What If You Miss Your Period

Why Is My Period Late 10 Reasons And What To Do

A missed period could mean you’re pregnant, but there might be another cause.

Monique Rainford, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine. She is the former chief of obstetrics-gynecology at Yale Health.

• Frequently Asked Questions

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 38 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

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.
• 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

Dont Plan Your Shower Just Yet

Appearance of these symptoms even when they are unusual, can be exciting and lead you to take an early pregnancy test. Some tests claim they can tell you up to a week before your period whether you are pregnant.

I once got three positive tests before my period, was over the moon and even booked a doctors appointment to confirm. By the time the appointment came around, my period arrived a week late and the tests were no longer positive.

Recommended Reading: Instant Relief From Period Back Pain

Negative Pregnancy Test No Period

Negative pregnancy test does not always mean that you are not pregnant. It can also be because you are taking the test too early.

If there are no symptoms of pregnancy, then you can look for other causes of late period negative pregnancy test.

A false negative pregnancy test is the case when you are pregnant, but still, the pregnancy test shows negative results.

Testing using an expired pregnancy test can give a false negative pregnancy test.

Being on antidepressants can lead to false negative results of a home pregnancy test.

No period negative pregnancy test case can also be because you are not following the instructions of the pregnancy test.

Negative pregnancy test no period may be because you are suffering from PCOS.

Using a diluted sample of urine also causes a negative pregnancy test. The early morning urine has enough hCG for a pregnancy test.

Early pregnancy tests can detect lower levels of hCG. A pregnancy blood test is also another way of early pregnancy detection

A new super early pregnancy test is done by the early pregnancy factor. This factor releases after 48 hours from fertilization.

Pregnancy detection a day after sex is possible by this method. But pre-implantation failure allows this test accuracy rate of only 88.8%. There is a false positive percentage of 17.1%.

• When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Verywell / Cindy Chung

Missed Period Reason #: Extreme Stress

Stress has been linked to missed periods, but stress tends to be used a convenient scapegoat for poorly understood ailments. From causes of miscarriage to cycle irregularity, stress is used as a catch-all to explain the unexplained, even when stress isnt necessarily a problem.

Conceptually, yes, stress could interfere with the menstrual cycle. This is because the hormones of the menstrual cycle are controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which communicated via different hormones to ultimately release hormones like estrogens from the ovaries. But, this system doesnt exist in isolation, and different hormones and molecules, including the primary stress hormone cortisol and the immune system, can interact with estrogens to ultimately affect processes like ovulation and menstruation. Heres the tricky question: you always have some amount of circulating cortisol, so how much is too much that it can actually disrupt ovulation and your cycle? Its a tricky question subject to a lot of variability, so science research cant answer that quite yet.

Bottom line? Managing stress is always a good idea for both your physical and mental health. While the stress of a bad day or working more doesnt likely translate to very high physiological levels , prolonged levels of stress, especially high stress, can be negative for your health.

You May Like: Why Am I Still Spotting After My Period

How To Prevent Irregular Periods And Stomach Gas

Monitoring your cycle with a cycle tracking app, journal, or thermometer will keep you informed of subtle or major changes.

Cycle tracking is especially useful if youre trying to get pregnant. It can indicate when you are most fertile and if youre late. Its also an attractive habit for those looking for an extra layer of security against pregnancy.

Managing stress and eating a balanced diet can help regulate your cycle and other important functions like digestion. Consider getting a food allergy test to reduce the occurrence of stomach gas.

Is A Late Period Reason To Take A Pregnancy Test

There are many reasons for a late period besides pregnancy. When you stop having periods, it could be related to lifestyle factors such as stress, a strict diet, or extensive physical activity.

It might also result from the use of birth control pills, various diseases, hormonal abnormalities, or problems with your reproductive organs. Finally, it could be due to pregnancy.

Home pregnancy tests allow you to determine if youre pregnant at a very early stage. These tests detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin in your urine. Your body makes this hormone when a fertilized egg is implanted in your uterus.

Is your period five days late or more? Take the test for the most accurate results. Some tests might be more sensitive than others.

Also Check: Freddie Mac Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Waiting Period

Are These Symptoms Reliable Enough To Confirm Pregnancy

The symptoms we mentioned above are only possible indicators and not definitive signs that confirm a pregnancy. So even if you experience one or more of these symptoms, it may not always necessarily mean that you are pregnant. They are only the indicators of a possible pregnancy. Your pregnancy can be confirmed when a pregnancy test shows a positive result.

Dont Miss: Can You Be Pregnant And Still Get A Period

What To Do If You Have A Missed Period For 2 Months

If you miss your period for 2 months in a row, you should connect with your doctor to see if everything is okay. You can also try a few things at home first:

1. Take a Pregnancy Test

After the first month passes, take a home pregnancy test when you are around two weeks late for your period. You can buy these online or at any drugstore. If the test is positive, give your doctor a call for confirmation. If the test is negative, give it a few more weeks then re-test.

2. Change Your Lifestyle

Have you started a new birth control method? Are you under a lot of stress? Have you lost or gained weight? One of the above causes may be the issue and you may be able to make some changes in your lifestyle that will help balance your cycles.

