My period has been delayed for several days.

Delayed menstruation may be caused by physiological or pathological factors. Common causes include mental stress, excessive dieting, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, premature ovarian insufficiency, etc. It is recommended to clarify the cause by adjusting your lifestyle, seeing a doctor to check your hormone levels, or having an ultrasound.

1. Mental pressure

Long-term anxiety or stress may inhibit hypothalamic function, leading to reduced secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn affects follicular development and ovulation. Typical manifestations include prolonged menstrual cycles but no other discomfort. It can be relieved through mindfulness meditation and regular work and rest, without the need for drug intervention. If there is no improvement for more than 3 months, other causes need to be investigated.

2. Excessive dieting

Excessive weight loss in the short term will reduce leptin levels and affect the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. It is common in women with a body mass index lower than 18.5, accompanied by fatigue and hair loss. It is necessary to gradually restore a balanced diet, increase the daily caloric intake by 300-500 calories, and give priority to high-quality protein such as eggs and fish.

3. Polycystic ovary syndrome

The disease is associated with insulin resistance and manifests as oligoovulation and hyperandrogenism. It may be accompanied by hirsutism, acne, and ultrasound shows polycystic ovarian changes. You can use ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone tablets as directed by your doctor to regulate the cycle, and use metformin tablets to improve metabolism. Long-term management is required to prevent endometrial lesions.

4. Abnormal thyroid function

Thyroid-stimulating hormone is elevated in hypothyroidism, which can interfere with gonadotropin secretion. Patients often suffer from cold sensitivity and constipation, and laboratory tests show that TSH exceeds 4.0mIU/L. Levothyroxine sodium tablets are the main treatment drug. During the medication period, the three items of thyroid function need to be regularly monitored and the dosage adjusted.

5. Premature ovarian insufficiency

Follicular depletion before the age of 40 can lead to oligomenorrhea to amenorrhea and may be related to chromosomal abnormalities or autoimmune diseases. Typical symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and AMH detection values ​​below 1.1ng/ml. Estradiol tablets/estradiol dydrogesterone tablets need to be used for hormone replacement therapy.

It is recommended to record the past 3 menstrual cycles and avoid excessive exercise or sudden changes in eating habits. If it is delayed for more than 2 weeks or is accompanied by abnormal bleeding or abdominal pain, timely gynecological consultation is required. You can eat an appropriate amount of phytoestrogen foods such as flax seeds and soy milk every day, and maintain 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week to help endocrine regulation. Be careful not to take progesterone capsules and other drugs to induce menstruation without authorization. Standard treatment is required after professional evaluation.