy. These changes can occur as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. What specific changes might you notice in your breasts?

• Tenderness or soreness
• Swelling or feeling heavier
• Tingling sensation
• Darkening of the areolas
• More pronounced veins under the skin
• Enlargement of Montgomery’s tubercles (small bumps on the areolas)

These changes are caused by increased blood flow and hormonal shifts preparing your body for breastfeeding. While breast changes can also occur before menstruation, pregnancy-related changes tend to be more pronounced and persistent.

Can breast changes alone confirm pregnancy? While they are a strong indicator, especially when combined with other symptoms, a pregnancy test remains the most reliable method of confirmation. If you’re experiencing significant breast discomfort or notice any unusual lumps, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare provider.

Morning Sickness: Not Just a Morning Phenomenon

Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and sometimes vomiting, is a well-known pregnancy symptom. Despite its name, it can occur at any time of the day or night. When does morning sickness typically start?

For most women, morning sickness begins around 6 weeks into pregnancy, but it can start as early as 4 weeks. Some women may experience nausea even before missing a period. The severity and duration of morning sickness can vary greatly among women.

Coping with Morning Sickness

If you’re experiencing morning sickness, here are some strategies that may help:

• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
• Avoid strong odors and foods that trigger nausea
• Stay hydrated by sipping water or ginger tea
• Try eating bland foods like crackers or toast
• Get plenty of rest
• Consider wearing acupressure wristbands

Is severe morning sickness a cause for concern? While most cases of morning sickness are harmless, severe and persistent nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) can lead to dehydration and weight loss. If you’re unable to keep any food or liquids down, contact your healthcare provider.

Fatigue and Mood Swings: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Early Pregnancy

Extreme fatigue and mood swings are common experiences in early pregnancy. These symptoms can start as early as the first week after conception. Why do these changes occur?

The surge in progesterone levels during early pregnancy can make you feel exhausted. Your body is also working hard to support the developing fetus, which can contribute to fatigue. As for mood swings, the rapid hormonal changes can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to emotional ups and downs.

Managing Fatigue and Mood Swings

• Get plenty of rest and sleep when you can
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients
• Engage in light exercise, if approved by your doctor
• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or prenatal yoga
• Communicate your feelings with your partner or a trusted friend
• Consider joining a pregnancy support group

Are severe mood swings normal in early pregnancy? While some emotional fluctuations are common, persistent feelings of depression or anxiety should be discussed with your healthcare provider. They can provide support and resources to help manage these emotions effectively.

Frequent Urination: A Lesser-Known Early Pregnancy Sign

Increased frequency of urination is a symptom that can start quite early in pregnancy, sometimes even before a missed period. What causes this symptom in early pregnancy?

The primary reasons for frequent urination in early pregnancy are:

• Increased blood volume, which leads to more fluid being processed by the kidneys
• The pregnancy hormone hCG, which increases blood flow to the pelvic area
• The growing uterus beginning to put pressure on the bladder

Is frequent urination always a sign of pregnancy? Not necessarily. It can also be caused by urinary tract infections, diabetes, or excessive fluid intake. However, if accompanied by other early pregnancy symptoms, it could be an indicator of conception.

Managing Frequent Urination

While you can’t prevent the increased need to urinate during pregnancy, you can manage it by:

• Staying hydrated, but avoiding excessive fluid intake before bedtime
• Emptying your bladder completely when you use the bathroom
• Avoiding caffeine, which can increase urination
• Practicing Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles

When should you be concerned about frequent urination? If you experience pain or burning during urination, or notice blood in your urine, consult your healthcare provider as these could be signs of a urinary tract infection.

Food Aversions and Cravings: The Peculiar Palate of Pregnancy

Changes in food preferences, including sudden aversions or cravings, can be one of the more unusual early signs of pregnancy. These changes can occur within days of conception, even before a missed period. What causes these sudden shifts in taste?

The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to be related to hormonal changes, particularly the increase in hCG. Some theories suggest that food aversions may be a protective mechanism to help the mother avoid potentially harmful substances during pregnancy.

Common Food Aversions and Cravings

While every woman’s experience is unique, some common food aversions in early pregnancy include:

• Strong-smelling foods
• Spicy or fatty foods
• Coffee or tea
• Meat

Common pregnancy cravings often include:

• Fruit or fruit juices
• Dairy products
• Sweet or salty snacks
• Unusual food combinations

Are food cravings a reliable indicator of pregnancy? While they can be an early sign, they’re not a definitive indicator. Many women experience food cravings or aversions during their menstrual cycle as well. If you suspect you might be pregnant, a combination of symptoms and a pregnancy test are more reliable indicators.

Basal Body Temperature: A Subtle but Significant Clue

Basal body temperature (BBT) is your body’s temperature at rest. Tracking BBT can be a useful tool for women trying to conceive, as it can indicate ovulation and potentially early pregnancy. How does BBT change in early pregnancy?

Typically, BBT rises slightly after ovulation due to increased progesterone levels. If conception occurs, BBT remains elevated instead of dropping as it would before menstruation. This sustained elevation of BBT for 18 days or more can be an early sign of pregnancy.

Tracking Basal Body Temperature

To accurately track your BBT:

• Use a special basal body thermometer for accuracy
• Take your temperature at the same time each morning, before getting out of bed
• Record your temperature daily on a chart or app
• Look for a pattern over several cycles

Is BBT tracking a foolproof method of detecting early pregnancy? While it can be a helpful indicator, it’s not 100% reliable. Factors like illness, stress, or changes in sleep patterns can affect BBT. It’s best used in conjunction with other fertility awareness methods and confirmed with a pregnancy test.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test: Timing is Key

With all these potential early signs of pregnancy, you may be wondering when is the right time to take a pregnancy test. When can a pregnancy test detect pregnancy?

Most home pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy as early as the first day of a missed period. Some highly sensitive tests claim to detect pregnancy up to 5 days before a missed period. However, testing too early can lead to false negatives.

Factors Affecting Pregnancy Test Accuracy

• Timing of the test (in relation to conception and expected period)
• Time of day the test is taken (first morning urine is most concentrated)
• Sensitivity of the test
• Correct usage of the test
• Individual variations in hCG levels

For the most accurate results, it’s generally recommended to wait until at least the first day of your missed period before taking a home pregnancy test. If the test is negative but you still suspect pregnancy, wait a few days and test again.

When should you see a doctor to confirm pregnancy? If you’ve had a positive home pregnancy test, or if you’ve missed a period and are experiencing pregnancy symptoms, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can confirm the pregnancy and provide guidance for early prenatal care.

Thirteen Early Signs of Pregnancy Before Missed Period

Will All Women Experience Early Signs of Pregnancy? 

Every woman has their own experience with pregnancy, just as every woman experiences different symptoms of pregnancy before a missed period. You may not even realize you are pregnant right away due to early signs of pregnancy before a missed period being so similar to women’s experiences before and during menstruation. At University Park OBGYN, we put the care of our patients first, and part of our care is providing education about what we do. Here are some pregnancy symptoms before a missed period to look out for if you suspect you may be pregnant. 

Missed Period

One of the most well-known early signs of pregnancy is a missed period, and it is often the sign that leads a woman to take a pregnancy test. However, it is important to remember that periods can be late or missed without pregnancy as well. Stress, weight gain or loss, hormonal fluctuations, and fatigue are all additional possibilities contributing to a missed period. If pregnancy is a possibility for you and your period is late, we recommend taking a pregnancy test.  

Spotting

One of the earliest signs of pregnancy before missed period is spotting. The fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus upon conception, which causes spotting. This spotting is called implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding can occur between six to twelve days after an egg is fertilized. 

Cervical Mucus

In addition to spotting, you may notice a milky white discharge coming from the vagina, another one of the pregnancy symptoms before missed period. Right after conception, the vaginal walls begin to thicken, and the elevated growth of these cells lining your vagina causes the white discharge. This cervical mucus may continue throughout the entirety of your pregnancy, which is normal and healthy. If you begin to notice any discharge with a foul smell or discharge that comes with discomfort, notify your healthcare provider. You will need to rule out a bacterial or yeast infection.

Cramping

Another sign of pregnancy before your period is cramping. Similar to menstrual cramps, cramping from pregnancy may cause some discomfort, so many women mistake these cramps and the implantation bleeding as the beginning of their period.

Changes in the Breasts 

Breast changes are among the most common early signs of pregnancy. Because our hormones change rapidly after conception, this will cause breasts to feel full and become sore, swollen, tingly, and tender not long afterward. In addition to this symptom of pregnancy before period, your areolas, which is the area around the nipple, may get darker. Little bumps may appear on the areolas as well, signifying the glands that will lubricate your nipples for nursing. Many factors play into breast changes, but know that if these changes are caused by early pregnancy, it will take some time to adjust to the changes in your hormone levels. 

Morning Sickness

Not every pregnant woman experiences morning sickness, although it is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy before missed period. The fluctuation in hormones is most likely the main contributing factor in morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy. You may find yourself craving food you had never liked and also find yourself disgusted by something that might have been your favorite food to eat. You may even find yourself especially sensitive to smell. This is normal! Pregnancy symptoms before a missed period, such as morning sickness, could potentially stick around throughout the pregnancy, but most women find their symptoms alleviated within fourteen weeks. It is helpful to consult your doctor or a nutritionist to establish a healthy routine throughout your pregnancy.

Elevated Basal Body Temperature

An elevation in your body temperature, also known as your basal body temperature, can be an early signifier of pregnancy as well. Typically, the basal body temperature rises around ovulation as progesterone hormone levels rise and then drops when you begin your period. After conception, your basal body temperature will stay elevated from ovulation and throughout your pregnancy. If it has been over two weeks of consecutive days with a high temperature, you could be pregnant. Taking an at-home pregnancy test will best determine this. 

