What Causes Delayed Periods?

Posted on Wed, 2 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 2 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. I am a female of age 26 yrs and am trying to conceive. I have hypthyroid which is under control Tsh-2.345. T3 and T4 are also normal. Also I have lost some weight recently as I go for walking daily.My periods used to be irregular but from last 2-3 cycles they are regular with a span of 30-35 days. But now it is 40 days and still no periods. I generally get sore breasts as PMS which start 15 days before periods, but I have not got them this time yet. I did the pregnancy test now in evening and it came out negative. Can u please guide what should be done?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Repeat the pregnancy test after one week

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I have gone though your question and understand your concerns. Delayed periods can be due to pregnancy or hormonal disturbances like hypothyroidism in your case.
Ovulation is sometimes a bit delayed in hypothyroid patient, and in that case the conception is also delayed. If this is the condition, then urine pregnancy tests will come positive a bit later.Therefore, I will suggest you to repeat your urine pregnancy test after one week. If still negative, then you can take meprate tablet for inducing the periods and get your thyroid hormone levels and prolactin levels done to assess the need to revise your treatment.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
You can communicate with me directly by asking a direct question to me on health care magic portal.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (39 hours later)

Hi dr. I got my periods last evening. Should I get some tests done? I want to conceive as early as possible. Please provide some suggestions

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Investigations as mentioned below

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, you should get the following tests:
1.Husband's semen analysis after3 days of abstinence.
2. Chest X Ray PA view
3. Complete blood count including ESR
4. Thyroid hormone levels
5. Serum prolactin
6. Follicular monitoring from Day 9 of cycle.
Please do get back to me with these reports, so that I can guide you further.
You can get back to me with the information by asking a direct question to me on health care magic portal.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (31 hours later)

Hello Dr. I have a few questions? Can husband give semen sample if we have not had any relationship from around 20 days? Or it should be just 3 days abstinence? And can these tests be done from Thyrocare lab? There is a huge difference in the price of Thyrocare and other labs? Thyrocare prices are quite low. But I am not sure about its authenticity.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, semen sample should be given only after 3 days of abstinence, as prolonged abstinence or no abstinence prior to giving samples can lead to alteration in the sperm count in the sample.
Thyrocare lab is the authentic lab in my experience, you can get these investigations from there.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Please do get back to me with these reports, so that I can guide you further.
You can get back to me with the information by asking a direct question to me on health care magic portal.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (16 minutes later)

Can I get these tests done tomorrow? It's the 3rd day of my periods.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, yes you can get these investigations done tomorrow.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar