Missed Periods: When to See a Doctor

by Afaque Ghumro

It is always a cause of worry when a woman notes that she has not had her period as she would have expected. It is thus important for women to know that while irregular or missed periods may be quite common it can also be a symptom of a certain disease. They often advise on the appropriate time to consult a physician so as to avoid a worsening of the symptoms.

Possible Causes of Amenorrhea

Several factors can cause missed periods, including:

  • Stress: When stressed, hormonal balance is altered and this causes breakages or even absence of periods.
  • Weight Changes: This is true because weight loss or even weight gain lead to changes in your menstrual cycle. Such causes as stress or fad diets that include extremely low or problematic eating habits such as anorexia may also cause them as well.
  • Exercise: This is particularly so in athletes whereby hormonal changes brought about by the physical exertion that they undergo causes them to miss their periods.
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This is a fairly usual issue and it may have several impacts on hormones, including the missed or irregular periods.
  • Thyroid Issues: Hypothyroidism has been known to disrupt the menstrual cycles as well as hyperthyroidism.
  • Pregnancy: One of the causes of a missed period you should know is pregnancy, especially if you are sexually active.
  • Perimenopause: The change of the menstrual cycle during the menopausal period can make one have an irregular menstrual cycle till the time she no longer starts menstruating.
  • Contraceptive Use: What some contraceptives do is that they can result in missing periods or periods that are lighter in color.

When to see a Doctor

If you’ve missed a period and aren’t sure why, it’s essential to monitor your symptoms and consider seeing a gynecologist in karachi in the following situations:

  • Pregnancy Suspicion: If you think that you might be pregnant due to missed period, have a home pregnancy test. If the test is positive for the viral load recommendation made may involve organizing appointments with a doctor for further examination and antenatal clinic attendance.
  • Missed Three or More Periods: If you have not taken a pregnancy test and you have missed your three periods in a row you may be advised to go see a doctor. It may also mean you have PCOS or thyroid issues.
  • Severe Symptoms: It is when a woman is experiencing other symptoms such as severe pains, very heavy or bluish vaginal bleeding, or abnormal discharge which might be associated with sickle cell anemia or some venereal disease, which might be serious if not treated.
  • Menstrual Irregularity with Other Symptoms: If you also have any other symptoms such as loss of weight, loss of hair, excess hairiness they could be hormonal imbalance or other illness that need the attention of a doctor.
  • Menstrual Cycle Changes: If the periods were previously coming every month and stop coming, or come irregularly to the woman, then it is high time to go to the doctor.
  • Fertility Concerns: If the lady is a candidate for pregnancy and she is spotting or not spotting, the issue of fertility can be diagnosed by a doctor.

What To Expect On Your Doctor Visit

If a woman gets to the hospital complaining of missing her periods, the doctor or gynecologist will inquire about the patient’s previous medical and family history and any other signs that she has. They may do tests such as a physical exam and may also do a pelvic exam; they may order blood tests or an ultrasound to help determine the cause.

Conclusion

It is quite unnerving to miss a period, but by now knowing most of the causes of this and who to see a gynecologist in Islamabad, it reduces the stress. It is also good if in any instance you are not very sure of the procedures to follow, kindly seek medical advice. The health of your menstruation is a vital part of your health in general, and advice from a doctor must not be delayed.

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