Fatigue

It is normal to feel extremely tired in your pregnancy from the start, as early as a week after conception. You may ask, why is this one of the early signs of pregnancy before missed period? The fatigue is caused by many factors, such as an increase in progesterone hormone levels, low blood sugar and pressure, and more. If you are pregnant and are experiencing fatigue, it is vital to get enough rest and sleep. You can help ease fatigue through diet by eating food that is plentiful in iron and protein. 

Mood Swings

Mood swings are another one of those familiar pregnancy symptoms before a missed period caused by the drastic fluctuation in hormones. Mood swings are especially common during the first trimester. 

Frequent Urination

Around two weeks after conception, you will experience the urge to urinate more frequently due to significant changes in your hormone levels. The kidneys start preparing themselves to filter out leftover waste in the blood from the baby as well. Your uterus begins to grow and pushes on the bladder, and coupled with rising progesterone levels, and it causes frequent urination. 

Constipation

The high levels of progesterone and imbalance in hormones can lead to constipation and bloating, trapping gas and stool in your intestines. This hormone slows down how your body and colon processes foods. With lifestyle alterations such as plenty of hydration, exercise, and a healthy, fiber-rich diet, you can resolve most cases of constipation quickly on your own. 

Dizziness and Fainting

When you are pregnant, your blood pressure and blood sugar levels may lower, causing dizziness and sometimes fainting. Hormones released during pregnancy relax the blood vessels, which in turn pump too little blood to the brain. Be sure to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy, nutrient-rich diet to assist with these symptoms. In addition to this, you can maintain better circulation by not standing for prolonged periods and practice getting up slowly from reclined or sitting positions.

Back Pain and Headaches 

Pregnant women have historically reported back pain and headaches, though this varies from person to person. The spine can become misaligned during pregnancy due to the increase in weight, and poor posture and pelvic changes can contribute to low back pain and headaches. Reducing stress, stretching the low back, using a warm compress, and correcting postural changes can prevent pain during your pregnancy. 

When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

For the most accurate results, it is best to wait two weeks after ovulation to take an at-home pregnancy test, even though you may feel early signs of pregnancy before your missed period. Home pregnancy tests measure hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). You can use an at-home test when the test can measure the hCG in your urine, which is usually not high enough to show up on a test until you are expecting your period. False negatives are common with at-home pregnancy tests, so check with your healthcare provider if your period still has yet to arrive. A blood test will be administered to confirm pregnancy results. 

On a Final Note

There is no way for certain to know you are expecting without a positive pregnancy test or blood test. We hope this list of early signs of pregnancy was informative, helpful, and addressed any concerns or questions you may have had about symptoms of pregnancy before your period. At University Park OBGYN, we are here to help guide you through your gynecological, prenatal, obstetric, and postpartum care. Visit our website today to book your first appointment!

11 early signs you’re pregnant, before a missed period

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Your menstrual cycle is your body’s monthly preparation for pregnancy — if you get pregnant, the lining in your uterus has a job to do and you won’t experience any typical menstrual bleeding. But while a missed period is many people’s first signal that they’re pregnant, it often isn’t the first clue your body gives you. 

In the first weeks of pregnancy (which technically starts the week of your last menstrual cycle, before you ovulate and before fertilization), the body starts producing a lot of hormones that can affect you physically and mentally. In addition to amping up its regular production of progesterone and estrogen, your body starts producing new ones, including human placental lactogen (aka hPL) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG — the hormone that a home pregnancy test detects).

While your body is in hormonal overdrive during early pregnancy, you may feel some (often not-so-fun) side effects. But if hormones are to blame, how do you tell if it’s PMS, ovulation symptoms or something else completely? Below, we outline some signals you might notice from your body during early pregnancy, before you even take a pregnancy test.

We know you’re wondering: Is it possible to be pregnant and still have a period? 

Nope, experts say. Some people may experience bleeding or spotting, but those are different bleeding patterns from the cyclical menses your body experiences in absence of a pregnancy. 

Dr. Michele Hakakha, an OB-GYN and author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, told Parents that people definitely can experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, but that “when they bleed, they are not having a ‘period.'” That’s because your body needs to reserve the uterine lining as nourishment for the growing pregnancy.

Although bleeding during pregnancy doesn’t always mean cause for concern, it can indicate something more serious like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. (If you’ve already confirmed your pregnancy and you’re experiencing bleeding or any pain, you should seek medical care.)

In the earliest stage of pregnancy, however, some very light bleeding is totally normal and leads us to our first pregnancy clue: implantation bleeding. 

Implantation bleeding usually doesn’t last more than a couple of days, and it’s much lighter than most people’s periods (not enough blood to fill a tampon or pad). 

Siriporn Kaenseeya/EyeEm/Getty Images

Spotting

Some people experience some light pink or dark brown spotting about 10-14 days after conception during what’s called “implantation bleeding.” This very light bleeding (not nearly enough to fill a tampon or pad) usually only lasts a few hours or up to two days, and it happens as the embryo attaches to the uterine wall. 

Implantation bleeding stops by itself and doesn’t require treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic, but because it happens around the time you might be expecting your period, some people may mistake it for a very light period.

Sore breasts

Rising levels of hormones in early pregnancy can cause your breasts to feel heavy or sore, and this can happen as early as a week or two after you conceive, or during weeks three and four of pregnancy, according to Healthline. For many people, this is one of the first pregnancy symptoms you’ll experience.

If you have breasts, you’re probably no stranger to the random aches and pains that sometimes comes with having them, notably the soreness that comes with premenstrual syndrome, which can also cause tender breasts as hormone levels change. Some people report breast pain during pregnancy as being a more “full” feeling, however, or more sensitivity in their nipples. 

A pregnancy test is the surefire way to determine if you’re pregnant, but other cues can alert you.

PeopleImages/Getty Images

Mood swings

Unexpected or unexplained bouts of anger, sadness, irritation, paranoia, guilt, glee and other emotions make up a common early pregnancy symptom: mood swings. 

“Estrogen and progesterone are skyrocketing at the beginning of your pregnancy,” Dr. Lucy Puryear, psychiatrist and author of Understanding Your Moods When You’re Expecting, told Parents. “The changes have big effects on your mood. You can be tearful one minute and happy the next.” 

While there are a variety of factors that can impact your mood, sudden changes might be a clue if you think there’s a chance of pregnancy.

Vaginal discharge 

Discharge is normal, but you may notice a lot more of it when you’re pregnant, even early on. This increase in healthy discharge or “leukorrhea” helps stop bacteria or infections from spreading from your vagina into your womb. Pregnancy shouldn’t change the color or smell of your discharge, though, so keep an eye out for infections. 

Cramps

Another symptom of the fun game “am I pregnant or is it PMS?” is cramping. During early pregnancy, increased blood flow to the uterus can cause pelvic pressure as your body prepares for the long-haul journey of pregnancy and childbirth. Your uterus, though you won’t be “showing” yet, also begins to stretch and expand to accommodate the increase in blood as well as the growing pregnancy. This can cause a “pulling” feeling on your abdomen, according to Healthline, and may mimic the cramps you experience before or during your period.

If your cramps are especially painful or located on one side of your body, however, this could indicate an ectopic pregnancy (when an embryo attaches outside the uterus, usually to a fallopian tube), which is a life-threatening condition for the pregnant person and requires emergency treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Some mild cramping during early pregnancy is normal, but it shouldn’t cause you severe pain.

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Fatigue

Feeling extremely tired is common throughout pregnancy, but you may notice it before your missed period because of high levels of progesterone, per the Cleveland Clinic. You may feel more energized during the second trimester, or feel your symptoms lessen altogether as your hormones begin to balance out during what some people call the “golden period.”

Frequent urination

Many of us have seen a movie or some sort of GIF where a heavily pregnant person rushes to the bathroom while the heavy weight of their growing belly pushes onto their bladder. But frequent urination is a symptom of early pregnancy, too, as an increased blood supply creates more work and waste for your kidneys, per the Cleveland Clinic. 

This waste leaves the body as urine, so if you haven’t missed your period yet but notice you’re making more inexplicable trips to the bathroom, it’s a sign you could be pregnant.

Headaches and dizziness

Your growing blood supply or rising hormone levels could be the culprit for another unpleasant pregnancy sign, dizziness and headaches. Expanding blood vessels may also cause migraines in some pregnant people, according to Stanford Children’s Health. 

Additionally, hunger and low levels of blood sugar can trigger headaches, and some pregnant people may experience sinus pressure because of increased congestion, which is the next early pregnancy symptom in this list.

Headaches and nasal congestion are common during the early stages of pregnancy.

Oscar Wong/Getty Images

Congestion

Post-nasal drip during pregnancy, or a collection of mucus in the back of your throat, is called pregnancy rhinitis. In addition to producing more hormones, more blood and more vaginal discharge during the early stages of pregnancy, your body also produces more mucus that can cause sinus pressure, congestion or other ear, nose and throat symptoms. Your body is now a powerhouse of bodily fluids. 

Great sense of smell

You can thank your hormones again for giving you an acute sense of smell, or an aversion to some smells, including food. According to research reported by Medical News Today, the majority of pregnant people experience a heightened sense of smell during the first trimester. You might notice this change in your nose before you notice a missed period. 

Many people suspect or find out they’re pregnant before they miss their period. 

Science Photo Library/Getty Images

Nausea

“Morning sickness,” or all-day sickness for some people, typically kicks in around week 6 through week 8 of pregnancy, which is when most people will have noticed their period is missing. But some can experience nausea even sooner, according to Parents. 

Once again, hormonal changes are thought to be the root cause of morning sickness, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes, morning sickness and vomiting can be so severe that it causes dehydration or requires medical treatment, referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum.

When should I test?

Home pregnancy tests can be very accurate (and they’re usually inexpensive), especially if you wait to test until after your period is officially late. Some tests claim to accurately detect pregnancy up to a week before your missed period, so if you’re experiencing some pregnancy symptoms and are champing at the bit, go for it.

