What Counts As A Late Period
Despite what you may have thought, a one- or two-day delay in menstruation doesnt actually count as a late period.
Your period is officially late when its been more than 35 dayssince the start of your last menstrual cycle. Most menstruators have their periods about every 28 days. When its been more than 35 days since youve noticed any menstrual blood in your underwear, it could be a signal that something abnormal is happening within your body and that you may want to start paying closer attention to any other physical changes.1
Whats Considered A Normal Menstrual Cycle
A normal menstrual cycle happens about once every 28 days, but this often varies. Some women have periods every 21 days, while others have periods that are 35 days apart.
When it comes to periods, every woman is different. Most women have periods that last around three to five days each month. But a period that lasts only two days, or goes on for seven days, is also considered normal.
If your period typically lasts several days and suddenly becomes much shorter, it could be due to a variety of causes.
Pregnancy may be the reason for a period that lasts only one or two days.
When a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, implantation bleeding can happen.
This type of bleeding is usually lighter than a regular period. It most often lasts about 24 to 48 hours. Its typically light pink to dark brown in color.
Implantation bleeding usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Not all pregnant women will experience it, though. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, implantation bleeding only happens in about 15 to 25 percent of pregnancies.
An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tubes, ovary, or cervix instead of the uterus. Its commonly called a tubal pregnancy.
One of the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy is vaginal bleeding along with pelvic pain.
Seek medical help right away if you experience symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, such as:
How Many Days Late Can A Period Be Before Worrying About Pregnancy
Everyones cycle is different. Healthy cycles can range in length from 21 to 35 days, and how long a cycle lasts can vary from cycle to cycle. Unless you have irregular cycles due to a medical condition, you probably have at least a rough idea of when to expect your next period.
A period is considered late if it hasnt started within seven days of when you expect it. Most pregnancy tests will be able to give you accurate results by the time your period is late. If you get a negative pregnancy test after missing a period, and your period is more than a week late, you may want to see your health care provider to figure out whats going on.
If you get a negative pregnancy test result, still havent gotten your period, and start to experience early pregnancy symptoms, consider taking another test. Sometimes, home pregnancy tests can give a false-negative result if its taken too early in the pregnancy to detect human chorionic gonadotropin in your urine. In these cases, it can take a bit longer to know youre pregnant after a late period. The earliest hCG detection can be done with an hCG serum test performed by a doctor as early as 8 to 10 days after ovulation.
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When To Talk To Your Doctor
You will need an additional evaluation if you have missed more than three periods in a row and you are not pregnant.
You should speak with your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty with balance
- Excessive growth of body hair
- Producing breast milk without having given birth
- Being older than 15 without having had a period
You’ve Been Sick Or Are Dealing With A Medical Condition
Illness can certainly influence the timing of your cycle, Styer says. The common cold may not be enough to shift your cycle, but both temporary sickness and chronic conditions can throw it out of whack. Druet names thyroid disorders and uterine polyps or fibroids as other conditions that can have the same effect.
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When To Reach Out To Your Doc
If missing your period has become a regular occurrence its best to check in with the doc to see whats up with your bod. Even if youre just going through a change in the pattern of your regular periods theres no harm to bring it up, better to put your mind at ease than to cause unnecessary stress for yourself.
Changes In Birth Control
“When starting a new form of birth control, you can initially have an irregular period, and in fact, some forms of birth control may cause you to lose your blood from your period altogether ,” Mysore explains. “When going off birth control, you can find yourself in the same position, where you may not get your period for some time, even a few months before your natural period comes back into play.”
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Early Result Pregnancy Tests
Some pregnancy test kits boast early results that promise an answer three or four days before your missed period. These tests assume a 14-day luteal phase, which is the time between ovulation and when you get your period. The problem is that you may have a shorter or longer luteal phase.
If your luteal phase is usually 12 days, four days before your missed period would be nine days after ovulation. Thats way too early to test. For you, taking the test four days before your missed period would be pointless.
If you have a luteal phase of 15 days, four days before your missed period is 12 days after ovulation. You still may not have enough hormones that early. However, you have a better chance than someone with a shorter luteal phase.
If youre having fertility treatments and you have had an hCG trigger shot, then you should not take an early pregnancy test. An early test may detect the remains of fertility medication.
How Many Days Have Passed In Your Cycle
If you dont track your cycle then you may not know the answer to this one. But if you do track your cycle and know the date when your period should have be due, you should have an idea if youre just a few days off, or quite a bit off. Your period may be late for various reasons including a possible miscalculation in your cycle days.
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Causes Of Late Or Skipped Periods
Missing your period can be concerning, whether youre sexually active or not. Many different things can lead to missing or irregular periods, and it can take some time to narrow down exactly whats wrong. That said, there are some common culprits behind this issue, so you have a place to start.
At Serrano OBGyn, our compassionate doctor, Dr. Christopher Serrano, can solve the mystery behind your missing or late periods. If youre pregnant, he can provide prenatal care. If youre not, he can provide appropriate treatment, if needed, to help balance your system
Youre Using Hormonal Birth Control
Many people love the pill because it makes their periods so regular. However, it can sometimes have the opposite effect, especially during the first few months of use.
Similarly, when you stop taking the pill, it can take a few months for your cycle to get back to normal. As your body returns to its baseline hormone levels, you may miss your period for a few months.
