A missed period may or may not mean you’re pregnant.Since a vague answer is probably not helpful,a pregnancy testand a doctor’s visit are your two best first steps for clarity. However, this quiz can help you identify other factors that could be impacting your menstrual cycle so you know what to ask about during an appointment.Reasons Why You Might’ve Missed Your PeriodStress, extreme exercise, rapid weight gain, and being underweight are all non-pregnancy-related reasons you might miss a period. So are many reproductive health conditions, likepolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and ovarian cysts.Age and life stages can mess with your menstrual cycle, too. Adolescents who are just getting their period may not have a regular cycle for up to three years.People who breastfeed may not experience ovulation for about six months after giving birth and, therefore, not get a period.And if you’re nearing the end of your productive years—think 40s—your lack of a period could beperimenopause.

A missed period may or may not mean you’re pregnant.

Since a vague answer is probably not helpful,a pregnancy testand a doctor’s visit are your two best first steps for clarity. However, this quiz can help you identify other factors that could be impacting your menstrual cycle so you know what to ask about during an appointment.

Reasons Why You Might’ve Missed Your Period

Stress, extreme exercise, rapid weight gain, and being underweight are all non-pregnancy-related reasons you might miss a period. So are many reproductive health conditions, likepolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and ovarian cysts.

Age and life stages can mess with your menstrual cycle, too. Adolescents who are just getting their period may not have a regular cycle for up to three years.People who breastfeed may not experience ovulation for about six months after giving birth and, therefore, not get a period.And if you’re nearing the end of your productive years—think 40s—your lack of a period could beperimenopause.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.Menstrual cycle.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum birth control.

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.Menstrual cycle.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum birth control.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.Menstrual cycle.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum birth control.

Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Cleveland Clinic.Menstrual cycle.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum birth control.

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