When you missed your period, are you Pregnant?

Having a regular menstrual cycle is usually a sign of good health. When you have a late period or missed period it could be a sign that something is up. There are many different reasons for late periods but if the problem continues for more than one menstrual cycle, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the issue.

A missed or late period occassionally means a pregnancy. But if you are sexually active and misses a period you should take a pregnancy test. If you think that you are taking birth control pill and you don't need to take a pregnancy test for a late or missed period, then you are wrong. Birth control pills can fail sometimes. You must rule out any possibilities of the late or missed period due to pregnancy having a pregnancy test.

If you are sure that you are not sexually active, or the pregnancy test is negative, then consider that whether your body weight has gained or lost a significant amout, have been under excessive stress, taking medications. All of these things can affect your menstrual cycle or cause you to have irregular periods. Additionally, certain types of birth control, including the birth control pill, Depo-Provera and Norplant, can cause you to have menstrual cycles disturbances.

Any woman who is under excessive stress, rapid weight loss or gain, illness, drugs (certain tranquilizers) may have disrupted cycle. Active sexual relationship may be the cause of pregnancy and the skipped period. If pill brand is too low in estrogen, it may be the other cause of skipped period. common side effect of progestin-only methods of birth control drug is probably suppressing ovulation as well as period, effect may be prolonged; most common among new users of Norplant and long-term users of Depo-Provera.

If you missed ovulation the period may be ligher or shorter. In some cases of early pregnancy some bleeding may occur on implantation; ectopic pregnancy especially if accompanied by sharp pain on one side. Less endometrial build up, a common Pill side-effect may be the one of the causes of short period. Use of contraceptive pills like Mini-Pill, Norplant, or Depo-Provera probably not suppressing ovulation if periods are regular.

If you face regular heavy and longer perid it may be due to fibroids (benign uterine growth). If you are sexually active and you are pregnant there is a possibility of misscarriage. If you use an IU, the device may have irritated the uterine wall, a common IUD side effec. If you are using Mini-Pill, Norplant, or Depo-Provera for a long term, longer periods are a common side effect; heavier periods are a less common side effect, but iron supplements or discontinuation may be necessary.

If you are under stress; having an infection, cyst, or polyp of the cervix, vagina, or uterus you may bleed or spot between the period. If you are a first pill users, breakthrough bleeding, common in first few months of use, may indicate brand of Pill is not right for user. Another reason behind the bleeding or spotting is that you have missed one pill or have taken one late. If you are pregnant hormone fluctuations in first trimester can cause spotting