What may increase your risk for problems from missed or irregular periods?
Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medications, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.
Conditions
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
- Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
- Menopause or perimenopause
- Pregnancy
- Recent gynecologic treatments or procedures:
- Abortion
- Dilation and curettage (D&C)
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Endurance athletics
- Smoking or other tobacco use
- Unprotected sex
Medications
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Medications to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Medications to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
Diseases
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Diseases that can affect hormone balance, such as:
- Adrenal disease
- Ovarian cysts
- Pituitary disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Thyroid disease
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: July 5, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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