Missed or Skipped Periods (Amenorrhoea): Causes and Workup
Reading time: about 6 minutes. This article is educational and does not replace an individual consultation.
Missing a period — when you are not pregnant — or having periods stop altogether can be unsettling. Often there is a straightforward, reversible explanation, but sometimes it points to something worth investigating. This article explains the common causes of missed or absent periods and when to get checked.
Who this article is for
This is for women in Ahmedabad and Gujarat whose periods have become infrequent or stopped, and who want to understand why.
First things first: rule out pregnancy
The most common reason for a missed period in a woman of reproductive age is pregnancy, so a pregnancy test is the sensible first step before considering other causes [Source: ACOG patient guidance on amenorrhoea].
What absent periods are called
When periods are absent, doctors use the term amenorrhoea. If you have never started periods by the expected age, that is primary amenorrhoea; if periods that were previously present stop for several months, that is secondary amenorrhoea. The causes and assessment differ slightly between the two [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
Common causes
- Hormonal conditions such as PCOS and thyroid disorders, which commonly disrupt cycles.
- Raised prolactin, a hormone that can stop periods and is checkable with a blood test.
- Stress, significant weight loss, low body weight, or intensive exercise, which can switch off the hormonal signals that drive ovulation — often reversible once addressed.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Perimenopause as a natural life stage, and, in younger women, early decline of ovarian function (primary ovarian insufficiency), which needs assessment.
- Some medicines and contraceptives.
Because the causes range from benign and reversible to ones that need treatment, persistent absence of periods deserves assessment [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
How it is evaluated
Assessment usually starts with a pregnancy test and a history, followed by blood tests (such as thyroid function, prolactin, and other hormones) and an ultrasound where appropriate. The aim is to find the cause efficiently rather than to over-test [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
Why it matters beyond fertility
Long-term absence of periods can have implications beyond fertility — for example, very low oestrogen over time can affect bone health — which is another reason not to ignore persistently absent periods [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
What to ask
- Could a hormonal condition such as PCOS, thyroid, or raised prolactin be the cause?
- Could stress, weight, or exercise be contributing?
- What tests do I need, and what do they check?
- Are there longer-term health aspects to consider?
Menstrual health care in Ahmedabad
Absent or very infrequent periods are worth a proper look. Balaji Horizon Women’s Hospital, on Science City Road in Ahmedabad, evaluates missed and absent periods to find the cause — hormonal, lifestyle, or otherwise — and addresses both symptoms and long-term health.
When to seek advice
See a doctor if you miss periods for several months (with pregnancy excluded), if your periods have stopped, or if absent periods come with other symptoms such as milky nipple discharge, excessive hair growth, or hot flushes [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
A note on next steps
For assessment of missed or absent periods, our team can help. Read more on our menstrual disorders and PCOS pages.
Frequently asked questions
I am not pregnant, why have my periods stopped?
Common reasons include hormonal conditions such as PCOS or thyroid disorders, raised prolactin, and lifestyle factors such as stress, weight change, or intensive exercise. Persistent absence of periods deserves assessment to find the cause [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
Can stress stop my periods?
Yes. Significant stress, low body weight, or intensive exercise can switch off the hormonal signals that drive ovulation, leading to absent periods. This is often reversible once the underlying factor is addressed.
When should I worry about a missed period?
After excluding pregnancy, see a doctor if you miss periods for several months, your periods stop, or absent periods come with symptoms such as milky discharge, excess hair growth, or hot flushes [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
Can absent periods affect my health long-term?
Prolonged absence of periods with very low oestrogen can affect bone health over time, which is one reason not to ignore it. Identifying and treating the cause protects long-term wellbeing [Source: ACOG patient guidance].
Will my periods come back?
Often, yes — particularly when the cause is reversible, such as stress or weight-related. Treatment is directed at the underlying cause, and your doctor can advise on what to expect for your situation.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a qualified gynaecologist.
