I Haven’t Had My Period In 2 Months; Am I Pregnant?

Question: I haven’t had my period in 2 months; Am I Pregnant?

After days, weeks and months, you now realize there may be a medical problem that stops your period from coming. Doctors call this amenorrhea – when your period has stopped for several months. ACOG+1

While this might be true for some girls, there are other natural reasons why your period may be absent for 2, 3 or 4 months.

Depending on your age, hormones may not be secreted the usual way.

The human body secretes many hormones which can be affected by your lifestyle – sleeping patterns, excessive exercise, overeating, not eating as required, and stress.

Sometimes, traveling a long distance or losing weight very fast may cause hormone irregularity.

If you have missed 3 periods in a row and you are not pregnant, most guidelines advise that you see a doctor to find out the cause, even if you feel fine. ACOG

Having said that, the commonest reason your period will disappear for months in women who are sexually active is pregnancy. Women who are in their reproductive ages and having regular sex may get pregnant without even knowing.

Other possible reasons are medications you’re on – emergency pills after sex, combined contraceptive pills, and other hormonal methods (injections, implants, hormonal IUDs), complications of abortion, breastfeeding after delivery, or a procedure – hysterectomy, where the uterus is surgically removed. nhs.uk+1

This article explains the most likely reasons your period haven’t shown up in months, what to do and when to worry.

---

I haven’t had my period in 2 months; Here’s why

1. You are probably expecting a baby

Pregnancy is the commonest reason why period may disappear for months. This is because, during pregnancy, regular menstruation stops.

Before pregnancy, most women’s period will come every 28 days. It could be longer or shorter. However, if your period stops coming after unprotected sex with your partner, pregnancy is one of the first things you should rule out.

Sometimes, you may not notice any pregnancy signs. A patient and now a close friend never realized she was pregnant till after four months. In fact, she visited the hospital because she had a low appetite and abdominal cramps.

Here are some symptoms that you may have ignored or gone unnoticed:

• Getting weak quickly

• Sudden food dislike

• Spotting before your missed period

• Cramps after missing your period for months

• Unexplained weight gain

• Increased desire for a new type of meal

• Change or routine pleasure activities and mood

• Getting restless and worried

• Breast soreness and swelling

• Your boobs now hurt and feel heavy

• Nipple itching

• Legs get swollen

• You are frequently urinating than usual

• Increased milky, clear vaginal discharge

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so they do not prove you are pregnant on their own.

So what step should you take?

If pregnant, you must not panic. Most women who miss pregnancy signs may not have planned for a baby. Now you should talk to your doctor or midwife, especially if you have the above symptoms.

In most cases, you may have tested negative for pregnancy some weeks ago. This is possible if you tested very early or used the test incorrectly. At 2–3 months into a pregnancy, it is usually very easy to confirm with a urine test, blood test or ultrasound.

I recommend the First Response pregnancy kit for women because it is remarkably sensitive and reliable, but any good-quality home pregnancy test used correctly can work. If your test is still negative and you have missed your period for 2–3 months, your missed period is likely due to one of the other causes below and you should see your doctor to be checked.

---

2. Drugs you are currently taking

Preventing pregnancy may sometimes come with its side effects. Birth control pills are common both in the United Kingdom and the United States. A lot of women uses them for several reasons.

Sometimes, depending on whichever pills you’re on, menstruation may cease from coming.

Traditionally, most pills require you take them for 21 days and a free 7 days where you are on placebo or no pill at all. This type of pills will not stop your period from coming for months.

However, the new kinds of birth control pills or inserts may end period for a long time. Seasonale contraceptives are well-known around the world and can stop menstruation for about 84 days (4 months). Extended-cycle pills and some hormonal IUDs, implants or injections can make your periods very light or stop completely, and this can be medically safe for many women. Cleveland Clinic

Before taking any medication, it’s important to know how they could affect your health. Talk to your doctor and ask many other questions as required.

On the other hand, not being compliant with your pills will not prevent pregnancy. These pills demand you take them every day and at the same time. If you’ve not been compliant or missed your injection, chances are, you may be pregnant and should do a test.

