Under Or Overactive Thyroid
The thyroid gland is sort of like your bodys internal thermometer, regulating functions such as internal temperature and metabolism. An overactive or underactive thyroid is one reason why your menstrual cycle could be wonky.
According to reproductive endocrinologists at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, too high or low hormone levels produced by the thyroid can cause late, missed, or irregular periods, and even menstrual spotting between cycles or menorrhagia, which is abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding during periods.
What To Do If Your Period Is Delayed
If your period is late, the first step is to complete out a pregnancy test from the pharmacy. If you havent had a period for more than 3 months and you cannot identify the cause, you should go to a gynecologist so that he or she can identify the cause and treat the problem. In some cases, the use of medication is recommended to stimulate your period.
The doctor may order bloodwork to assess progesterone and prolactin levels, which may help to identify the reason for this delay and guide the most appropriate treatment.
Also, depending on what is causing your period delay, you may need to reduce the intensity of physical exercise, take it easy, avoid stress and maintain a varied and balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. These are all factors that contribute to a regular menstrual cycle.
It is also recommended that you see your doctor regularly to identify possible health problems or diseases such as polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, anorexia, bulimia, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, all which can cause changes to your menstrual cycle.
Birth Control And Other Medications
Hormonal birth control pills or shots as well as intrauterine devices can cause shorter and lighter menstrual cycles.
The hormones in birth control pills can thin out the lining of the uterus. This can lighten and shorten your period. According to the Cleveland Clinic, women who take progestin-only pills may bleed between their periods.
Other medicines that may affect the frequency, length, or flow of your period include:
- blood thinners
Recommended Reading: New Hire 90 Day-probationary Period Template
Things That Delay Your Period
A missed period is often the first sign of pregnancy, but there are other reasons for lateness, too. Here are some other factors that can delay your monthly flow:
Extreme diet and exercise
A healthy diet and regular exercise can do wonders for your health. But if you overdo it, you might say bye-bye to your periods, at least temporarily.
Athletes who train really hard or who dont get enough calories may stop menstruating, Dr. Higgins says. Its the bodys way of telling you that it doesnt have enough resources to support a pregnancy.
When your periods stop due to weight loss, diet or exercise, youre experiencing secondary amenorrhea. This means you previously had periods, but they have stopped. Secondary amenorrhea might happen to you if you:
- Eat an extreme, calorie-restricted diet.
- Have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia.
- Lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time.
- Undergo hardcore exercise training, such as for a .
Polycystic ovary syndrome
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that interferes with the release of an egg . When you dont ovulate, you usually dont have a period. Many people with PCOS have irregular, late or missing periods. Other symptoms of PCOS include:
- Excess facial or body hair.
- Thinning hair.
- Weight gain or trouble losing weight.
Doctors diagnose PCOS by checking your symptoms and performing medical tests when needed. Medication and lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms.
Stress
Some examples of major stress include:
Youth
~other~ Reasons Your Period Is Late
Is Flo ghosting you? Before you get too worried, here’s what could be to blame.
Seventeen participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Your period is a sign that everything in your body is working smoothly, so any break from the status quo can throw it off schedule. Still, it can be stressful when your period doesn’t show when you expected. And if you’re sexually active, of course, a missed period can send you into panic mode. But take heart there are a few non-earth-shattering reasons your period could be running behind this month.
1. Your hormones are out of balance.
“The menstrual cycle is an intricate system of coordinated functions between the brain, ovaries, and uterus,” explains Nichole Tyson, MD, an OB/GYN and Director of Pediatric/Adolescent Gynecology at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. So any time your hormones get a little wonky, it can affect your period. Stress hormones can disrupt ovulation, and hormonal imbalances like polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause irregular periods, too. If your cycle changes or you start skipping periods often, though, talk to your doctor.
More From
2. You’re on birth control.
3. You’re under the weather.
4. You’ve been hitting the gym hard.
5. You’ve gained a lot of weight.
6. Your thyroid isn’t cooperating.
7. It’s MIA this month.
Recommended Reading: 90 Day Employment Probationary Period Template
Sohow Much Of A Delay In Your Period Is Still Considered Normal
âIf you have one or two irregular periods it is definitely something to pay attention to,â says Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn at Providence Saint Johnâs Health Center in Santa Monica, California. A period is considered late if it hasnât started five or more days after the day you expected it to begin, according to Summit Medical Group. So if your period is, say, 10 days late, definitely take a pregnancy test and check in with your ob-gyn regardless of the results. In general, if your flow has been MIA for a week or more, that’s a sign you should take the test and also check in with your gyno to see what might be going on.
But again, you can miss a period and *not* be pregnant. If there’s no way you’re pregnant and/or your test comes back negative , one of these factors, including all the stress you might be under right now, may be to blame for your late period problems. Then, your next step is definitely calling your doc so they can help you suss out the best solution or treatment for your situation.
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.
You May Like: Employee Probationary Period Template
How Many Days After A Missed Period Is A Pregnancy Test Positive
Once youve missed your period, most pregnancy tests are accurate. But some people might have lower hCG levels that cant be detected by tests quite so soon. You can repeat a test 5 to 10 days after missing your period for more accurate results. A blood test can also accurately measure your hCG levels.
