Does sexual life affect the menstrual cycle?
Under the condition of excluding the interference of other factors and not being pregnant, sexual intercourse generally does not cause a delay in menstruation.
However, for women of childbearing age, a delay in menstruation is a very common phenomenon. It is believed that the vast majority of women have experienced a delay in menstruation. When a woman of childbearing age with sexual activity experiences a delay in menstruation, the first reaction is often: Am I pregnant?
First of all, the menstrual cycle is generally 28 - 30 days, and an advance or delay of 3 days is considered normal. If the delay is within 3 days, just wait and don't worry too much. The establishment of the menstrual cycle is regulated by a complex neuroendocrine system, involving the central nervous system, pituitary gland, ovaries, and uterus. They interact with and restrict each other to maintain a dynamic balance and form a cycle. In addition, psychoemotional factors and lifestyle habits can also affect the menstrual cycle. Therefore, when menstruation is delayed after sexual intercourse, don't be anxious. We can first check through the following five points:
Have contraceptive measures been taken properly?
If no contraceptive measures are taken, or if the contraceptive measures are inappropriate (for example, not wearing a condom correctly throughout the process), and sexual intercourse occurs during the ovulation period, it is possible that pregnancy may cause a delay in menstruation.
Have you been overly nervous recently?
Many female friends should have experienced a delay or advance in menstruation before or after exams during their school days. Similarly, nervousness or excessive worry about pregnancy after sexual intercourse may also cause a delay in menstruation. High stress, nervousness, and anxiety caused by work or study can also lead to changes in the body's hormone levels, resulting in a delay in menstruation [2].
Have you taken emergency contraceptives?
If emergency contraceptives are taken after sexual intercourse, they can block or delay ovulation, causing the next menstruation to be delayed or advanced. In addition, taking emergency contraceptives does not mean that there is no chance of getting pregnant. If the menstrual flow is heavy but has been delayed for a week, it is still recommended to go to the hospital for a pregnancy test to determine whether you are pregnant.
Have you been eating properly?
Long - term excessive dieting can easily lead to insufficient intake of essential substances for the human body, such as fat, protein, and various trace elements. Among them, fat is an important source of energy required for a woman's menstruation. If the total amount of a woman's fat is less than 17% of her body weight, it will affect the development of sexual organs and the onset of menstruation. In addition, if a woman consumes too little fat, it will also reduce the secretion of estrogen in the body, which may cause a delay in menstruation or even amenorrhea.
Have you paid attention to keeping warm?
Cold stimulation can easily cause blood vessels in the female reproductive system to contract. If exposed to such stimulation for a long time, the function of the reproductive system will be affected due to continuous excessive blood vessel contraction, which may lead to menstrual disorders.
In conclusion, there are many reasons for a delay in menstruation. If the delay exceeds one week and there has been sexual intercourse, you can first buy a pregnancy test strip at the pharmacy. Two lines indicate a positive result, and one line indicates a negative result. In addition, it is recommended to visit the gynecology department of the hospital for more accurate exclusion of pregnancy and organic diseases through blood HCG tests, B - ultrasounds, etc. Do not avoid seeing a doctor due to fear of illness. If pregnancy and organic diseases are excluded, just relax, develop good living habits, and patiently wait for the arrival of menstruation!
