Understanding Menstrual Cycle Delays: Common Causes
The menstrual cycle typically lasts between 28 to 30 days. It is considered normal for it to vary by about seven days, whether earlier or later. However, if the cycle exceeds this range, it can cause concern for women who usually have regular periods. Below, we will explore some common reasons for delayed menstruation.
1. Kidney Deficiency
Menstrual symptoms: Delayed periods, light flow, thin consistency, and dark or dull blood color.
Other symptoms: General lower back and sacral pain, frequent nighttime urination, increased thin and light-colored vaginal discharge, dizziness, and pale tongue with a thin white coating.
2. Blood Cold
This condition may arise from external cold influences or an inherent constitution leading to a deficiency in warmth.
Types of Blood Cold
External cold (Shi Han): This is characterized by the invasion of cold pathogens or excessive consumption of cold foods, which depletes vital energy.
Menstrual symptoms: Delayed cycles, reduced flow, and dark red blood with clots.
Other symptoms: Cold abdominal pain that eases with warmth, pale or bluish complexion, aversion to cold, and a white-coated tongue.
Inherent cold (Xu Han): Characterized by a deficiency of inherent warmth and excess cold.
Menstrual symptoms: Delayed periods, light flow, and pale red blood without clots.
Other symptoms: Subtle abdominal pain, preference for warmth, lower back weakness, frequent clear urination, loose stools, and a pale tongue with a white coating.
3. Blood Deficiency
Menstrual symptoms: Delayed period, reduced flow, pale color, and thin consistency.
Other symptoms: Sallow or pale complexion, dizziness, heart palpitations, insomnia, and possibly persistent subtle abdominal pain that feels better with pressure. The tongue may appear pale with a thin white coating.
4. Qi Stagnation Due to Emotional Distress
Menstrual symptoms: Delayed cycles, reduced flow, normal or dark red blood with clots, and difficulty in discharge.
Expert Advice
Instances of occasional menstrual delays (1-2 times) without accompanying symptoms do not usually indicate a menstrual disorder. If the menstrual interval extends to 35 days or more, it is classified as oligomenorrhea, and if it exceeds three months, it is termed amenorrhea. These conditions can lead to issues such as osteoporosis and endometrial hyperplasia due to lack of ovulation. It is crucial to seek medical evaluation and treatment when experiencing such symptoms.