References
When To Visit The Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you can’t pinpoint the reasons for a late period they may want to check for various conditions. It’s also important to note that vaginal bleeding after a late period may not be the monthly visitor you were expecting. “Anybody who experiences heavy bleeding and pain after a missed period and/or a positive pregnancy test should go to the doctor,” says Dr. McDonald. “All bleeding is not a period, especially in a setting where something is off.”
You May Like: Usaa Grace Period Auto Insurance New Car
No Period For Three Months: Is This Normal
Not having your period for three months or more is known as secondary amenorrhea. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Natural causes of an absence of menstruation for three months include perimenopause, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Certain lifestyle factors like stress and excessive exercise may also cause it. Furthermore, having either excessive or low body fat can also cause a missed period. Tumors on the pituitary gland or a hypoactive/hyperactive thyroid gland can also lead to hormonal imbalances and trigger secondary amenorrhea. Low levels of estrogen or high levels of testosterone can also result in a missed period.
Genetic disorders such as Swyer syndrome and Turner syndrome result in a lack of menstruation without proper hormone replacement therapy. Some people experience a missed period because of medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or chemotherapy drugs. You could also notice no period for three months or more if you have just stopped taking birth control pills.
Physical issues like problems in your reproductive organs could also cause delayed or missed periods.
You Used Emergency Contraception Sometime In The Past Few Months
If you’ve taken emergency contraception, like Plan B, as a precautionary measure after unprotected sex, there’s a chance it could be making your period very late. Princeton reported several studies that showed menstrual cycle lengths were altered after women took emergency contraception.
However, if your period is more than a week late and you recently took emergency contraception, The Center for Women’s Health suggests seeing your health care provider.
Also Check: Primosiston To Stop Period
Reasons For A Late Period: What Might They Be
If your period is five days late, it doesnt necessarily mean youre pregnant. There are multiple factors that can cause your period to be late:
- Physiological Stress, sudden weight changes, climate or time zone changes, breastfeeding , etc.
- Medically induced Associated with taking or stopping medications including hormonal contraceptives and antidepressants
- Pathological Caused by diseases such as ovarian pathology, uterine diseases, endocrine system disorders, etc.
The Best Time To Take A Pregnancy Test
If you have a regular menstrual cycle , then you are only at risk of pregnancy if you had unprotected heterosexual sex or had a high risk of sperm touching your genitals during your fertile window. This is the six days leading up to and including ovulation, usually around the middle of your cycle . You can take a pregnancy test about two weeks after your estimated ovulation day, but the earlier you take a test the less accurate it may be and some brands are more sensitive than others . You should probably take a pregnancy test or contact your healthcare provider if your period is nine or more days late.
If you have an irregular cycle , then unprotected sex or exposure of sperm on your genitals at most times represents a risk. You can take a pregnancy test about two weeks after your last unprotected sexual encounter, though the earlier you take a test the less accurate it may be and some brands are more sensitive than others .
If you get a negative result at first and your period still hasnât come after a week, you might want to try taking another pregnancy testâjust to be sure. The sooner you know if you are pregnant or not, the sooner youâll be able to develop a plan . You can get confidential testing and counseling in most healthcare providersâ offices and clinics.
Read Also: Can You Donate Plasma On Your Period
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
When To Talk To Your Doctor About A Late Or Missing Period
Most people who menstruate dont have a perfectly regular cycle. A couple days off here or there generally isnt cause for concern . However, you should speak with your doctor if youve ruled out a pregnancy and:
- You havent had a period in over three months
- Your periods are suddenly irregular
- You notice there are more than 35 days between your periods
- Your period lasts for more than seven days
- You bleed between periods
- Your periods are extremely heavy
- Your periods are extremely painful
Any of the above could indicate a more serious underlying condition and, regardless, you should always bring up worrying menstrual cycle changes to your healthcare provider or ObGyn.12
You May Like: 90 Day Probationary Period Policy Examples
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 .
Reasons Your Period Might Be Late
Find out more about why Aunt Flo may be taking her time to visit this month
Tick, tock, tick, tock – period. Its like clockwork for some women. For others, periods can be unpredictable and may come as a bit of a surprise. When that time of the month rolls around and your flow is a no-show, your first instinct is probably to freak out a bit. But hold fire. This doesnt necessarily mean youre expecting. Here are seven reasons why your period may be a little late to the party.
You May Like: 90 Day Probationary Period Template
Does Parsley Help Induce An Early Period
Yes, the addition of Parsley to your daily diet can help regulate your cycle. Consumption of Vitamin C rich food is known to to induce an early period. Parsley is rich in Vitamin C as well as Apiol which stimulates uterine contractions. You can add Parsley to your meals or prepare Parsley tea with warm water.
A Change In Your Schedule
Changing schedules can throw off your body clock. If you frequently change work shifts from days to nights, or if your schedule is generally all over the place, your period can be fairly unpredictable.
A change in your schedule shouldn’t cause you to completely miss your period, but it can cause your period to start earlier or later than expected. Your cycle can also change by a few days if you experience jet lag.
Read Also: 90 Day Probationary Period Form