Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 30 Apr 2023
When it comes to missed periods, the causes may widely range from potential pregnancy to medications. Some women may also experience delayed or missed periods due to certain uterine conditions such as PCOS, polyps, fibroids, endometriosis and more. In certain scenarios, breastfeeding and working out excessively can also influence the regular menstrual cycle in women.
If you are trying to get conceived and your periods are delayed, it is natural to assume that you are pregnant. This is because the PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and pregnancy symptoms are typically confusing since they both almost resemble the same.
Even though a delayed or missed period is one of the early signs of being pregnant, the symptom alone cannot be a definite indicator. Rather, recognizing the most appropriate symptoms of pregnancy before missed period is crucial.
Scroll down through this blog to understand the signs and symptoms of potential pregnancy, why it happens even though you are not pregnant and certain causes of missed periods.
Women may experience innumerable signs of pregnancy before confirmation. This happens because of the rapid shift in hormone production as soon as implantation takes place. Specifically, the shift in the production of hormones like progesterone, estrogen and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) triggers these symptoms. The symptoms may include:
As soon as implantation happens, the hCG and progesterone hormone work together to stop the menstruation and ovulation temporarily. The hCG is the reproductive hormone developed by the placenta.
Note that the placenta starts to grow as soon as the egg and sperm are fertilized and implanted into the uterus. The placenta continues to grow all through the pregnancy and reaches its maturity stage by around 34 weeks.
The hormones hCG and progesterone play an essential role in thickening the uterine lining to support the development of the growing fetus in the womb. The hormone hCG also stops the regular menstrual cycle. When it comes to progesterone, the hormone is responsible for stopping the ovulation process, which is typically developed by the ovaries and placenta.
Fatigue is a well-known sign of early pregnancy. The increased production of progesterone hormone is the key factor in developing the symptom. Furthermore, the enhanced level of blood in expectant mothers, and increased heart and breathing rate are also contributing factors to fatigue symptoms.
Nausea, which is also known as morning sickness is the early pregnancy symptom before missed periods. The increased production of hCG hormone is the key factor in developing the symptom. In addition, low blood sugar, genetic susceptibility, and stress are also contributing factors to the symptoms of nausea.
Cramping during early pregnancy is a significant cause of either implantation or gas buildup. The increased production of progesterone hormone is the key factor in developing the symptom. The hormone potentially declines the efficiency of digestion in expectant mothers. Furthermore, the growing fetus also leads to constipation issues. All these factors result in the development of cramping.
In the early stages of pregnancy, even before confirmation, some women may confirm the pregnancy by noticing certain changes in the cervical mucus. Significant changes in cervical mucus take place due to the elevated production of progesterone and estrogen hormones. These hormones are responsible for the elevated secretion of cervical mucus and the thickening of its consistency as soon as implantation takes place.
Experiencing light bleeding before missed periods can be the cause of implantation. Implantation is nothing but when the fertilized egg and sperm (blastocyst) are attached to the uterus, light spotting or bleeding occurs. The successful attachment leads to pregnancy. Some women may notice bleeding when this happens. However, not all women can notice the symptoms.
Note that when the woman experiences bleeding in the early stage of pregnancy, the primary cause could be due to ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
The urge to urinate frequently is another sign of early pregnancy. The increased secretion of progesterone and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone are the key factors in developing the symptom. The production of more urine takes place as these hormones enhance the flow of blood to the kidneys and pelvic region.
The basal body temperature gets elevated in the early stage of pregnancy. The increased production of progesterone hormone is the key factor in developing the symptom. The body temperature is elevated as the hormone prevents the brain’s ability to recognize the heat-loss mechanism in the expectant mother’s body. The hormone also prevents the brain’s ability to regulate the body temperature. Thus, the effect contributes to the development of more sweat and even feeling warm.
Note that all these symptoms alone are not accurate indicators of a successful pregnancy. It may also be associated with approaching menstrual cycle as well. Hence, having patience until confirming the gestation through a home pregnancy test or blood test would be the most reliable method.
Listed below are some of the additional causes of a missed period apart from PMS and early pregnancy.
Some may experience delayed or missed periods when their ovulation days are postponed. This leads to a delay in her regular menstrual cycle as well.
Certain uterine medical conditions have a direct impact on hormonal disorders. When this happens, it exhibits a negative impact on disrupting the regular menstrual cycle. Uterine conditions like fibroids, PCOS, polyps, endometriosis and more have the tendency to disrupt hormone production. This, in turn, leads to abnormal or missed periods, sometimes even the absence of periods. The condition is otherwise known as amenorrhea.
A chemical pregnancy is also known as an early miscarriage. When this happens, the home pregnancy test exhibits the result as positive pregnancy initially, and then negative when performed after a week or two. In certain scenarios, women may go through experiencing missed or delayed periods.
The consumption of unhealthy lifestyles and unbalanced diets are the major contributing factors to malnutrition. A woman with malnutrition may significantly have ovulating issues. This leads to missed or delayed periods. Sometimes, malnutrition can also lead to cause the condition, of amenorrhea (the absence of periods).
A woman who goes through early perimenopause may have late or missed periods. Sometimes, she may also notice strange variations in her cycle length with longer intervals. Certain factors like surgical or medical procedures, family history, smoking and more can cause early perimenopause.
Extreme stress in women can be the primary cause of delayed or missed periods. This happens as stress has the tendency to release the hormone cortisol in the body. This, in turn, disrupts the production of hormones and the ovulation process. As a result, a missed period takes place.
Thyroid conditions, either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can influence with menstrual cycle. The condition primarily exhibits a negative impact on the overall health of the woman’s reproductive system.
It is important to realize when to seek medical help when it's about reproductive health. Following are certain scenarios.
Q: Will I experience early pregnancy symptoms even before missed periods?
A: The answer to the question is yes. It is quite possible to experience early pregnancy symptoms even before your periods are missed. However, the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is strangely similar to the early pregnancy symptoms. Hence, it is natural for the woman to get confused between the two.
Q: What is the most reliable period to perform pregnancy tests?
A: The most reliable period to perform the pregnancy test is later you miss your periods. It is also recommended to wait for one more week when your menstrual interval is longer than usual. During this phase, you will get the most accurate results.
Q: Do I experience morning sickness even if I am not pregnant?
A: The answer to the question is yes. It is possible to experience morning sickness even if you are not pregnant. The morning sickness can be caused by dehydration, low blood sugar, certain conditions, and stress.
Q: Can I be some weeks pregnant and get periods?
A: The answer to the question no. It is not possible to be pregnant and get menstruation at the same time. However, some women may notice light spotting or bleeding in the earliest days of pregnancy. This happens as the embryo gets implanted into the uterus, causing implantation bleeding. Women may get confused between implantation bleeding and periods.
Q: Can I get pregnant a few days before my menstrual cycle?
A: The answer to the question is yes. It is likely possible if the length of your menstrual cycle and interval is short. This could potentially make you ovulate early, causing the possibility of getting pregnant right before the menstrual cycle.
