Dear Alice, I usually get my period every three weeks. But it
has been 5 weeks now and I haven't gotten it. Pregnancy is not an
option because I haven't had any sexual intercourse. So what is
the problem? Should I be worried? --Missing monthlies
Dear Missing monthlies,
Missing a menstrual period is a lot more common than most people
realize. It often occurs as a result of undergoing a lot of
stress, which is certainly possible at this time of year at
Columbia. Stress can disrupt the normal hormonal balance in your
body, causing your period to come late, or skip for one month.
Some other typical causes of missed periods include undergoing any
major changes in your life, such as moving, starting a new job or
a new romance, or changed eating or exercise habits. Losing a
significant amount of weight can also cause you to miss a
menstrual period. Don't be worried at this point. If you find that
this condition persists over the next couple of months, you should
make an appointment with a health care provider to try to determine
the cause of your amenorrhea.
- Alice
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Missed period, not pregnant
