A Missed Period Could Mean You’re Pregnant But There Might Be Another Cause
Pregnancy is by far the most common cause of a missed period. However, other medical and lifestyle factors can also affect your menstrual cycle making your period late.
Weight changes, hormonal irregularities, and menopause are among the most common causes if you’re not pregnant. With these issues, you may miss a period for one or two months, or you may experience complete amenorrheathat is, no period for three or more months in a row.
A normal menstrual cycle is about 28 days. However, a normal cycle could be up to 40 days. If your cycle is longer than this, or longer than usual for you, it’s considered late.
This article explores 10 common reasons your period may be delayed.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Late Period: Everything You Need To Know
Having a late period might come as a surprise, especially if youre not trying to get pregnant. Should you take a pregnancy test? The truth is, there are many reasons for late periods other than pregnancy. Your health, age, diet, stress, and exercise can all affect the regularity of your menstrual cycle. In this article, well look at the most common late period causes and go over some common questions about delayed menstruation.
Also Check: 90 Probationary Period Employment Form
Calculator: Is My Menstrual Period Late
Is your period late or could you be pregnant? Use this menstrual period calculator to see if your period is late or if a baby may be the way!
Missing a period, especially if you always had regular menstrual periods, is a significant event, so naturally, the next question that follows is, “Am I pregnant?” Pregnant women have no menstrual period. But not every woman who misses her period is pregnant.
Also Check: Can I Get My Period Twice In One Month
Changes In Bathroom And Stomach Habits
In addition to nausea and vomiting, you may experience other stomach problems when you first become pregnantlike constipation, frequent urination and bloating, to name a few.
Constipation is normally characterized by fewer than three bowel movements a week, hard stool, dry stool or stool that is difficult to pass. The progesterone that starts to form from the placenta slows the bowels down, says Brown. Constipation can occur early on in pregnancy, but can come back during the third trimester, too.
Frequent urination is common. Symptoms can start even earlier than your missed period, since the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterus and begins making the pregnancy hormone hCG, prompting you to run to the bathroom more often.
Bloating can happen early on in pregnancy, and may continue throughout your nine months. The progesterone hormone causes your muscle tissues to relax, slowing down digestion. That, in addition to an expanding uterus, can put pressure on your rectum and cause it to feel heavy.
Heres how to keep your stomach happy during pregnancy:
- Aim to get at least 25 grams of fiber a day from foods like leafy greens and whole grains.
- Talk to your OBGYN about any iron supplements youre taking.
- Discuss with your OBGYN whether you need to try over-the-counter medications.
- When you feel the urge, do not hold in bowel movements.
- Take it easy on foods that may upset your stomach, like beans, cabbage and fried items.
So How Late Can My Period Be Before I Should Worry
If your period is late and you have recently had unprotected sex, it can be an early sign of pregnancy. Whilst that is a fact, itâs not always the case. Only a pregnancy test will give you the answer. How late your period is, depends on your cycle. Only you know what is normal for you, and what isnât.
Home pregnancy tests are available from pharmacies and some supermarkets. Results tend to be accurate if you follow the instructions correctly. If you take the test too early, the results may not be reliable. The best time to take a pregnancy test is the week after your missed period. Your body takes a week or so to develop levels of HCG , which is what the test relies on.
A positive test result is almost certainly correct, with most tests claiming 99% accuracy. By the same token, a negative result is also likely to be correct. Only 5% of pregnancy tests give a false negative result. If you test negative and you still think that you’re pregnant, you should wait a few days and try again. If you have a negative test result and you are experiencing other early pregnancy symptoms, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have a positive pregnancy test, you should see your doctor to confirm your pregnancy. If your pregnancy test results are positive but you are worried or experiencing any warning signs that something is wrong with your pregnancy, such as bleeding or cramping, you should call your doctor right away.
Read Also: What Are The Signs Of First Period
How Much Of A Delay Is Normal In Periods
Worried about a late period, but know youre not pregnant? Missed or late periods happen for many reasons other than pregnancy. Common causes can range from hormonal imbalances to serious medical conditions.
There are also two times when its typical for your period to be irregular: when it first begins, and when the menopause transition starts. As your body goes through the transition, your cycle can become irregular.
Most people who havent reached menopause usually have a period approximately every 28 days. However, a healthy menstrual cycle can range from every 21 to 40 days. If your period doesnt fall within these ranges, it could be because of one of the following reasons.