---

3. Perimenopause / Menopause

Perimenopause simply means years before a woman’s period will stop (menopause). During the time, your body begins to prepare for menopause.

If you are already in your mid-40s or older and haven’t had period for 2 months, it may be due to natural changes that occur as you grow older, but you should still rule out pregnancy and other causes. Perimenopause usually starts between 45 and 55 years. nhs.uk

During your reproductive years, your ovaries produce follicles that rupture to release an egg during ovulation. As you get towards menopause, the number of follicles reduces.

These follicle helps to produce estrogen and progesterone which are usually involved in regulation of menstruation.

Due to a reduction in these hormones, ovulation process is delayed resulting in absent period for months.

Other symptoms you may experience years before menopause are:

• Thinning of bones over time (osteoporosis), which can increase the risk of fractures later in life

• Hot flashes

• Decreased appetite for sex

• Vaginal dryness

• A painful sexual intercourse

However, should your period not come for 12 consecutive months, it’s likely due to menopause. The average age for menopause is 51 years, though it could occur early.

---

4. Premature ovarian insufficiency (early ovarian failure)

Just like perimenopause, where follicles get depleted naturally as you grow older, premature ovarian insufficiency happens when the ovaries stop working properly much earlier than usual (before age 40). AAFP

Symptoms are similar and include:

• Difficulty conceiving in your 30’s

• Night sweats

• Dry vagina with trauma during sex

• Mood changes

• Low attention span

• Irregular or skipped period

This is different from normal menopause and should always be checked carefully by your doctor.

If you are in your 30’s and yet to get period for 2 or 3 months, it’s important to schedule a meeting with your doctor.

---

5. Hypothalamic dysfunction

You may not have heard of the hypothalamus, but it has a lot to do with ovulation, period and release of many other hormones.

The hypothalamus is found in the brain and helps regulate your period by secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Decreased secretion of this hormone may occur due to emotional heartbreaks or stress, anorexia nervosa, sleepless nights, chronic physical stress and severe weight loss. Doctors sometimes call this hypothalamic amenorrhea. Cleveland Clinic+1

Depending on the cause, adjusting your lifestyle may ease and return your period. Women that undergo so much stress should find time to relax, exercise regularly or talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

Extreme exercise with substantial loss of body weight may affect the hypothalamic release of hormones. You can exercise regularly but not outside your limits.

---

6. After an abortion

Did you recently terminate an unwanted pregnancy?

After an abortion, your body needs some time to adjust, so do your hormones. Most women will have period return within 4 to 8 weeks after an abortion, and Planned Parenthood gives a similar timeframe. Medical News Today+1

However, absent period after an abortion may be signs of a complication. Rarely, a surgical termination through D & C can lead to scar tissue inside the uterus (intrauterine adhesions). This is called Asherman syndrome and may cause light periods or no period at all. Cleveland Clinic+

If your period has not returned 8 weeks after an abortion, or your pregnancy test is still positive, it’s necessary to consult your doctor or the clinic where you had the procedure.

---

7. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Your hormones, the way you look, your menstrual cycle and period could be affected if you have polycystic ovaries.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is caused by a hormone imbalance (especially higher male-type hormones called androgens and problems with insulin). Irregular or delayed periods, weight gain, acne, thinning hair on the scalp and increased facial or body hair are common symptoms. In the long term it can increase your risk of diabetes and high cholesterol if it is not managed. ACOG+2Mayo Clinic+2

Very strong “male-type” changes such as a suddenly deep voice or rapidly growing muscles are less common and should be checked urgently, as they may point to another hormone problem.

Talk to your doctor about treatment options.

---

Still worried why you haven’t had period for 2, 3 months? Ask us, but also book an appointment with your doctor so you can be examined and have basic blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound if needed. If you have gone more than 3 months without a period (or more than 6 months if your cycles were always irregular), please see your doctor or gynecologist to find out what is going on. ACOG+1