What are the harms of a twenty-day delayed menstruation?

Generally, if menstruation is delayed by twenty days and pregnancy is ruled out, it may pose various health risks, mainly including masking underlying diseases, affecting fertility, exacerbating endocrine disorders, increasing the risk of gynecological inflammation, and causing emotional and lifestyle disturbances. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Masking underlying diseases: A twenty-day menstrual delay could be a signal of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diminished ovarian reserve, or endometritis. If not promptly investigated, continued delay may obscure early symptoms of these diseases, delaying diagnosis and increasing treatment difficulty.

2. Impacting fertility: Long-term menstrual delay can disrupt ovulation patterns and even lead to anovulation. For women desiring pregnancy, abnormal ovulation directly reduces the chance of conception and increases the risk of infertility. Even for those without fertility plans, prolonged ovulatory dysfunction may impair ovarian function.

3. Exacerbating endocrine disorders: Menstruation is regulated by the endocrine system, and a twenty-day delay itself indicates hormonal imbalance. Without timely intervention, this imbalance may worsen, potentially causing skin deterioration, abnormal weight fluctuations, hair loss, and other issues.

4. Increasing the risk of gynecological inflammation: Prolonged absence of menstruation may cause continuous endometrial thickening. Remaining in a hyperplastic state long-term could lead to excessive endometrial proliferation, increasing the likelihood of gynecological inflammations such as endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease, which may present with symptoms like abnormal vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pressure.

5. Causing emotional and lifestyle disturbances: A twenty-day menstrual delay may cause anxiety, irritability, and other negative emotions, as women worry about their health. Meanwhile, an unpredictable menstrual cycle may disrupt daily planning, reduce quality of life, and even have ongoing effects on mental health.

When menstruation is delayed by twenty days, it is recommended to first rule out pregnancy. If pregnancy is excluded, adjustments should be made to sleep patterns, avoiding late nights, maintaining regular meals, and reducing intake of spicy or cold foods. Additionally, emotional well-being should be managed through exercise, listening to music, and avoiding excessive anxiety.