How To Get An Accurate Pregnancy Test Result
Recommended Reading: How To Skip My Period On Birth Control
Can You Make Your Period Come Faster
There are various reasons why you might wish to induce your period. Perhaps you want to get your period over and done with before a holiday or a special occasion. Maybe you have an irregular cycle and want more predictability so that you can plan a pregnancy. Or maybe your period is delayed, causing you to feel stressed or worried.
If your period is delayed, or you stopped getting it, treating the cause may help you regulate your monthly cycle.
You Waited Too Long To Read The Results
This doesnt happen very often mainly because when most of us take a pregnancy test we want to know the test results as soon as possible!
But if you have peed on a stick, left it, and then come back to it a few hours later and found a negative test result, this cant be trusted.
Home pregnancy tests must be read within the time frame listed in the instruction booklet or on the packet.
If you leave a test standing for a few hours after use it can dry out the urine on it evaporates, and a positive result can disappear.
Also Check: Negative Pregnancy Test But No Period
Symptoms Of Missed Periods In Teens
Lack of menstrual bleeding is the main symptom of amenorrhea. The other signs and symptoms may depend on the cause.
These may include :
- Weight loss or gain: This can be seen in teenage athletes and those with eating disorders and thyroid problems.
- Facial hair, hair loss, acne: These symptoms can be associated with polycystic ovarian disease and other hormonal imbalances.
- Morning sickness: Nausea and vomiting can often be seen in the case of pregnancy.
These are signs and symptoms of conditions that may contribute to amenorrhea. You may visit your teens healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
What Are The Signs Of Implantation
Implantation is the process when an embryo attaches itself to the uterine lining. It doesnt always cause symptoms. However, some people report feeling light cramping, headaches, and mood swings around the time of implantation. Implantation bleeding can occur around the date when you expect your period, but its usually lighter and only causes pink or brown spotting or discharge.
Read Also: Is It Easier To Get Pregnant After Your Period
What Is Amenorrhea In A Teen
The absence of menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. There are two types of amenorrhea :
- Primary amenorrhea: This refers to the absence of menarche by the age of 15 years.
- Secondary amenorrhea: This refers to the absence of menstrual periods for three months or more in otherwise healthy menstruating teens.
Missed periods are normal and common during the first and second years of menstruation. They can be caused due to a lack of ovulation every month. However, your teen may require a gynecology consultation to determine the cause, if this persists.
Reducing Exercise If Youre An Athlete
Missing periods may occur due to low energy availability, especially in adolescent athletes. This can occur if you arent taking in enough energy relative to the energy youre burning through exercise.
People who limit their food intake and engage in extreme exercise, with or without the use of laxatives, may develop amenorrhoea. This may be considered a warning sign for other health issues associated with low energy, such as poor bone accrual and low bone mineral density, both of which are associated with decreased bone strength.
If you may have amenorrhoea due to low energy availability, it is best to reduce the amount of exercise you do on a daily basis. You may want to see a doctor or trainer to determine how much exercise is safe for you to perform.
Also Check: How To Make A Period Come Later
Diagnosis Of Amenorrhea In Teens
Your teens doctor may ask about the symptoms and menstrual history of your teen. They may also do a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, to look for any visible abnormalities or signs of conditions that cause amenorrhea.
Amenorrhea is diagnosed in the following scenarios :
- Absence of menarche by the age of 15 years
- Lack of menstruation for three months or more in a girl with regular cycles
- Missed menstruation for six months or more in a girl with irregular cycles
The following tests may be ordered to identify the underlying cause of amenorrhea :
- Blood tests: Hormone levels, pregnancy, thyroid disorder
- Urine analysis: pregnancy and overall health
- Pelvic ultrasound: Ultrasonographic imaging of the pelvic area can help identify the structural causes of amenorrhea.
Your teen may also require a few additional tests and consultations to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of possible underlying causes. These tests are usually suggested by your teens doctor.
What Are The Physical And Psychological Effects Of Drug Use Disorders
While the specific physical and psychological effects of drug use disorders tend to vary based on the particular substance involved, the general effects of addiction to any drug can be devastating. Psychologically, intoxication with or withdrawal from a substance can cause everything from euphoria as with alcohol, Ecstasy, or inhalant intoxication, to paranoia with marijuana or steroid intoxication, to severe depression or suicidal thoughts with cocaine or amphetamine withdrawal. In terms of effects on the body, intoxication with a drug can cause physical effects that range from marked sleepiness and slowed breathing as with intoxication with heroin or sedative hypnotic drugs, to the rapid heart rate of cocaine intoxication, or the tremors to seizures of alcohol withdrawal.
