Going months without a period is not typically safe if it is an unexpected occurrence not caused by a natural life stage (like menopause or pregnancy) or intentional use of hormonal birth control. The absence of periods (amenorrhea) should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider, as it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition that could lead to long-term complications if left untreated.
If the length of your menstrual cycle is consistently different by seven days or more, you may be in early perimenopause. If you go 60 days or more between periods, you're likely in late perimenopause. If you go 12 months without a period and then start bleeding, talk to your healthcare professional right away.
Symptoms of early and premature menopause
Don't ignore unexpected missed periods
But if your regular menstrual cycle stops unexpectedly, there's a reason for concern. Don't let it go more than three months before you call your doctor.
Changes to your period
In addition to each period becoming further apart, you may also notice other variations in your menstrual bleeding that signal your final period is close including: Missed periods. Heavier or lighter periods. Longer or shorter periods.
During late perimenopause, menstrual cycles are much longer, sometimes over 60 days between periods. You may also notice an uptick in the intensity of other symptoms, such as hot flashes or night sweats, disrupted sleep, or vaginal dryness.
Phantom period in menopause
This happens because your hormones still fluctuate enough to trigger physical reactions but not menstruation. Your ovaries may produce estrogen that causes breast tenderness or mood swings during this time. However, the uterine lining does not build up enough to result in actual flow.
If amenorrhea lasts a long time, problems similar to those associated with menopause may develop. They include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased bone density (osteoporosis), and an increased risk of heart and blood vessel disorders.
Periods stop due to natural events like pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause, but also from lifestyle factors such as extreme weight changes, excessive exercise, and high stress, hormonal imbalances from conditions like PCOS or thyroid issues, certain medications (birth control, antidepressants), and underlying medical issues, all causing a condition called amenorrhea.
The first sign of the menopause is usually a change in the normal pattern of your periods. You may start having either unusually light or heavy periods. The frequency of your periods may also be affected. You may have one every two or three weeks, or you may not have one for months at a time.
Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, is often broken down into four overlapping stages focusing on menstrual cycle changes: the Late Reproductive Stage (slight cycle variations), Early Perimenopause (cycles vary by 7+ days), Late Perimenopause (cycles 60+ days apart, skipping periods), and finally, Menopause (12 months without a period), marking the end of perimenopause's hormonal fluctuations. Symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and brain fog can appear in any stage, though they often intensify in later stages as hormone drops become more significant, especially progesterone.
The short answer is yes, it's definitely possible to fall pregnant naturally during menopause. Even though fertility is lower than it would've been earlier in life, women can still get pregnant if they're sexually active (in a heterosexual relationship) and not using any form of birth control or contraception.
Periods will usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. They might be more irregular and become heavier or lighter. For some women, they can stop suddenly. Postmenopause is the time after a woman experiences her last period.
Causes of missed or late periods
Common causes of a missed or late period include: being pregnant. stress. the start of menopause (perimenopause), usually between the ages of 45 and 55.
A change in menstrual patterns and the appearance of hot flashes are usually the first signs. Although blood tests are not required, healthcare providers can run blood or urine tests to determine levels of the hormones estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Some people might have a less regular cycle, and experience a different cycle each month (this is often the case when girls first start their period). However, it can also be caused by things like stress, certain health conditions or pregnancy. Irregular periods can also be a sign of menopause.
Contact your GP if: your periods have not started by the time you're 16. you've missed more than 3 periods in a row but you're not pregnant. you've missed your period and have other symptoms such as weight gain, tiredness, hair growth on your face or acne.
With menopause, your ovaries make very little of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Because of changing hormone levels, you may develop certain health risks, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke. Menopause symptoms instead of period problems.
2. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI's) Some STI's, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, can cause changes in a woman's menstrual cycle like bleeding between periods or delayed/missed periods. Often, these STI's do not have any other symptoms, so this is important to look out for!
Some people find that their period returns within just a few months of increasing their food intake, reducing exercise intensity, or addressing stress. For others, especially if their cycle has been absent for a long time, the process can take closer to a year or more.
A variety of blood tests may be necessary, including:
Menopause is when periods stop for good. It's diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period, vaginal bleeding or spotting. Menopause can happen in the 40s or 50s. But the average age is 51 in the United States.
You'll know you've reached menopause when you've gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any type of vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Here are the top five vitamins essential for female wellness during menopause.
If you're experiencing symptoms but aren't sure what stage you're in, testing your hormones is the best way to find out. Our Advanced Hormone Test provides clear insights into your hormone levels, giving you the answers you need to take control of your symptoms.