Why does menstruation often get delayed, and what should be done?
Sep 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
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.
Generally, frequent menstrual delays may be caused by excessive mental stress, irregular作息 patterns, endocrine disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), intrauterine adhesions, and other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause and proceed with appropriate interventions under a physician's guidance, such as general treatment, medication, or surgical treatment to improve the condition. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Excessive Mental Stress: Prolonged anxiety and tension can interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis function, affecting hormone secretion and causing menstrual delay. Stress can be relieved through physical activity, listening to music, maintaining emotional stability, communicating with family and friends, and seeking psychological counseling when necessary to help restore normal endocrine function.
2. Irregular作息 Patterns: Long-term sleep deprivation or reversed day-night cycles can disrupt the rhythm of hormone secretion, leading to menstrual cycle disorders. Adjust your作息 schedule by sleeping and waking at consistent times daily, ensuring 7–8 hours of sleep; avoid using electronic devices before bedtime, create a favorable sleep environment, and regulate hormone levels through consistent作息 habits.
3. Endocrine Disorders: Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone secretion can lead to abnormal ovulation and menstrual delay. Patients should follow medical advice to take medications such as dydrogesterone tablets, progesterone soft capsules, or medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets to supplement progesterone and regulate the menstrual cycle.
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Elevated androgen levels and ovulation disorders can cause frequent menstrual delays or even amenorrhea, often accompanied by hirsutism and obesity. Patients should follow medical guidance to use medications such as ethinylestradiol/cyproterone acetate tablets, drospirenone/ethinylestradiol tablets, or desogestrel/ethinylestradiol tablets to reduce androgen levels and regulate hormone balance.
5. Intrauterine Adhesions: Uterine surgery or inflammation can cause endometrial adhesion, blocking menstrual blood flow and leading to menstrual delay. Mild adhesions may be treated with medications such as estradiol valerate tablets, conjugated estrogens tablets, or progesterone capsules under medical supervision to promote endometrial repair. Severe adhesions require hysteroscopic lysis of intrauterine adhesions to separate the adhesions, restore normal uterine structure, and improve menstrual conditions.
In daily life, it is important to stay warm and avoid cold exposure; regularly monitor hormone levels and undergo gynecological ultrasound to track disease progression, adjust treatment plans timely, and maintain a stable menstrual cycle.