You’re more likely to get an accurate test result if you wait until your period is late, according to the Mayo Clinic, because the hormone that’s detected in home pregnancy tests, hCG, doubles every two to three days after an embryo attaches to your uterus, meaning there’s more to detect in your urine if you wait a few days. 

Because this hormone can sometimes take a while to build up, false negative results aren’t uncommon in early pregnancy. It’s much more rare to get a false positive. If you get a positive test result, you are very likely pregnant, or experienced a recent pregnancy loss, and can confirm the pregnancy through a blood test or ultrasound.

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Does a Missed Period Mean You’re Pregnant?

When you don’t get your period as expected, you might start to worry. The absence of your normal menstrual cycle can be concerning since it can indicate a pregnancy or it may be related to an illness or stress. It is considered one of the major possible signs of early pregnancy.

People have different names for it such as a late period, skipping a cycle, or a missed period. In essence, it simply means that your normal menstrual cycle or period didn’t happen when it should have happened. Throughout your lifetime, you may have a missed period for a variety of reasons. It may also just be delayed.

Many women will go through various cycle abnormalities in their life due to various factors. This is not necessarily a problem for all women, but can also indicate a larger health concern for some. A missed cycle can also make trying to get pregnant or confirming early pregnancy more difficult for others.

A Positive Pregnancy Test: Now What?

Reasons for Missed Periods

There are many reasons why you may have missed your period. Some women miss periods regularly because they don’t ovulate regularly. You might also miss a period if you have a change in your sleep patterns, for example, or if you start working night shifts which can throw your cycles out of whack as your body learns to adjust to it.

You can also miss your period if your weight is too low. After a certain amount of body fat, you may not have the hormone production to sustain your periods. This is often true if you’re a very competitive athlete or suffer from disordered eating like anorexia or even bulimia.

Sometimes stress can be a reason that your period is missing. (Though there is nothing more stress-inducing than not having your period when you expect it!) This can usually be determined easily by a discussion with your doctor.

What to Do If You Miss Your Period

If you miss your period, you should wait at first. Give it a few days to make sure you didn’t miscalculate or do something to mix up the dates or that you aren’t simply late. Many practitioners at this point, may recommend a pregnancy test.

You can take a pregnancy test at home or your can go into your doctor’s office. If it’s positive, you have your answer: You missed your period because you were pregnant. If it is negative, you may want to wait a bit and try again.

Seeing your doctor if you are worried is never a bad option. If you are planning to get pregnant soon, you can use the visit to start your preconception health plan. This is a great way to get your body on track to be pregnant. This helps you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

If you are not ready to be pregnant, they can help you determine what your reproductive life plan may look like to stay healthy and avoid pregnancy until the point where you make a decision to have children or permanently decide to not have children.

How to know when you are pregnant

Early pregnancy symptoms

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it might be an early sign of pregnancy and a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

•      Late period
•      Extreme tiredness
•      Need to wee more often
•      Nausea
•      A metallic taste in your mouth
•      Sensitivity to smells
•      Tender or sore breasts.

Are you ready to conceive? Try our free tool to find out.

How do pregnancy tests work?

Pregnancy tests work by detecting one of the key early signs of pregnancy: a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). This hormone is only made when a woman is pregnant.

Traces of hCG can be found in the urine from three to four days after implantation, but the concentration needs to continue to build up to a level at which the test can detect it and give a positive result. The best time to take a pregnancy test is from the day that the period is missed. 

Where can I get a pregnancy test?

GP pregnancy test

These tests are either free or a small fee is charged.

You’ll need to take a sample of your urine in a clean container (you can get sample pots from your GP’s surgery). The best time to collect a urine sample is first thing in the morning. This is because levels of hCG will have built up overnight.

If the urine sample is tested on the spot, you probably will be given the result after just a few minutes. You may have to wait up to a few days for the pregnancy test results though.

Home pregnancy test

These tests are available to buy from chemists or supermarkets and enable you to find out if you are pregnant in private after a few minutes.

The tests are considered to be quite accurate, although it is essential that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Choose a kit that you think will be easy for you to use and make sure that you understand what mark or symbol will appear if the test is positive.

Find out more about taking a pregnancy test.

How accurate is the pregnancy test?

It is important to know that whilst a positive result is likely to be accurate, a negative result may be misleading. Some women have a negative result and test again a week later to find that it is positive.

This is due to the levels of pregnancy hormone gradually building up to a level at which they can be detected. If you test yourself very early on and you have a negative result, you should carry out another test in 2-3 days’ time if you have still not had a period.

If you continue to get negative results and still no period, you should consult your doctor.

What should I do if I am pregnant?

Once you get a positive pregnancy test, make an appointment to see your doctor or a midwife.

Tell the doctor’s surgery when you are making the appointment that you have had a positive pregnancy test result as you might need a longer appointment.

Why Do I Have Period Symptoms But No Period?

Whether you’ve been tracking your period for years or are just starting to pay attention to the nuances of your menstrual cycle, one of the biggest clues that your period is headed your way is the slew of period symptoms that can feel like they are taking over your life. Over 90 percent of women say they get some premenstrual symptoms, which can range in intensity from mild to severe and often include headaches, fatigue, cramps, moodiness, insomnia, and tender breasts.

But what happens when your period symptoms flare up, you’ve got your tampons ready to go, and then no period shows up? The reflex reaction for most women is to think that they must be pregnant. Even if you haven’t had sex in weeks, it’s easy to go straight to that thought.

While it can be alarming if you weren’t planning on having a baby, pregnancy is only one of the possible reasons that you could be having period symptoms but no blood. If you are pregnant, implantation occurs at roughly the same time your period would come normally. The symptoms? Almost identical to those you have right before you get your period. It can seem like a cruel joke, but the similarities are just your body’s way of processing fluctuating hormone levels.

But before you run to the store for a box of pregnancy tests, call your mom and your best friend, and figure out how you’re supposed to have a successful career and a baby (it can be done!), explore what else could be happening in your body. There are several reasons that periods go rogue.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, and is a disorder that causes hormonal imbalances. If you have PCOS, your ovaries produce more androgen (called a “male hormone,” even though females produce it too) than normal. Coupled with possible clusters of small, fluid-filled cysts on your ovaries, these high levels of androgens affect the release of eggs during ovulation and can make your period go MIA. If you think you might have PCOS, it’s important to talk to your doctor. While there aren’t any cures, a proper diet and fitness routine can ease some of the symptoms.

Other possible signs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Abnormal periods, excessive hair growth, and rapid weight gain.

Anemia

Iron deficiency, or anemia, is common in women of reproductive age. This is often due to not consuming enough iron, heavy periods (ironically, since a side effect of anemia can be no period at all), or an inability to absorb iron properly. If your body doesn’t have enough iron, it can shut down your menstruation process.

Other possible signs of anemia: Fatigue, dizziness, headache, and irritability.

Physical or Psychological Stress

Though some stress can help you challenge yourself, too much can have a negative impact on your health. While we don’t know much about the relationship between stress and periods, we do know the hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland, which controls the thyroid, adrenal glands, and ovaries. All of these factors work together to manage the hormones that affect your menstrual cycle—estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.

Stress can throw your hormone levels off and, as a result, leave you with period symptoms but no period. If you’re feeling stressed, take some time to learn coping mechanisms, rest, and reset your body and mind.

Other possible signs of stress: Fatigue, change in libido, upset stomach, insomnia.

Nutritional Imbalance

Too much junk food, caffeine, and alcohol can do more than just tempt you to miss your cycling class. It can also wreak havoc on your reproductive system. Experiencing period symptoms but no blood can happen when your hormones become imbalanced. This imbalance can be due to a poor diet, excessive caffeine consumption, or heavy drinking. Gaining weight or losing weight can be attributed to a lack of proper nutrition, which can also affect your menstrual cycle. To make sure you’re getting the nutrition your body needs to function properly, make sure you’re eating plenty of vegetables, healthy fats, and whole carbohydrates.

Other possible signs of a nutritional imbalance: Unusual food cravings, constipation, sleepiness, poor concentration.

Rigorous Exercise

Naturally, women carry more fat than men do. While it can seem unfair, this fat is necessary to help regulate your hormones and support your reproductive system. An intense exercise program may throw your hormones off balance and cause you to miss your period. Unless you’re exercising too much and not getting enough nutrition, this is likely just temporary. Once your body adjusts to your new lifestyle, your period should return.

Other possible signs of too much exercise: Irritability, low energy, early onset muscle fatigue.

Birth Control

Whether you’re on the pill, have an IUD, or have chosen another form of birth control, the hormones present are very likely to affect your menstrual cycle—at least temporarily. With all birth control, there is a period of time where your body works to acclimate to the new hormones. This can happen for several months, causing you to miss periods while still having period symptoms. You may also miss your period is if you skip the sugar pill or are on seasonal birth control.

Other possible signs that birth control is causing your missed period: Extended use of birth control, changing contraception, and stopping birth control.

There are many reasons why you could be experiencing cramps, fatigue, cravings, and other period symptoms but no actual period present. Most of these causes are temporary and can be fixed with some simple lifestyle changes like eating healthier, allowing time for your body to adjust to new workout routines and contraception, and easing the stress in your life. It’s important to note that if you have any concerns about your missed period or if you don’t menstruate for a few months in a row, you should always talk to your doctor.

Featured image by Averie Woodard

25 Causes For Period Cramps But No Period, According To Ob-Gyns

You’ve been seriously bloated, moody, and tired—and you’ve got monster period cramps…but no period. In other words, you’re suffering from all of the classic period symptoms but your actual period is totally MIA.

First: don’t freak. There’s a laundry list of reasons (and some are really no big deal) behind why those tell-tale menstrual cramps are plaguing you, but there’s no menstruation along with ’em.

“Hormonal changes related to ovulation can affect some of the same pathways in your brain that might be affected by other medical conditions, causing mood swings that feel similar to your period but aren’t related to ovulation or menses,” says Chailee Moss, MD, an ob-gyn at Johns Hopkins Medicine. What’s more, some physical abnormalities in your uterus and ovaries can also cause cramping that feels like typical symptoms of PMS, she adds.

