Although in women with a regular menstrual cycle, it is considered normal for the period to take up to 10 days after the expected date, it is common for many of them to get nervous and worry if more time passes since they usually relate it to some situation It would be in the body, like anemia.
Worldwide, a quarter of the population is affected by anemia, and women of childbearing age are the second group with the highest incidence. The fact that it is a problem in the blood and that it can favor the presence of specific abnormalities makes women who have been diagnosed with this condition or suspect they have it wonder, can anemia delay the rule? And in this FastlyHealarticle, we provide you with this information.
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Main symptoms of anemia
When anemia is mild, the symptoms can go unnoticed and increase in intensity according to how low the concentration of hemoglobin or red blood cells is. In addition, there may be other symptoms typical of the disorder that is causing this alteration in the blood. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you must see a professional for treatment and to prevent the situation from worsening:
- Tiredness, even with slight physical exertion or for no apparent reason.
- Soft spot.
- Dizziness
- Pale or yellowish skin and mucous membranes.
- Headaches.
- Chest pain.
- Tachycardia, that is, the heart beats faster.
- Difficulty breathing or fast breathing.
Anemia and delayed menstruation
Anemia is commonly thought of as a disease, but in reality, it is a symptom caused by some alteration in the body. This condition in the blood is characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin that these blood cells contain, whose primary function is to deliver oxygen to the different tissues. Hemoglobin is made up of iron, to which oxygen adheres, so low levels of this hemoprotein in the blood result in deficient oxygenation.
It is well known that having a heavy period could be one of the causes of anemia. Still, it is also possible that in cases of intense or prolonged anemia, menstrual bleeding is reduced or that the period is delayed, even causing the absence of menstruation or amenorrhea. This occurs when the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin are insufficient to transport the necessary oxygen, which activates the body to prevent further losses of these blood components until they are restored to an adequate concentration.
In general, anemia can cause the period to be delayed, which usually happens when this alteration in the blood is in a more advanced state, either because timely treatment has not been received or because the disorder causing it is aggressive. The menstruation rarely takes in lowering if the anemia is mild, so it would be essential to check if there are no more symptoms or other conditions that could be causing this alteration.
Other causes that delay the period
In addition to anemia, other more frequent factors can alter the appearance of the period. Being essential to see a doctor if it exceeds the expected time without menstruation or if there are other symptoms such as pain. Among the most common causes of delays in lowering the rule are:
- The emotional states or psychological, especially being under stress, anxiety, nervousness, or depression, can upset the hormonal secretion.
- The overexertion.
- Eating a poor diet, deficient in iron, or losing weight very quickly could cause menstruation to appear after the expected date due to imbalances in the body.
- The same can happen for the consumption of certain drugs, for example, contraceptive pills, although some menstrual delays can occur after stopping these products.
- Likewise, suppose you have had unprotected sexual intercourse after the last menstruation. In that case, the delay in the period may be due to pregnancy. Even using a contraceptive method they are not 100% effective, and to rule it out, it is necessary to perform the corresponding test.
On the other hand, the woman’s age is a factor to consider, since if less than three years have passed since she began to menstruate, the delay in it may be because it has not yet been fully adjusted. If, on the other hand, you are over 39 years of age, the delay in lowering your period could be an indication that you are close to menopause. A menstrual delay is considered normal in both situations, but it is advisable to see the professional rule out any other alteration.
Some diseases could still be why menstruation is late, especially those related to the female reproductive system, such as ovarian cysts, or those that can alter the production of hormones, such as thyroid problems. There are usually other accompanying symptoms in these cases that it is crucial to know how to detect to inform the medical consultation.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can anemia delay my period? We recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.