What are the causes of delayed or absent menstruation?

Sep 10, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Lu

Introduction

In general, delayed or absent menstruation may be caused by irregular作息 (lifestyle), environmental changes, luteal phase deficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, or other factors. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintaining emotional stability and avoiding excessive stress or anxiety is important.

Generally, delayed or absent menstruation may be caused by irregular作息 (作息不规律), environmental changes, insufficient luteal function, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Irregular作息 (作息不规律): Long-term熬夜 (staying up late) and insufficient sleep can disrupt endocrine rhythms and affect hormone secretion, leading to delayed menstruation. Adjusting作息 schedules (作息时间), ensuring 7-8 hours of sleep daily, maintaining fixed waking and sleeping times, and avoiding熬夜 can help restore normal endocrine function.

2. Environmental changes: Sudden changes in living or working environments may make it difficult for the body to adapt quickly, triggering endocrine fluctuations and causing delayed menstruation. Maintaining regular meals, engaging in moderate exercise, alleviating anxiety, actively adapting to the new environment, and reducing physical stress responses can help manage this condition.

3. Luteal phase deficiency: Insufficient progesterone secretion by the ovarian corpus luteum may delay endometrial development, resulting in delayed menstruation, which may be accompanied by reduced menstrual flow. Patients may take progesterone supplements such as progesterone soft capsules, dydrogesterone tablets, or medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets as directed by a physician.

4. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Endocrine disorders cause abnormal ovulation and elevated androgen levels, manifesting as delayed menstruation, often accompanied by hirsutism and obesity. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as ethinylestradiol cyproterone tablets, spironolactone tablets, or metformin tablets to regulate hormone levels.

5. Hypothyroidism: Insufficient thyroid hormone secretion affects bodily metabolism and endocrine function, causing delayed menstruation accompanied by cold intolerance and fatigue. Patients can take thyroid hormone supplements such as levothyroxine sodium tablets, thyroid extract tablets, or levothyroxine sodium enteric-coated tablets as directed by a physician.

In daily life, maintaining emotional stability, avoiding excessive stress and anxiety, and consuming a nutritionally balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are recommended. Regularly recording menstrual cycles can also help doctors accurately identify causes and formulate effective treatment plans.

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My period is 5 days late, what could be the reason?

In general, if menstruation is delayed by 5 days or more, possible causes may include high levels of mental stress, irregular lifestyle, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, or premature ovarian failure. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular routine and a balanced diet.

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Why does menstruation often get delayed, and what should be done?

In general, frequent menstrual delays may be caused by excessive mental stress, irregular作息 (作息 should be translated as "lifestyle" or "作息 habits" but seems to be used as a term here), endocrine disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine cavity adhesions, or other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatment, medication, or surgical intervention. Daily precautions should include keeping warm to avoid cold exposure, and undergoing regular follow-up examinations of hormone levels or gynecological ultrasound scans.

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What to Eat to Regulate Menstrual Delay

Under normal circumstances, menstrual delay can be improved by consuming foods such as spinach, black soybeans, longan, pumpkin, and brown sugar. Additionally, medications such as progesterone capsules, dydrogesterone tablets, motherwort granules, angelica pills, and traditional Chinese medicines like Wujibai Fengwan (black chicken and silkie egg pill) can be taken under a doctor's guidance for regulation. It is also important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits and a positive mindset in daily life, avoiding late nights, excessive dieting, and reducing mental stress.

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Why is my menstrual period delayed by a month, and what should I do?

In general, the main causes of a one-month menstrual delay include excessive mental stress, extreme dieting, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and intrauterine adhesions. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular作息 schedule, avoid excessive fatigue, and maintain a balanced diet.