The thing is, because there are so many different reasons behind cramps with no period, you should never be shy about bringing them up with your doctor if you’re concerned. (It’s always wise to be your own health advocate!)

But it’s helpful to get familiar with the possible causes, so keep reading for a comprehensive list to help you narrow down what might be fueling your cramps.

1. Anovulation

Every once in a while, your body goes through all of the hormonal changes associated with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) but doesn’t actually release an egg that month. This is known as an anovulatory cycle. And if you do not release an egg during a cycle, you won’t actually get your period (but you could still get the cramps).

Anovulation is more common than you might think: “Ten to 18 percent of all regular cycles are anovulatory,” says Chicago-based ob-gyn Jessica Shepherd, MD. An anovulatory cycle can happen randomly on occasion, or it may be related to another issue, like nutrition, body weight, or you’re getting close to menopause.

While skipping a period every now and then is usually nothing to worry about, if you have a fever, significant nausea or vomiting, or pain that you can’t control with simple OTC medications or that doesn’t improve within a week, check in with your doctor right away.

Otherwise, it’s also time to see your doc if you skip more than three cycles in a row, says Dr. Shepherd.

2. Pregnancy

If you’ve had unprotected sex in the last month, were a bit lax about taking your pill, or rely on the pullout method for birth control, it’s worth taking a pregnancy test. Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy—including breast tenderness, mood swings, fatigue, and (you guess it) cramping—mimic the symptoms you typically have before and during your period.

3. Thyroid conditions

Your thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, regulates many of your body’s functions, including your metabolism and menstrual cycle. If your thyroid gets out of whack, your cycles can become irregular, says Dr. Shepherd. As a result, you may you go a long stretch without having your period while still experiencing period-like cramps, adds Dr. Moss.

Because your thyroid regulates your brain function, mood swings that you thought were part of PMS may be related to your neurologic function, she explains. And spotting or cramping may occur because the lining of your uterus has built up but hasn’t shed because you’re not ovulating.

It’s common for thyroid conditions to be misdiagnosed or to have a delay in diagnosis, especially among certain minority populations, explains Yasmin Akhunji, MD, an endocrinologist with Paloma Health. “Conditions like hyperthyroidism, or Grave’s disease, if it is caused by autoimmune factors, is more prevalent in Black and Asian communities in the U.S., especially among females,” says Dr. Akhunji, who points to this 2016 study.

Hyperthyroidism, where the body produces too much thyroid hormones and can cause increased anxiety, insomnia, and tremors, affects Black women twice as much as white women. “Asian and Pacific Islander-identifying women had a 78 percent increased risk of Grave’s disease compared to white women,” adds Dr. Akhunji. The opposite condition, hypothyroidism, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, characterized by a slower metabolism, fatigue, hair loss, and in some cases, weight gain, tends to be more common in white women.

Be sure to check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing other symptoms of a thyroid condition, including sudden unexplained weight loss or gain, shaking, heart palpitations, or significant fatigue.

4. Hormonal birth control

One very common side effect of hormonal IUDs is skipped periods. That’s because one of the ways the device prevents pregnancy is by thinning out the endometrial lining in your uterus so there’s nothing to shed come that time of the month.

And, while they don’t typically nix your flow altogether, birth control pills can result in super-light flows or spotting. So you might feel period symptoms, like cramps and breast tenderness, even without a heavy, full-blown period, says Dr. Shepherd.

5. Stress

Stress is a surprisingly common reason for missing your period. “Stress increases your cortisol levels, which affects your hormone balance,” says Dr. Shepherd—including the hormones that regulate your ovaries and uterine lining. But, you still might feel crampy.

Exams, deaths, certainly the coronavirus pandemic, the current news cycle, and even breakups are all big-time stress-inducing events that can cause periods to go awry. But even more subtle things, like juggling a ton at work, can fuel chronic stress that affects your mind and body, even though you may not realize it.

“Some people don’t realize they’re so stressed, but once they talk about it they realize they are going through something,” says Dr. Shepherd. If you think stress is messing with your periods, talk to your doctor. Therapy, exercise, yoga, and meditation can all help get your stress under control and your periods back on track.

6. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Frequent skipped periods can be caused by PCOS. “PCOS is a condition in which a patient has an excess of androgens, which are chemicals in the body that affect ovary function, hair growth, weight gain, and sensitivity to insulin,” says Dr. Moss.

PCOS can result in anovulatory cycles and irregular spotting. It commonly causes cysts to grow on the ovaries, which, if they rupture or cause the ovary to twist, can cause pelvic pain that feels a lot like period cramps.

Up to 20 percent of women are affected by PCOS.

Up to 20 percent of women worldwide are affected by PCOS, and it’s more common among women who are overweight or have a mom or sister with the condition, Dr. Moss says. It’s not necessarily more prevalent in any one racial or ethnic group, but the symptoms might present differently between certain communities.

For example, one 2017 study found that Latinx people tend to have more severe PCOS symptoms, including hair loss on the scalp, unwanted hair growth elsewhere, and acne. Black individuals with PCOS might have a greater risk of developing heart disease, too, Dr. Akhunji says. In addition, medical racism is often at play; people of color might not have access to quality care to evaluate hormonal conditions like PCOS, and health care providers might not take BIPOC individuals’ health concerns seriously, Dr. Akhunji adds.

If you think you might be suffering from PCOS, check in with your doctor. While there is no cure, birth control and other medications can help manage symptoms and get your periods back on track.

7. Uterine polyps

You might associate polyps with your colon, but the same small benign tumors can grow in your uterus. “It’s an overgrowth of lining of the uterus,” says Dr. Moss. Polyps in your uterus can cause cramping and period-like discomfort, even when you’re not on your period.

Because polyps can make it harder to get pregnant, and because there is a small risk they may develop into uterine cancer down the line, your doctor will likely want to remove them, most often with a relatively simple procedure known as a hysteroscopy. During a hysteroscopy, a doctor inserts a long tube up through the vagina and into the uterus. The doctor is able to use the scope to both see and cut out the polyps.

8. Ovarian cysts

Every month, your ovaries make several cysts in preparation for ovulation, but only one cyst releases an egg. Although the others usually dissipate on their own by the time you get your period, sometimes one cyst (or more) sticks around.

Cysts can also occur if you have an anovulatory cycle (such as with PCOS). Ovarian cysts often cause no symptoms at all, although they can sometimes trigger period-like pain when you’re not on your period. So if you’re experiencing irregular cramping, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor.

“Cysts in and of themselves aren’t usually a problem,” says Dr. Moss. “But if they get particularly large, they can cause the ovary to twist—a.k.a. an ovarian torsion—which is painful and requires an emergency procedure to save your ovary.”

9. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Cramping is a common symptom of PID, which is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries that typically occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria spread from your vagina to your reproductive organs.

“Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are the typical culprits of this serious pelvic infection that can lead to pelvic pain and infertility,” says Sherry A. Ross, MD, an ob-gyn and author of She-ology. “Make sure you’re getting regular STI checks between new sexual partners to ensure you are not a carrier of damaging STIs.”

10. Urinary tract infections (UTI)

One common symptom of a UTI is pelvic cramping, Dr. Ross says. “Other symptoms include frequency, urgency, and pain and burning with urination, as well as bleeding with urination.”

If you think your cramps might be associated with a UTI, head to your ob-gyn or primary care physician ASAP; left untreated, a UTI could turn into life-threatening kidney infection.

11. Mittelschmerz

If you’ve got PMS-like cramping, bloating, and breast tenderness but no period, one reason may be that it’s not *quite* time for your period yet—but it’s coming.

German for “middle pain,” mittelschmerz happens about half-way through your menstrual cycle—around day 14 when you ovulate, says Nicole Scott, MD, an ob-gyn at IU Health. It’s a totally normal experience—affecting about 20 percent of women—and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong, she says.

Since it’s just your ovaries doing their thing, there’s not much you can do to prevent it and the symptoms should go away within a day or two. But if you’re cramping or feeling discomfort that is extremely painful or comes with any sign of infection, call your doc, Dr. Scott adds.

12. Exercising too much

Hitting the gym on the regular is one of the best things you can do to help deal with PMS symptoms. However, working out too hard or too often can actually mess up your cycle, and in some cases make you miss your period all together, Dr. Scott says.

All that physical stress, especially if you lose a lot of body fat, can make your period go AWOL and cause abnormal fluctuations in your hormone levels. These fluctuations can cause moodiness, irregular spotting, acne, and other PMS-like symptoms (i.e., cramping with no actual period).

As mentioned, if you miss your period for three cycles or more in a row, talk to your doctor.

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13. Certain sex positions

It’s ironic that something so pleasurable can also lead to pain. But, “Experiencing cramping or pain after sex is completely normal,” says Dr. Ross.

Why is that? “Some sexual positions are known to be anatomically harder on the vagina and female organs including the uterus and ovaries,” she explains. “For example, doggie style allows deeper penetration but can cause discomfort for many women, while missionary position tends to be easier and more comfortable for women.” Experiment with your partner to figure out which positions are best for your body.

14. Interstitial cystitis

This painful bladder syndrome, which affects women more often than men, can also cause cramping in the lower abdominal area, Dr. Ross says.

Also known as painful bladder syndrome, other symptoms of interstitial cystitis are similar to a urinary tract infection, including pelvic pain, pain between the vagina and anus in women, pain during intercourse, and a continual strong urge to urinate. The exact causes of this condition aren’t known, but it may be associated with a defect in the protective lining (epithelium) of the bladder, an autoimmune reaction, infection, or allergy. It may also be hereditary.

15. A miscarriage

Miscarriages are much more common than you might think—every pregnant woman has a 25 percent chance of having a miscarriage, says Dr. Ross. Signs of a miscarriage can include severe menstrual-like cramping. If you’re pregnant and are experiencing severe cramping, contact your doctor immediately.

16. Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally grows inside of the uterus, grows outside of it—typically in the pelvic area, which can cause significant cramping, says Dr. Ross.

Pelvic pain associated with endometriosis differs from regular PMS pain in that it often shows up days or weeks earlier than typical PMS cramping, and it may last for days even after your period is done (so, basically, you have very few pain-free days throughout your cycle). Endometriosis cramping also comes without those other PMS symptoms like mood swings.

It can take years to get an endometriosis diagnosis. “Black and Latinx populations are only about half as likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis. However, Asian women were more likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis when compared to white women,” says Jodie Horton, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and chief wellness Advisor for Love Wellness. Part of this has to do with racial bias, Dr. Horton explains—Black patients’ pain is often undertreated. BIPOC individuals might have their endometriosis symptoms downplayed or attributed to anxiety.

The other difficulty in diagnosing endometriosis is due to the fact that a variety of conditions can cause painful periods and pelvic pain. Endometriosis symptoms also vary from person to person. “A woman may have very few lesions and have severe symptoms compared to another woman who may have severe disease may have no symptoms at all,” says Dr. Horton. Sometimes it take excision surgery to remove tissue and diagnose endometriosis.

17. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

“Lower abdominal cramping is a common complaint in women suffering from IBS,” Ross says. According to research, women in Western countries are two to three times more likely to develop IBS than men.

The intestinal disorder is associated with recurring abdominal pain or discomfort along with altered bowel habits over a period of at least three months. These can include constipation, diarrhea, or the double whammy—both constipation and diarrhea (yes, this is possible!), Dr. Ross says.

18. Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is relatively rare, affecting only about 22,000 women a year in the U.S.. But it’s one of the deadliest cancers for women, killing about 14,000 women a year. A big part of this is because it often shows no, or very subtle, symptoms, Dr. Scott says.

Abdominal bloating, urinary problems, weight loss, and abdominal or pelvic pain are all possible symptoms of ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. And while missing your period isn’t the most common symptom of ovarian cancer, it can be one of them.

So if you’ve missed your period for three months or more, or you have other concerning symptoms, including inexplicable pelvic discomfort, call your doctor.

19. Ruptured cyst

Cysts—such as those caused by PCOS, an anovulatory cycle, or simply your ovaries—are fluid-filled sacs that often come with no symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM). That being said, cysts can sometimes cause the sensation of pressure, bloating, swelling, and (ding, ding, ding) period-like pain but without menstruation.

Cramping or stomach pain sans-period could hit at the possibility of a ruptured cyst.

Although cysts are typically not a problem, they can get rather large and potentially rupture, causing sudden, sharp cramps, often in tandem with nausea and vomiting, per the NLM. Because it depends on which ovary has (or had) the cyst, there’s no hard-and-fast rule as to where in your abdomen you might experience this pain.

20. Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and other tissues that form a sling across the pelvis, which holds together the vagina, uterus, bladder, rectum, and other pelvic organs, according to the NLM. Just like any other part of your body, your pelvic floor can become weak or injured, particularly after pregnancy and childbirth, and cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, lower back pain, and the feeling of pelvic pressure or fullness that are akin to those during your period.

The standout difference from menstruation pain? If you can feel a bulge inside the vagina or, in more extreme cases, you can organs start to push out of the vaginal opening, per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), then you are probably dealing with pelvic floor muscular problems.

Other symptoms include pain during sex, burning feeling in the vagina and while peeing, leaking urine when you cough, laugh, or exercise, and leaking stool or hard time making it to the bathroom in time. To determine what’s going on, ACOG says that your health care provide will typically conduct vaginal and rectal exams in which you may be asked to cough or strain to see if you leak.

21. Ectopic pregnancy

Simply put: an ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, about 90 percent of the time in a fallopian tube, ACOG explains. As the pregnancy grows, it can cause the tube to burst, potentially causing life-threatening internal bleeding that warrants immediate surgery.

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At first, this pregnancy might appear and feel just like any typical pregnancy, thanks to signs such as missed period, tender breasts, and an upset GI system. You might also experience lower back pain, abdominal pain, or pelvic pain (think: cramping)—all of which still make it hard to tell if you’re experiencing an ectopic pregnancy or a typical one.

But as the fetus grows, more serious, defining symptoms may start to develop, such as sudden and severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder pain, weakness, dizziness, or fainting, per ACOG. If you experience any of these, you should visit your doc or the ER immediately.

22. Appendicitis

This painful scenario happens when one end of the appendix gets blocked by a foreign object such as poop. Yup, you read that right: poop. Blockage inside this small, tube-like organ can lead to infection, and in turn, pain around your belly button that gradually gets sharper and moves towards the right, lower part of your abdomen, per the NLM.

But unlike period-related cramps, the pain from appendicitis typically comes on *fast* and may be even worse when you cough, sneeze, or even walk. Other signs that distinguish this pain from that of your period include fever, nausea, and vomiting—all of which mean you should head to the doctor or ER as soon as possible for treatment, hopefully before the appendix bursts.

23. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Different from IBS, IBD is an umbrella term that encompasses several conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. While the exact cause is unknown, IBD is thought to be due to your immune system responding incorrectly to triggers that cause inflammation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cramping and pain associated with IBD differs depending on the diagnosis. For patients with Crohn’s, it’s typically localized to the lower, right side of the abdomen. For those with ulcerative colitis, pain may radiate towards the left.

If you’re dealing with IBD, you’ll likely have other GI systems in addition to cramping, such as chronic diarrhea (which may be bloody), weight loss, and excess gas, the Cleveland Clinic says. To diagnose an inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor will likely refer you to a gastroenterologist, who may order blood tests, stool samples, and an endoscopic exam.

24. Lactose intolerance

When you cannot digest foods with lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products, you’re left with gas, diarrhea, bloating, and pain. This sick-to-your-stomach sensation might mimic the cramping and bloating you feel when you’re on your period, but they should dissipate within a few hours, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Try keeping a food log to spot patterns regarding when you feel cramping and what you just ate. This can help pinpoint whether a food intolerance is to blame.

25. Indigestion

Stomach cramps, particularly in your upper belly? Notice it shortly after (or even during) eating? Indigestion often during or right after eating, might be to blame. Other symptoms include heat, burning, or pain in between the belly button and the lower part of the breastbone, an unpleasant sensation of fullness during or right after a meal, bloating, and nausea, according to the NLM.

Most of the time, indigestion is not a sign of a serious health problem—although you might want to slow down your eating and avoid lying down immediately after a big meal.

Locke Hughes
Locke Hughes is a freelance journalist and health coach.

Elizabeth Bacharach
Elizabeth Bacharach is the Assistant Editor at Women’s Health where she writes and edits content about mental and physical health, food and nutrition, sexual health, and lifestyle trends across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine.

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Why Is My Period Late?

Missed or late periods are usually taken as a sign of pregnancy. But, for many women, missed or late periods can also happen due to a plethora of non-pregnancy related reasons and throw them by shock.

Only two times in a woman’s life can a period be really late- when a girl starts monarchy and once a woman reaches menopause. While most menstrual cycles last for 28 days, a 21-35 day window is also considered fairly healthy, since a woman’s body can go through a lot of transitionary changes. Anything out of the 35-day window becomes a cause for concern.

If you are prone to late periods, or miss a period altogether but do not suspect pregnancy, here are some reasons why this could happen:

1. Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes and imbalance are one of the biggest culprits behind your period being unusually late. Polycystic Ovary Disorder (PCOD) and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are common reasons why a woman can go without having her monthly periods or having a longer menstrual cycle than average.

Hormonal problems like PCOS and PCOD arise when cysts form on the ovaries as a result of hormonal imbalance. Some women can produce an excess of the male hormone, androgen, which can disrupt menstruation and bring on fertility problems as well. Lifestyle changes, following medications, can usually help relieve problems and get your cycle back on track.

2. Stress

Stress can be one of the biggest disruptors to your regular cycles. In some cases when a woman is undergoing acute stress, she can go without having her period for upto 2 months! One of the prime reasons this happens is because stress affects hormonal functioning, alter the working of the hypothalamus (which regulates blood flow) and make you prone to obesity and bad eating habits.

3. Anemia and iron deficiency

Anaemia and iron deficiency is commonly experienced in women of reproductive ages. If a woman is deficient in iron or faces problems absorbing iron properly, it could impact blood flow in the body, and as a consequence make you miss periods, or have them fairly late.


4. Being on birth control

While birth control is advised for some women to regularize their cycles, some women on birth control can often miss their period, or suffer from menstrual irregularities. Pills work as a safe way to ‘alter’ your hormonal functioning since they contain doses of estrogen and progestin and come in a 28-day dose pack. The hormones released in the first three weeks work to actively “suppress” your fertility, thereby, delaying your menstrual cycle. Women who use patches or long-term birth control may also skip their period, or miss their periods for a longer time.

5. Low body weight

Experiencing a lower than normal body weight for your age can alter vital body functioning, including ovulation. Thus, women who are underweight can also suffer from missed or late period problems frequently. Menstrual irregularities can also be resultant of certain eating disorders, including bulimia, anorexia, which can make you miss out on core vitamins and minerals and induce deficiencies. Such problems should be attended to at once.


6. Chronic diseases or trauma

People who suffer from inflammatory diseases, diabetes, celiac diseases and certain forms of gut problems are at a higher risk for deficiencies, hormonal imbalance and menstrual problems. Experiencing trauma, or intense stress can also force the body to forego, miss out, or delay periods.

7. Peri-menopause

Peri-menopause marks the time when the body starts to make the transition to menopause, i.e., the end of menstruation. While most women experience this between the ages of 40-55, some women can develop perimenopausal symptoms earlier than 40 and have scant or fewer periods in a year. It’s usually a sign that your fertility is declining, and your egg count might be lowering. This could be a reason for your missed period if you have not had sexual intercourse in the weeks before.

