Family History

If you got your period late, then chances are your daughter will get her period late too.

Hormonal

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in every 4 girls. Your daughter might have a hormonal deficiency which is causing her period to come late. Thyroid problems are also another cause.

Obesity, Anaemia and Malnutrition

Girls who are obese are more prone to PCOS, which lead to a late period.

Excessive exercise and anorexia, though rare, can cause late periods because of the changing hormones and low body mass index.

Genetic Defects

The most common genetic defect is Rokintasky Kuster Hauser syndrome (RKH). Here a girl has a very small vagina (like a pouch) or no vagina at all. The vagina is not connected to the uterus which makes it impossible for her to menstruate.

Another genetic defect is Testicular Feminisation Syndrome where instead of ovaries the girl has testes in her abdominal cavity. The external appearance will be of a woman but she will have no uterus.

Tuberculosis

This is a very common reason for late periods in India. Sometimes the uterus gets damaged during a tuberculosis attack.

What Can be Done?

If your daughter has a hormonal problem, it can be treated with hormone tablets. She may even be put on a hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

For  RKH syndrome, a girl won't be able to menstruate as she does not have a vagina (or a very small one). But she can have a surgically recreated vagina. She will be able to get married and have a normal sex life.

In the case of testicular feminisation syndrome, the testes have to be surgically removed. They could turn malignant and lead to cancer. A woman with this syndrome won't be able to conceive though.

(With inputs from: Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Rishma Dhillon Pai, Jaslok Hospital and Lilavati Hospital)