According to the DSM-5 , the diagnostic reference that is written and endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, in order to be diagnosed with substance-related use disorder, a person must exhibit a maladaptive pattern of drug use that leads to significant problems or stress, as manifested by at least two of the following signs or symptoms in the same one-year period:
You May Like: 90 Day Probationary Period Template
Read Also: Can You Get Pregnant The Day After Your Period Ends
Nutrient Deficiencies Or Chronic Disease
Underling nutrient deficiencies or chronic disease are a third reason your body may decide to delay or halt ovulation, making your period late. When these conditions go unaddressed, your body can perceive this as yet another form of stress.
Being malnourished or suffering from an unmanaged condition like an autoimmune disease are common reasons for irregular cycles or missing periods.
If your period has been missing or irregular for some time, it is always a good idea to visit your primary healthcare provider for a full checkup including lab work. Some blood tests to discuss with your doctor include:
-
Follicle Stimulating Hormone and LH
A Late Period Under 16
Many teenagers want to know why their period is late. For many, the first few years of menstruation involve irregular periods.
The body is still developing in this stage of life, and a teens ovaries do not always release an egg monthly. This may result in irregular cycles fewer than 20 or more than 45 days. A typical cycle for teenagers lasts between 21 and 45 days.
Having fluctuating periods for two years or less during adolescence is likely nothing to worry about. Your health care provider can conduct a physical exam to make sure everythings healthy. Teens cycles start to regulate as their hormone levels stabilize, although some will still have irregular cycles on an ongoing basis.
Continue monitoring your body. When your period comes, use Flo to log the date and your symptoms. The app can help you better predict your period, even if you have an irregular cycle.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get In The Pool On Your Period
What Is The Last Menstrual Period
The LMP is the date of the first day of the last menstrual period you had before conceiving. It is the first day that your last menstrual cycle begins when you see bright red blood, not just a little brown spotting. You should keep track of your LMP each month, either with an online calculator or just by recording it on a calendar each month. That is the date you use when entering the LMP on an online period calculator.
Whether you are trying to get pregnant or not trying to get pregnant, keeping track of your menstrual periods is vital. Besides pregnancy, missing a menstrual period could also be a sign of other issues like missed ovulation.
How Much Delay In Periods Is Normal
Menstrual cycles are considered normal if they last anywhere between 21 to 35 days. Your cycle can vary, but your period is considered late after five days from the date when you expected it to come. A period is considered to have been missed if its been six weeks or more since the first day of your last menstruation.
Don’t Miss: Will I Get My Period With An Iud
Causes Of Missed Periods In Teenagers
Causes of amenorrhea in teenage girls include :
How Late Can A Period Be Before You Should Start To Worry
Content by
Delay your period for vacation, wedding, sporting event or for any other special occasion
Stop your period for up to 17 days
Your period is late. If youâre worried, itâs understandable. Try not to panic. Whilst pregnancy is one reason your period might be late, there are also other reasons. Often lifestyle and medical factors can be the cause. .
Don’t Miss: How To Prolong Your Period Naturally
How Do You Know If Your Period Is Late
Whether youre busy or just have a lot on your mind, its easy to forget when you should expect your period to start. But if youre not sure when to expect your period, its hard to know if its late.
A period tracking app like Flo can help. By logging your usual menstrual cycle dates, Flo can predict when you can expect your period. This information can also be very useful if you need to go to your health care provider when you miss your period. Having information about your cycle can help them understand whats happening inside your body.
If You Continue Your Pregnancy
If you choose to continue your pregnancy to term, then you most likely wont get your period back until about six weeks after you give birth. Factors that impact the return of your period after birth include things like stress, whether youre breastfeeding or not, and if you start using hormonal birth control.
So there you have it how to find your period when it goes missing!
Abortion Information You Can Trust
carafem medical standards and guidelines have been composed and approved by Board-certified Ob/Gyn Physicians as part of the carafem medical committee. Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page, or call us at , or find a location near you.
You May Like: Can I Swim On My Period Without A Tampon