In most cases, a missed period for 2 months would most likely mean you are pregnant, but that isn't always the case. Your period being late or even missed can be due to a number of reasons. No matter what, it will inevitably make you a little nervous. This article will help you understand the different reasons that may make you miss your period. There are also some helpful tips you can try to get your cycles regulated again. You should always consult your doctor to make sure you aren't pregnant and rule out any other serious health conditions before trying any home remedies.
Does a Missed Period for 2 Months Mean I'm Pregnant?
When you are pregnant, your menstrual periods will stop. However, a missed period doesn't always mean you're pregnant. If you're wondering whether you might be pregnant, there are a few points that point to a possible pregnancy. These include:
- You were actively trying to get pregnant in the months before.
- You ovulated prior to your period's stopping.
- You had sexual intercourse in the ovulation window (around day 14 of your cycle).
- You were sexually active and not using birth control.
If all of the above points are true, then you have a good chance of being pregnant.
Signs of Early Pregnancy
The only way to truly know if you're pregnant is a positive pregnancy test and confirmation by a doctor. However, there are a few signs that may give clues to a possible pregnancy. If a missed period for 2 months is due to pregnancy, you'll start feeling the symptoms below around the four-week mark. Some women even notice subtle changes sooner than four-weeks.
- Breast tenderness
- Breast fullness (feeling like your bra is too tight)
- Nausea
- Lower abdominal bloating and fullness
- Feeling short of breath with exercise
- Sensitive to smells
- Feeling tired all the time
- Needing to urinate more often
- Higher than normal body temperature
- Dizziness
- Food cravings
- Constipation
Other Reasons You May Have a Missed Period for 2 Months
On average, women have a period every 28 days give or take a few days. A menstrual cycle can last anywhere from 21 to 35 days. If you have longer cycles closer to 35 days, you may only have around 11 cycles in a year and if you have shorter cycles, you may have as many as 13. It is possible due to other reasons to have late periods, including:
1. Breastfeeding Your New Baby
Even though you are no longer pregnant, breastfeeding can stall the return of your monthly periods. This is because hormones that assist with milk production suppress the menstrual hormones. Periods may be gone until you start to wean your baby. Use caution because you can still ovulate and get pregnant unknowingly during this time.
2. Stress
Stress can cause the monthly period to cease for an undetermined amount of time and/or until the stressful situation is over. This is because stress can cause the hypothalamus to stop producing hormones associated with the menstrual cycle.
3. Obesity or Extreme Weight Loss
Too many fat cells increase estrogen production and too little fat cells means too little estrogen. Both cases can cause the period cycles to stop until the estrogen comes back into balance.
4. Perimenopause or Menopause
This is the time in a woman's life when the periods cease for good. Perimenopause can happen as early as the mid-thirties and menopause can occur anytime between 40 and 50 years of age. During perimenopause, you may miss an occasional period or two and menopause occurs when your periods have not returned for more than a year.
5. Contraceptives
There are some birth control methods that actually halt the periods and lead to missed period for 2 months. These include Depo-Provera injections and the Norplant device. Some birth control pills may make you miss a cycle or two once in a while.
6. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Also known as PCOS, This hormonal disorder prevents ovulation and may even prevent a regular monthly period. Other symptoms of this disorder include elevated blood sugar, obesity in some women, excess body hair growth and infertility.
7. Thyroid Disease
If you have hypothyroid or hyperthyroid disease, the hormone imbalances can alter your menstrual cycles. Other symptoms include hair loss, shaky hands, weight loss or gain, fatigue, and brain fog (memory loss or trouble thinking clearly).
8. Reproductive System Abnormalities
Scarring from uterine surgery, congenital defects of the uterus, and an obstruction of the opening to the vagina can cause obstruction of normal monthly bleeding.
What to Do If You Have a Missed Period for 2 Months
If you miss your period for 2 months in a row, you should connect with your doctor to see if everything is okay. You can also try a few things at home first:
1. Take a Pregnancy Test
After the first month passes, take a home pregnancy test when you are around two weeks late for your period. You can buy these online or at any drugstore. If the test is positive, give your doctor a call for confirmation. If the test is negative, give it a few more weeks then re-test.
2. Change Your Lifestyle
Have you started a new birth control method? Are you under a lot of stress? Have you lost or gained weight? One of the above causes may be the issue and you may be able to make some changes in your lifestyle that will help balance your cycles.
3. Call Your Doctor
If you don't have a period after two or three months, you need to call your doctor. Going longer than two months is abnormal and you will need to be evaluated. The doctor will diagnose the cause and you may need medical treatment.