If youre using another hormonal birth control method, such as an intrauterine device , implant, or shot, you might completely stop getting your period.
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When To See Your Doctor
Your doctor can properly diagnose the reason for your late or missed period and discuss your treatment options. Keep a record of changes in your cycle as well as other health changes to show your doctor. This will help them make a diagnosis.
If you have the following symptoms, contact a doctor right away:
Reasons Other Than Pregnancy That Can Cause A Delayed Period
Worried about an accidental pregnancy over a missed period?A period is considered to be late if it does not occur up to 5 days after the expected date and a missed period is when it does not show up even six weeks after the expected date.The reasons for a delayed period are plenty and this article will help you understand more.
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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.
How Late Can A Period Be
A typical menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but depending on the woman, a healthy cycle can be a short as 21 or as long as 35 days. Track your period over several months to look for cycle patterns and changes . This will help you figure out what a normal menstrual cycle usually looks like for you.
A period is usually considered late if it hasnt started within seven days of when you expect it .
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Are You Taking Any Medications Or Are You On The Pill
The pill is notorious for masking any underlying reproductive problems.
While its usually a reliable form of contraception, its not 100% fail-proof, nor does it come without its fair share of side effects, and it can cause missed periods. Taking the pill can hide any reproductive issues requiring attention, which could be the reason why your cycle may be off the rails.
It might be worth asking your doctor for a blood test to find out if there are any issues with hormone levels. Acupunture is commonly used by fertility patients with great results, so consider seeing a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who can help to diagnose any issues, regulate your cycle, and let you know when you may need the help of Western medicine.
See BellyBellys article on why the pill might be prescribed and what effective alternatives you have available to you.
Youre In Early Menopause
Early menopause, also known as premature ovarian insufficiency, happens when your ovaries stop working before you turn 40.
When your ovaries are not working the way they should, they stop producing multiple hormones, including estrogen. As your estrogen levels drop to all-time lows, you will begin to experience the symptoms of menopause.
Late or missed periods may be an early sign. You may also experience:
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Reasons Your Period Is Late
During your usual morning routine, you open your cabinet, spot a box of tampons in the back, and you suddenly realize youre late. When was my last period? you think as you try to remember the last time you needed to reach for that box. Panic then takes over as your mind shoots straight to pregnancy.
While being pregnant is a possible reason for a missed period, there may be factors related to your health or lifestyle that are causing the delay, notes Shelley White-Corey, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A& M Health Science Center College of Nursing and a womens health nurse practitioner.
Breastfeeding
Your period may not make an appearance after your baby is born, but dont be alarmed! If you are breastfeeding your little one, a lack of periods is completely normal. Referred to as lactational amenorrhea, this is a phase that disrupts the rhythm of your menstrual cycle. After a few months, your monthly period should be right back on track.
Weight loss or weight gain
Whether youre overweight or underweight, any change in pounds can affect your monthly cycle. Common health problems linked to weight and irregular menstruation include eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, and uncontrolled diabetes. If you suspect this might be an issue for you, see your health care provider right away.
Increased exercise
Stress
Sleep schedule changes
Medication
Thyroid dysfunction
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Perimenopause
Suzannah Smith
Youre Getting Closer To Menopause
Women in their 40s and early 50s who are approaching menopause a normal increase in the frequency of prolonged time intervals between periods, Styer says. But dont rule it out if youre not yet in your 40s. Some women do experience ovary function loss before then.
All this said, Styer notes that you may not be able to pinpoint the cause of a late period without consulting your physician but you may not need to. The vast majority of cases of one late period and or few late periods in the course of year does not warrant medical evaluation and should not be of concern, he says. But if it becomes a recurrent issue specifically, if you go longer than 40 or 50 days between periods or your periods dont come at least every 35 to 40 days then its time to make an appointment.
Bottom line? Befriend your cycle, know your cycle, and track your cycle, Druet says. It can give you and tell you a lot.
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Youve Been Sick Or Are Dealing With A Medical Condition
Illness can certainly influence the timing of your cycle, Styer says. The common cold may not be enough to shift your cycle, but both temporary sickness and chronic conditions can throw it out of whack. Druet names thyroid disorders and uterine polyps or fibroids as other conditions that can have the same effect.
Why Am I Not Getting My Period At All
The medical term for absent periods is amenorrhea, and is considered to occur when a woman who has previously had normal periods stops menstruating for six months or more. Many of the causes of amenorrhea are the same as those for a skipped period. Your period can be absent for a number of reasons:
Pregnancy
The most common reason to not get your period is because you are pregnant. A home pregnancy test can quickly tell you if that is the reason.
Menopause
Most women stop getting their periods in their late 40s or early 50s. The average age is 51 years old.
Breastfeeding
If you breastfeed frequently, including at night-time, you may not get a period for many months. Be aware that you will ovulate prior to getting your period back, so birth control is important if you are not ready to be pregnant again.
Stress
While a sudden stressful life event can result in a single missed period, ongoing, high level stress and anxiety can cause your period to stop altogether. Managing stress though self-care, counselling, changing your life circumstances, medication, or other strategies can help you return to having normal periods.
Weight loss
Ongoing, dramatic weight loss, from low intake, excessive exercise, gastric bypass surgery, or eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can stop your period. This happens because the hormones required for ovulation are not produced.
Underweight
Obesity
High levels of prolactin
Ashermans syndrome
Absent uterus
Premature ovarian failure
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