8. Thyroid

The body’s thyroid gland regulates metabolism, hormonal stimulation and reproductive system as well. An underactive or overactive thyroid gland could cause problems and make women suffer from unusually late periods, or miss her periods. While thyroid medicines usually help relieve problems, thyroid levels and symptoms should be regularly checked and taken care of.

9. Too much exercise

Athletes and trained sportswomen, who often exercise for super long hours, or consume fewer calories suffer from a depleted hormonal supply which could disrupt the regular menstrual cycle. This is one of the reasons why athletes often miss out on their periods or stop having them altogether (suffer from amenorrhea).

This is for the same reason, intense exercise is considered by some to be a natural remedy to postpone periods.

10. Obesity

Just as low body weight can interrupt body functioning and menstruation, being overweight or obese can also set in hormonal changes. Extra body weight triggers inflammation in the body, adds more stress and cause an overproduction of oestrogen in some cases.

If obesity is the reason behind you having fewer, or delayed periods, a doctor can work with you to devise an exercise and diet plan to get you back in shape and regularize the menstrual cycle.

How late is too late? When should you be concerned?

Scientifically, a period is considered to be late or delayed if it has been more than 30 days since your last menstrual cycle ended, and you do not have any hormonal or health condition which affects your cycle.

If you go six weeks without having a period, it is said to be a missed period and usually, is a cause for concern.

While sedentary lifestyle problems and eating habits could be the reasons behind your irregular period cycle, you should consider making an appointment with a doctor if you chronically have late periods, have less than 6-7 periods a year or have an unusually long period cycle.

Do remember to keep a track of other symptoms and bodily changes, apart from missed periods to tell your doctor about such as fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding, extreme cramps, mood swings and fluctuations.

90,000 Menstrual irregularities – causes, first symptoms, recommendations

Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation for 6 months or more), it accounts for 0.6 – 1.2% of cases. It is divided into primary (absence of menstruation at the age of 16 years and older) and secondary (absence of menstruation for 6 months or more after a period of regular or irregular menstruation).

Oligomenorrhea (the interval between periods is more than 35 days).

Reasons

• Hormonal disorders.
• Unfavorable environmental conditions, which can affect the function of female genital organs, and social factors – an unhealthy environment in the family.
• Hereditary factor.
• Stress factor. Strenuous study at school, problems in understanding with adults.
• Excessive physical activity.
• Incorrect power supply. In this aspect, two extremes are most often encountered – obesity and the desire for unhealthy thinness.
• Chronic non-gynecological diseases (cardiovascular, endocrinological, central nervous system and others).
• Congenital diseases of the female reproductive system.

Symptoms

• The girl is already 15 years old, but her first period has not begun.
• More than 3 months have passed since the last menstruation.
• For more than a year, the menstrual cycle is irregular.
• Menstrual flow lasts more than 7 days.
• Menstrual flow is suddenly heavier and needs to be replaced more often than every two hours.
• Profuse bleeding appears between menstruation.
• Menses are accompanied by severe pain.

A girl’s first menstruation is an important moment in her life. The future women’s health depends on at what age, how abundant, how long and after what period of time menstruation will become regular.Therefore, if you are not sure that everything is going right for your daughter, do not hesitate and contact a specialist. At this stage, you can identify minor changes in the formation of your child’s menstrual function and start preventive or therapeutic measures in conjunction with a competent pediatric gynecologist.

A complex of methods allows to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis, establish a diagnosis, and prescribe timely treatment: a doctor’s consultation, laboratory and ultrasound diagnostics.

Prevention

• Organization of the correct daily routine with the obligatory good rest and nutrition.
• Limitation of excessive physical and intellectual exertion, protection from stress.
• Vitamin therapy (vitamins of group B, vitamin E are used).
• Physiotherapy (balneotherapy, etc.).

More about pediatric gynecology at the YugMed clinic

90,000 Tracking your periods with Cycle Tracker

With iOS 13 and watchOS 6 and later, it’s easy to track your menstrual cycle and better understand your health.

You can track your menstrual cycle in Health on iPhone or Cycle Tracker on Apple Watch.You can also turn on notifications to know when your next period is approaching or fertile days.

Cycle Tracker is included with watchOS 6. watchOS 6 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 1 and later. To update to watchOS 6, an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 or later is required.

Setting the program “Cycle tracking”

1. On iPhone, open the Health app and go to the Overview tab.
2. Press Cycle Tracking.
3. Click Proceed and follow the instructions on the screen.

Cycle tracking

1. On iPhone, open the Health app and go to the Overview tab.
2. Press Cycle Tracking.
3. Swipe to select the day you want and press the oval icon to register your period.
4. To add more information, scroll down, select a category, make your changes and click Done. Can track symptoms, bleeding, basal body temperature, etc.

To track your cycle on Apple Watch, open Cycle Tracker, swipe to select the day you want, and tap the oval icon to record your period.

Checking the date of the last and next period

1. On iPhone, open the Health app and go to the Overview tab.
2. Press Cycle Tracking.
3. Scroll to Guess to see the approximate start date for your next period.If no estimated date is displayed, click Show All next to Guess.
4. Scroll to Statistics to see your last menstrual period and your typical cycle length.

To view dates on Apple Watch, open Cycle Tracker, scroll down to Guess or Last Menstruation.

Meaning of colors

By opening Health or Cycle Tracker, you can quickly and easily get information about your period or fertile days.Below is information about the meaning of symbols and colors.

A blue oval icon indicates an indicative 6-day fertile period.

Red stripes on the circumference indicate the estimated start of menstruation.

The dark red dots mark the menstrual days recorded.

The purple dots mark the days when the data was recorded.

Set up notifications for menstruation and fertility tracking

1. On iPhone, open the Health app and go to the Overview tab.
2. Press Cycle Tracking.
3. Scroll down and select Options.
4. Select Guess and Notification options. With these notifications, you can find out the approximate start and end date of your period.
5. Select the Possible Auspicious Days and Aid Days Alert options. With the help of these notifications, you can find out the approximate date of the beginning of a favorable period for conception.

Assumptions are available after entering your last menstrual period in Cycle Tracker and are based on logged data.If you log your period before it is suspected to start, you will not receive a notification for that cycle. Apple Watch and iPhone receive notifications depending on which device you use.

Calculation of assumptions

Period prediction is based on the length of your previous periods and cycles that you recorded, including the number of days your period usually lasts and the length of your regular cycle.When you set up Cycle Tracker, you can enter information about past cycles, including the day your last period started, how long it usually took, and how long your regular cycle was. You can enter this information manually, or you can confirm the information available in the Health program from the use of third-party programs.

The fertile period is 6 days, during which there is a high probability of becoming pregnant. In this case, the registered information about menstruation or positive results of an ovulation test are taken into account.The assumption about a favorable period for conception is calculated in the traditional calendar way: 13 days are subtracted from the approximate date of the beginning of the next menstruation (luteinization phase). If positive ovulation test results are entered, the fertile period may change so that its 5th day coincides with the first positive ovulation test result in the cycle.

Hide the program “Cycle tracking”

You can uninstall apps directly from the Apple Watch Home screen.

1. Press the Digital Crown to display the Home screen.
2. Press and hold the Cycle Tracker icon until it wiggles. If the program icon does not wiggle, make sure not pressing too hard.
3. Press the Uninstall button () and then Uninstall a Program. Not all built-in Apple programs can be uninstalled.
4. Press the Digital Crown to complete.

Learn how to reinstall Cycle Tracker.

Important information

• Cycle Tracker and estimated fertile times should not be used for birth control.
• Health and Cycle Tracker data should not be used to diagnose health conditions.
• You can also use third-party programs that are compatible with Health with Cycle Tracker.

Information about non-Apple products or third-party websites not controlled or tested by Apple is not endorsement or recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility for the selection, functionality, or use of third party websites or products.Apple is also not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information posted on third party websites. Contact your supplier for more information.

Date of publication: 08 November 2019

90,000 first signs of pregnancy | Pampers RU

A delay in menstruation is the first signal of a possible pregnancy.However, even before the delay, a woman may feel that something unusual is happening to her body.

Doctors distinguish the following first signs of pregnancy before the delay in menstruation:

• Weakness and drowsiness. You may find that you want to sleep all the time, even if you have slept enough, and you get tired much faster than usual.

• Morning sickness. Some women already have mild morning sickness early in their pregnancy.

• Change in taste preferences. Do you suddenly want a salted watermelon or something else that you have never eaten? There is a reason to think!

• Breast augmentation. If the nipples begin to darken at a later date, then the size of the breasts may increase markedly from the first days.

• Change in smell. Have you suddenly started to notice smells that you didn’t pay attention to before? Did your favorite spirits suddenly stop liking? This could be a symptom of pregnancy.

• Forgetfulness and distraction. Forgot why you entered the room, reread the same page and cannot keep elementary things in your memory? Perhaps these are the tricks of your future baby!

• Vaginal discharge. Slight spotting before the expected period may indicate that the embryo is attached to the wall of the uterus. In this case, you need to be very careful – in order not to risk it, it is better to immediately consult a doctor.

• Malaise. In the early stages of pregnancy, immunity may decrease and not protect you from harmful bacteria that lie in wait for us everywhere. As a result, many women in early pregnancy, especially in winter, complain of a runny nose and sore throat. But in this case, you should consider your possible pregnancy and not take strong medications that can harm the fetus.

• Slight fever and headache.

• Drawing pains in the lower back and lower abdomen. With the onset of pregnancy, blood flow to the uterus begins to increase, which can quickly affect your well-being.

• Frequent urge to urinate. You may suddenly notice that you are running to the toilet too often.

Of course, this does not mean that all these symptoms will certainly hit you at once. It all depends solely on your characteristics.For someone, the baby immediately declares itself, while for someone it behaves quietly and for the time being does not bother the expectant mother.

It should also be borne in mind that the earliest signs of pregnancy can be confused with malaise, the effects of stress or other malfunctions in the body. In order to be sure of the onset of pregnancy, it is better to resort to the medical methods recommended by doctors.

