Symptom Guide · Missed Period
I missed my period — what now?
A missed period triggers one immediate question, but pregnancy is only one of many possible reasons. Here is how to think it through calmly, and when it is time to get checked.
What should I do first if my period is late?
If there is any chance of pregnancy, take a home urine pregnancy test — they are reliable from about the day of the missed period, and most accurate with the first morning urine. If it is negative and your period still has not come a week later, repeat the test. Two negative tests make pregnancy very unlikely.
What causes a missed period besides pregnancy?
Stress, significant weight change, intense exercise, recent illness, travel, PCOS, thyroid disorders, raised prolactin, and certain medicines (including emergency contraception) can all delay or stop periods. After 40, skipped periods are often the start of perimenopause. Breastfeeding also commonly suppresses periods.
How many missed periods are too many?
Missing one period occasionally is usually nothing serious. But if you have gone three months without a period and are not pregnant or breastfeeding, see a gynaecologist. Long gaps without a period are not just inconvenient — over time they can affect bone health and the uterine lining, depending on the cause.
Can PCOS cause missed periods?
Yes — PCOS is the most common cause of infrequent or absent periods in young women. In PCOS, ovulation happens irregularly or not at all, so periods become unpredictable or stop. Look for accompanying signs: acne, excess facial or body hair, weight gain, or thinning scalp hair. An ultrasound and blood tests confirm the diagnosis.
What will the doctor do for absent periods?
A history and examination, a pregnancy test if relevant, thyroid and hormone blood tests, and a pelvic ultrasound. Treatment depends entirely on the cause — and in most cases, periods can be restored to a regular pattern once the underlying issue is addressed.
See a doctor promptly if you have
- No period for 3 months or more (not pregnant or breastfeeding)
- Missed periods with severe lower abdominal pain (rule out ectopic pregnancy if test is positive)
- Missed periods with milky discharge from the breasts
- Missed periods with acne, excess hair growth, or rapid weight change
- A positive pregnancy test — book an early antenatal visit
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Only a consultation and examination can tell you what is causing your symptoms.
Worried about this symptom?
Consult Dr. Madhumita Das Mazumdar — MD (OBG), 30+ years of experience — at the clinic in Beltola, Guwahati, or on WhatsApp from anywhere in Assam.