Period Symptoms But No Period

Period symptoms, also known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), are the symptoms experienced 1 or 2 weeks before a woman starts menstruating. The symptoms may vary from one woman to another.

Some women may experience mild symptoms which may disappear once the periods start, whereas the others may experience moderate to severe symptoms that may interfere with their day-to-day activities. There is also a possibility that a woman may not have period symptoms at all.

Following are some of the PMS symptoms:

• Acne
• Stomach bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Weight gain
• Tiredness
• Lack of sex drive
• Mood swings
• Lack of concentration
• Depression
• Feeling of staying aloof
• Headaches

Despite showing the symptoms, women who do not get their periods often associate this condition with pregnancy; however, this is not always true.

Following are the probable causes, other than pregnancy, that may lead to a missed or delayed period:

Women who are under mental or physical stress may experience menstruation symptoms without bleeding. It is hard to realize, but stress does disturb the monthly cycle.

Women taking birth-control pills may experience absence or delay in their periods due to hormonal imbalance.

Diabetic women and those affected by hypertension may experience symptoms without bleeding as their medications may interfere with regular-menstrual cycles.

A well-balanced diet is important for normal functioning of the body. Therefore, deficiency of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the diet may lead to irregular menstrual cycle.

Low levels of hemoglobin in the blood may also lead to decreased or no menstrual bleeding.

For women in their late 40s or early 50s, PMS symptoms without periods may be an indication of the beginning of menopause, which is the permanent end of a woman's monthly menstruation cycle. During the initial phase of menopause, the periods may stop for a while and then start again.

Following disorders may also be the probable causes for these symptoms:

• Diabetes: This chronic illness can affect the normal hormonal functions.

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): In this hormonal disorder, multiple cysts (fluid-filled sacs) are formed along the outer edge of the ovaries.
• Premature ovarian failure: In this disorder, which is also known as premature menopause, the ovaries stop working before the age of 40.

• Ectopic pregnancy: This is a pregnancy-related complication, wherein the implantation of the fertilized egg takes place outside the uterus, for example, the fallopian tubes.
• Bulimia: This is a serious eating disorder, wherein a person keeps eating large amounts of food and then tries to get rid of excess weight by vomiting or using laxatives.

Strenuous exercises, sudden changes in body weight, obesity, etc., may affect the functioning of the hormones and lead to missed or delayed periods.

Although this condition is not a serious health issue, some women might experience a considerable delay in their periods accompanied by worsening of the symptoms. Such women should consult a gynecologist to determine the underlying cause of this condition.

Disclaimer: This post is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.