Reliable ways to determine early pregnancy

If you notice the initial signs of pregnancy, it’s time to move on to a more accurate diagnosis.The most accurate early method of diagnosing pregnancy is analysis for the level of hCG . It can be done even before your period is delayed. You can also take a pregnancy test that is sold at the pharmacy. Modern tests are able to determine pregnancy and its approximate period also before the delay of menstruation. If you already have a slight delay, you can get an ultrasound referral from your gynecologist.

However, there is no guarantee that the fertilized egg will be seen during examination. Perhaps, in a week or two, the ultrasound will have to be repeated.

How to determine the duration of pregnancy by the last months

When the pregnancy is confirmed, you will want to know how events will develop further. Pampers has a helpful guide for every week of pregnancy.

We also tell you what awaits you in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Treatment of menstrual irregularities in Moscow

Various menstrual irregularities are one of the most common reasons for contacting a gynecologist.These problems occur in both adolescent girls and older women. Immediately, we note that regardless of the cause and characteristics of the course, the violation always requires correction.

The normal menstrual cycle is one of the main indicators of women’s health. It allows for 28 to 35 days and assumes 3 to 7 days with bleeding. During menstruation, a woman may experience physical discomfort and face changes in hormonal levels. Normal blood loss can range from 90 to 130 ml.

The course of the cycle is individual and can be changed:

• in its total duration;
• in the number of monthly days;
• in the volume of blood secretions.

As long as these indicators are within the normal range, you should not worry. Serious deviations, on the contrary, can be signs of health problems and require an early visit to a gynecologist.

The causes of menstrual irregularities can be divided into several categories:

1.External. They are associated with a woman’s lifestyle. These include:

• stress;
• unbalanced nutrition;
• serious physical activity.

When these factors disappear, the cycle usually returns to normal.

2. Internal. This category includes various pathologies and dysregulation processes. These include:

• ovarian lesions;
• hereditary diseases;
• excessive or insufficient secretion of estrogen;
• disorders of the thyroid gland;
• tuberculosis;
• blood clotting disorders;
• pronounced excess weight.

3. Medication. Associated with taking (or stopping) various drugs, especially hormonal ones.

If menstrual irregularities are not corrected on time, serious complications may develop, including:

• deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood due to frequent profuse discharge;
• infertility;
• development of infectious and other diseases, including cancer.

Depending on the nature of menstrual irregularities, the following diagnoses are distinguished:

1. Opsomenorrhea – an increase in the length of the cycle, which is accompanied by rare and irregular menstruation.This deviation significantly reduces the likelihood of pregnancy.
2. Oligomenorrhea – a sharp increase in the intervals between menstruation (from 40 days to several months).
3. Hyperpolymenorrhea is a deviation characterized by a sharp increase in the volume of blood secretions.
4. Menorrhagia – involves an increase in the volume of discharge, as in hyperpolymenorrhea, but is accompanied by an increase in the duration of menstruation up to 10 days.
5. Metrorrhagia – this deviation is characterized by the appearance of bloody discharge, which can occur on any day of the cycle.
6. Proyomenorrhea – shortening the cycle to 21 days or less.
7. Dysmenorrhea is a deviation in which various menstrual irregularities are accompanied by pain, nausea, vomiting, increased or decreased blood pressure.
8. Algomenorrhea – severe pain during menstruation, leading to the disability of the patient.
9. Amenorrhea – assumes the complete absence of menstruation for 6 months or more in the absence of pregnancy.

If you find these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will be able to carry out the necessary diagnostics, determine the cause of the menstrual irregularities and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Gynecologists recommend contacting a specialist not only when there are any abnormalities in the cycle, but also as a preventive measure. This should be done at least 1-2 times a year.Sign up for a consultation if you find any of the symptoms described in the previous paragraph, as well as:

• if menstruation has not begun in a girl 15 years of age or older;
• with the appearance of discharge during pregnancy;
• for severe pain during menstruation;
• with profuse bleeding on any day of the cycle, except for menstruation;
• when menstruation occurs during menopause.

Diagnostics for menstrual irregularities

Diagnostics, which are used for menstrual irregularities, consists of a standard part, which includes the main types of diagnostics, and an additional part, which includes other types of research prescribed by a gynecologist.

Standard inspection assumes:

• collection of anamnesis. The doctor needs information:
  • about the patient’s age;
  • about the peculiarities of the cycle;
  • about pregnancies, including unsuccessful ones;
  • on contraceptive methods used;
  • on the presence of diagnosed diseases;
  • for current symptoms.
• gynecological examination.During it, the doctor can assess the condition of the mucous membranes and other details.

If it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis, the gynecologist may prescribe additional studies. They are divided into:

Laboratory:

1. Complete blood count.
2. Urinalysis.
3. Microbiological research.
4. Biochemical blood test.
5. Smears from the genital tract.
6. Analysis of blood clotting.
7. Determination of hormone levels and others.

Hardware.

1. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
2. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
3. Radiography.
4. Mammography or ultrasound of the mammary glands.
5. MRI.

Based on the data obtained, the gynecologist will be able to establish the cause of the menstrual irregularity.

Treatment of menstrual irregularities

provides for the solution of two tasks:

1.Elimination of the cause of violations.

2. Minimization of symptoms and restoration of normal values.

This requires therapy, which is selected depending on the cause of the deviations:

1. If violations are the cause of a lack of hormones, then the specialist prescribes special drugs that allow you to normalize the background. Usually, the duration of their intake is 3 cycles, but by the decision of the doctor, it can be changed. After that, the woman is prescribed progesterone drugs.Their main task is to stimulate ovulation. The duration of their admission is usually 2-3 months.

2. For hyperpolymenorrhea and menorrhagia, as well as for other disorders associated with an increase in the volume of secretions, hemostatic drugs are usually prescribed. If the deviations are associated with changes in the endometrium, then a hysteroscopy procedure is first prescribed. Curettage of the uterine cavity and microscopic analysis of the material are also recommended. With massive bleeding, it is possible to carry out laser or other ablation of the endometrium.

3. If the cause of the disorder is a disease or neoplasm, a specialized treatment program is carried out. It is developed by a specialist and provides for the administration of various drugs, and, if necessary, surgical interventions.

Adolescents also fall into the risk zone, since many pathologies and diseases appear during puberty. The formation of a stable cycle can take up to 12 months, but in cases where the process takes more than a year, it is worth contacting a gynecologist.The therapy program for adolescents is usually gentle in nature and is selected taking into account the characteristics of the developing hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system.

After receiving a gynecologist, passing the necessary studies and prescribing therapy, a patient with menstrual irregularities must strictly follow all the prescriptions of a specialist. It is important to take into account that untimely administration of drugs does not have a therapeutic effect and does not stop the development of diseases.Even in the case of obvious improvements, it is necessary to re-make an appointment with the doctor at the appointed time. The specialist should evaluate the effectiveness of therapy and make changes to it if necessary.

90,000 Women’s business This disease can lead to infertility. How to protect yourself: Lenta.ru

Millions of women ignore symptoms that indicate the presence of serious disorders in the body. Cycle irregularities, abundant or scanty discharge during menstruation are symptoms that require attention, since they are a common cause of infertility.”Lenta.ru” with the support of the “Berlin-Chemie / A. Menarini” company tells what else it can be connected with.

Most often, irregularities in the menstrual cycle are not an independent disease, but a manifestation of hormonal imbalance or other malfunction in the body. The change of seasons of the year itself affects the body, but it can also overlap with hormonal disorders.

Menstrual problems are a common symptom of thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism.According to some studies, up to 34 percent of cases of infertility are detected against the background of hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a disease due to which the production of thyroid hormones decreases. According to statistics, among women, this violation occurs several times more often than among men.

The thyroid gland is a regulator, a “dispatcher” of the whole organism, hormonal signals from the thyroid gland are sent to all organs. The reproductive organs are no exception, their activity is also influenced by the thyroid gland.Hypothyroidism leads to a slowdown in metabolic processes, changes in metabolism, as well as a decrease in the activity of female sex hormones.

The coordinated work of the thyroid and female reproductive glands allows the endometrium (this is the inner lining of the uterus) to be regularly renewed, and the oocytes to mature, which is an important condition for conception.

If the thyroid gland does not work properly, changes may begin on the part of the “controlled” organs. During adolescence, hypothyroidism can cause later sexual development and a delay in the onset of the first menstrual period.During pregnancy, hypothyroidism is also very insidious – it can cause abortion and impaired fetal development.

According to statistics, women are more likely to have inflammatory lesions of the thyroid gland, which leads to dysfunction of the organ and hormonal deficiency.

Sometimes pregnancy can also provoke thyroid problems. A sharp change in hormonal levels in pregnant women can negatively affect the cells of the thyroid gland, leading to a disruption in the production of hormones.

The first step, of course, is to make an appointment with a gynecologist. Doctors know that irregularities in the menstrual cycle can be caused by malfunctions of the thyroid gland, therefore, in such situations, hormone levels are determined without fail. In addition, this is quite simple to do – you can only take one test for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). By changing the concentration of this hormone, conclusions can be drawn about the functioning of the organ.

At the same time, it will be possible to donate blood in any laboratory and without a doctor’s referral.If anomalies are detected, you should consult a specialist (endocrinologist).

Usually, if the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is confirmed, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. With the correct selection of doses and drugs, all the symptoms of hypothyroidism disappear, and this contributes to the normalization of the menstrual cycle and further conception.

Find out where to get tested.

Menopause in women: what is it, symptoms and causes

Menopause in a woman is the termination of her menstrual cycle.The phenomenon is often called menopause. In our article, we will tell you in detail when menopause occurs in women, what it is and why menstruation stops. If women are prepared for this, it will be much easier to endure such a transitional period.

What is menopause and when does it occur?

In simple terms, menopause is the last independent menstruation that a woman experiences. Then a completely different stage of life begins. It is difficult to establish the exact date; this can only be judged later.It may well be early menopause, it happens sometimes. But usually it becomes clear about this only after 12 months. If there are no menstruation throughout the year, then you need to calculate when the last time it happened. And that means that that’s when menopause began.

After the 40-year mark, the level of a hormone produced in the ovaries called estrogen begins to decrease in the body of almost all women. There are certain signs of menopause when a woman is not feeling well.If you look at the statistics, then menopause usually occurs at the age of 50. But there are also cases when menopause occurs before this age, for example, at 40 years old. In rare cases, this is observed in 60.

Comparing the data of smokers and nonsmokers, we can note the following pattern: the first signs of menopause in those who smoke appear several years earlier than in those who do not suffer from such addiction.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that such a concept as menopause includes not only the transition period.Therefore, it is rather difficult to say how long menopause lasts. After all, the word “climax” itself, if translated literally from Greek, means “step”. And just this “step” captures several periods in a woman’s life:

• Premenopause, which lasts for several years.
• Menopause, which lasts 12 months from the time the last menstrual period ended.
• Postmenopause, which lasts until old age.

As for postmenopause, it is usually considered that it lasts up to 70-75 years. But what about sexual relations then?

We can state the following: sex after menopause is quite possible, but a woman may no longer be attracted to it. After all, she practically does not receive pleasure from this. Sexual relationships after menopause can only be enjoyable if some additional erotic stimulants are used. It must be remembered that after 70 years old age begins.

Therefore, we can draw the following conclusion: menopause in women is premature, early, timely, and also late. So menopause can occur at the age of 30 or after 55 years.

Symptoms and signs of menopause

And what are the symptoms of menopause, by what signs can a woman determine that this phenomenon has occurred in her life? It is necessary to consider the following: the menopause does not occur completely suddenly, this is usually not observed. In a woman’s body, hormonal changes begin even before this, and this period is usually called premenopause.Symptoms make themselves felt as early as 40-42 years. On what grounds can this be understood?

The very first signs of an approaching climax can be identified:

1. Large intervals can be found between periods.
2. Getting pregnant is becoming more and more difficult, although after 40 years, few people think about it.
3. Approaching menopause makes itself felt with hot flashes and chills.
4. Dizziness and migraines often appear.
5. A woman’s appearance changes significantly.
6. Diseases of the skeletal system may appear.
7. There are sexual dysfunctions.

But there are some other signs of menopause in women that cannot be called pleasant. For example, the cardiovascular system begins to malfunction. And when a wife complains to her husband before going to bed about a migraine that has appeared, in most cases she does not deceive, so it is better to postpone intimacy the next day or evening.

Hot flashes often give way to chills, and this is a very unpleasant sensation.Before menopause begins in women, they notice that their skin becomes dry. The condition of the hair also worsens. The sexual activity of a young girl is influenced by ovarian hormones. And we are talking not only about estrogen, but also about progesterone. Thanks to this, tissue cells can be renewed, so the signs of aging are almost invisible. During this period, the level of another hormone, which is called follicle-stimulating hormone, rises. Because of this, estrogen levels immediately drop. And this leads to aging of the body.Therefore, the process of natural aging of a woman is often called menopause.

Reasons for the onset of menopause

It should be borne in mind that signs of menopause or menopause may appear at an earlier age. For example, this sometimes happens even at 35 years old. The very first symptom of the early menopause is vaginal dryness. This leads not only to the fact that sexual relations can cause discomfort, but also to the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the genitourinary organs.A sign of the onset of early menopause is the fact that a woman’s sexual activity decreases.

It is worthwhile to first figure out why early menopause occurs, what is the main reason? According to experts, the main reason may be the appearance of menstruation at an earlier age than usual. For example, when they begin before they reach 12 years of age. But there may be other reasons:

1. It can be inherited.
2. If a woman is often stressed.
3. Early menopause may occur from frequent use of oral contraceptives.
4. When hormonal drugs are used for a long time.
5. This is observed with thyroid disease.

Infectious diseases can also affect the appearance of early menopause. If a woman manifested pathologies of the genital organs, then in 75% of cases it can be guaranteed that she will begin menopause before reaching the age of 40.Do not forget about physical overload, which are contraindicated for the female body.

Vitamins at menopause

Menopause does not bring pleasure to any woman. Is it possible to call sleep disturbances or psychovegetative disorders pleasant? And the nervous system begins to malfunction. You need to do something about the headaches as well. Therefore, it is necessary to find out which vitamins during menopause can bring significant benefits. Indeed, during this period, the woman’s body is rebuilt, the immune system can be weakened.This means that the likelihood of catching an infection is significantly increased.

It is worth remembering that the extinction of ovarian function significantly affects the entire body as a whole. It is best for a woman to see a doctor who will give advice on which vitamins to use. With their help, you can achieve the following:

• Metabolism will be significantly accelerated.
• Restoration of the optimal level of production of sex hormones.
• You will be able to improve your immunity.

All this will allow you to get rid of the acute symptoms of menopause.

A woman must undergo a complete examination, after which the doctor will be able to prescribe vitamin preparations. But here a certain role can be played by the age at which the symptoms of the approaching menopause appeared. There are many such drugs, and each has some specific effect. For example, Retinol is able to support ovarian function. It also helps to prevent swelling in the mammary glands.

Ascorbic acid has also proven itself very well. It is able not only to speed up the metabolism, but also to support the immune system. It should also be noted that vitamin C removes the fragility of blood vessels. Vitamin D is also very needed, which helps the body quickly absorb calcium, which is so lacking at the age of forty. Therefore, you can not be afraid of such an unpleasant disease as osteoporosis. Since during menopause, the work of both the nervous and cardiovascular systems is disrupted, then you need to take Thiamin.Folic acid can improve the functioning of the nervous system.

Diagnostics and treatment

There are two ways to diagnose menopause: on your own, if you understand the symptoms, and when you visit a doctor. Some women cannot recognize the approach of menopause, as it comes ahead of time. Therefore, they go to the doctor, as they believe that some kind of disease has appeared. It is possible to determine the onset of menopause with the help of tests. Usually, the doctor first interviews the woman, performs an examination, and then prescribes a blood test.If the level of FSH in the blood has increased, then this is one of the main evidence of an approaching or already onset menopause.

On examination, the gynecologist pays attention to the walls of the vagina. If they are not only dry, but also thinned due to a lack of estrogen, then this is also evidence of menopause. On examination, a smear is taken from the vaginal wall. Naturally, a woman is interested in how to delay menopause and avoid the manifestation of menopause, what needs to be done for this?

There are some drugs that can help this.The doctor may prescribe vitamin E. It can help to postpone menopause to a later period. And at the same time, it smooths out his symptoms. Antidepressants are prescribed to reduce the frequency of hot flashes. It is advisable to take them in the pathological course of menopause. Still, the most commonly used hormone therapy. But, here you only need an individual and professional approach.

How to delay menopause?

Many women are concerned not only with the question of whether it is possible to get pregnant during menopause, but also how to postpone this period? As for the issue of pregnancy during menopause, this sometimes happens, therefore, if pregnancy is not planned, it is better to use contraceptives during intercourse in the first 12 months after the last menstruation.It is possible to become pregnant during menopause. It must be borne in mind that both the signs of pregnancy and the symptoms of the onset of menopause are very similar to each other. And this is not only the absence of menstruation, but also nausea and weakness of the body. Therefore, hormonal drugs can be used as a contraceptive. They will simultaneously alleviate the unpleasant manifestations of menopause.

The question remains: how to postpone menopause, what to do for this? This needs to be done for several reasons.Firstly, every woman wants to enjoy longer sexual contact with her beloved man. And secondly, I do not want to experience discomfort at an early age. So why not try to postpone menopause by at least 55 years of age?

It turns out that medicine can offer several ways to prolong the period of fertility. This can be achieved with:

• Hormone therapy.
• Phytotherapy.
• Vitamin complexes.

Melsmon, Hormoplex, Triaclim and others are prescribed as hormonal drugs. You can also increase the chances of a positive result with the help of some folk remedies. For example, you can make a decoction of lungwort, which helps to produce hormones. However, before you start practicing herbal medicine, you should definitely consult with a homeopathic doctor. It is very important to give up not only smoking, but also the use of any dose of alcohol. You need to balance your daily diet.You can postpone menopause if you immediately notice its approach. Therefore, a woman needs to visit a gynecologist every 6 months.

Read also:

Epiphysis

Hormones of the pineal gland

Stimulation of the pineal gland

Treatment of diseases of the pineal gland

Pituitary and pineal gland

What is Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone?

Cyst of pineal gland

Endocrine glands

90,000 TOP-5 questions for a gynecologist | FNKTS FMBA of Russia

The most popular questions are answered by Dr.MD, obstetrician-gynecologist of the Federal Research Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, expert doctor Vera Dmitrievna Petrova.

1. Do I need to go to a gynecologist if nothing bothers me?

The gynecologist must be visited annually.

2. What tests and examinations do you need to undergo during a routine appointment?

At the reception, the gynecologist will examine the cervix in the mirrors, take tests for oncocytology, vaginal flora. According to the indications, he will prescribe: tests for sexually transmitted infections, tests for HPV, colposcopy and recommends an ultrasound of the pelvic organs – for 5-7 days of the cycle.

3. For what symptoms do you need to see a doctor immediately?

– Bleeding outside of menstruation

– Delayed menstruation for more than 7 days

– Pain in the lower abdomen + nausea, dry mouth, fever

– Severe pain during intercourse

– Painful and / or heavy menstruation

– Itching, burning sensation in the vagina and discharge with an unpleasant odor

– Masses on the labia, in the vagina or in the perineal area

– Unprotected intercourse and you do not have emergency contraception

4.Why does the menstrual cycle go astray?

Failure of the frequency and duration of the menstrual cycle are the most common problems with which women go to the gynecologist. A problem does not always mean pathology, but for many it is an early symptom of a serious illness.