3. Call Your Doctor

If you dont have a period after two or three months, you need to call your doctor. Going longer than two months is abnormal and you will need to be evaluated. The doctor will diagnose the cause and you may need medical treatment.

Don’t Miss: Birth Control To Help With Periods

Reasons Your Period Is Late When You Know Youre Not Pregnant

Have you ever had a late or missed period when you are certain you arent pregnant? It may cause you a moment of panic, but a late period is often caused by factors that have nothing to do with reproduction. If you have a late period and you are sure youre not pregnant, one of the following factors may be to blame.

There Are Many Reasons That Periods Can Be Irregular Or Absent Some Require Treatment And Some Do Not

It is not uncommon to occasionally miss a period, or for periods to become irregular from time to time. Under some circumstances, periods can even stop altogether. Sometimes these irregularities are due to normal changes, and are not cause for concern. Other times, they are a sign that something is going on, and a call to your doctor is warranted.

Explore Irregular or Absent Periods:

Also Check: Is It Normal To Get Headaches On Your Period

What About A Missed Period On The Copper Coil

There are lots of reasons why you might have a late or missed period with the copper coil . The copper coil is hormone free so should not affect your natural cycle . So in this case, other things may affect your natural cycle include stress, illness, excessive exercise, or weight change. Sometimes we never know what caused the disruption.

If you have an IUD and your period is late, you can do a pregnancy test if youre worried. In some rare cases women with copper coils can have an ectopic pregnancy . If you have a positive pregnancy test with a coil in, then you need to seek urgent medical attention.

My Period Is Late: Is There Any Reason To Be Worried

Numerous studies show that a slight variation in the length of your menstrual cycle is normal.

More than 100 women with normal menstrual cycle lengths took part in a large-scale study that showed interesting results: cycle variability of more than seven days was observed in 42.5 percent of the participants! As you can see, a one to two-day variation is very common.

Track my period

Don’t Miss: Va Loan 6 Month Waiting Period

Reasons For Missed Periods

There are many reasons why you may have missed your period. Some women miss periods regularly because they don’t ovulate regularly. You might also miss a period if you have a change in your sleep patterns, for example, or if you start working night shifts which can throw your cycles out of whack as your body learns to adjust to it.

You can also miss your period if your weight is too low. After a certain amount of body fat, you may not have the hormone production to sustain your periods. This is often true if you’re a very competitive athlete or suffer from disordered eating like anorexia or even bulimia.

Sometimes stress can be a reason that your period is missing. This can usually be determined easily by a discussion with your doctor.

Youre Under A Lot Of Stress

The bodys reaction to stress can change the levels of many hormones that cause your period to last longer than necessary, says Dr. Horton.

Stress can cause delayed ovulation, causing your period to start later than expected, which can make your periods longer and heavier than usual, she explains. Identifying and eliminating stressors in your life will help regulate your periods over time. Meditation, getting enough sleep, and regular exercise are also effective ways to manage stress.

Also Check: When To Worry About Late Period

Will I Be Automatically Enrolled In Medicare When I Turn 65

Age and disability are the primary criteria that determine Medicare eligibility. Usually, individuals eligible for Medicare due to a disability receive benefits after collecting Social Security for 24 months. Individuals who receive Social Security either disability or retirement are automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. Most other Americans can sign up for Medicare beginning three months before their 65th birthday.

Timeline Of Early Pregnancy Symptoms

While pregnancy tests and your practitioner can offer definitive answers, these early pregnancy symptoms may be clues that youre expecting.

Keep in mind, just because youve experienced some of these symptoms doesnt mean youre pregnant. You could also have none of them at all and still go on to have a perfectly healthy pregnancy.

You May Like: How To Help Really Bad Period Cramps

Will I Need Any Tests For A Missed Period

If you go to see a doctor about your periods stopping, first of all the doctor will ask you some questions. For example, the doctor will want to know:

• If you have ever had periods and whether they were regular.
• How long you have not had periods for.
• If you have recently been using any contraception.
• If you are on any medication or have any other medical conditions.
• If you have recently lost weight.
• If you are under any stress.
• If there is any chance you could be pregnant.
• If you have any other symptoms, such as hot flushes or milk leaking from your breasts. The doctor may also ask about signs of pregnancy such as morning sickness or tender breasts.

Your doctor may then wish to examine you. The doctor may want to check your weight and height and then work out your BMI. They may also want to feel your tummy. They may want to look for signs of possible causes. In some cases an internal examination may be needed.Whether further tests are needed will depend on what has been discovered from talking to you and examining you. You may not need any tests at all. Tests which may be needed include:

• A pregnancy test .
• Blood tests. These are done to check out a number of possible causes. They may be done to check hormone levels . Occasionally tests for gene abnormalities may be needed.
• An ultrasound scan.

Youve Missed Your Period

If youâre in your childbearing years, sexually active, and more than a week has passed since the day your period was expected to start, itâs very possible youâre pregnant. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, have recently experienced significant weight loss or weight gain, or stopped taking your birth control pills, a missed period may not be a reason to worry. However, missed periods are perhaps the most tell-tale sign of a potential pregnancy, so be sure to take a pregnancy test if youâre in this situation. Many pregnant women experience some bleeding around two weeks after fertilization and mistake it for a light period, but a missed period on their next cycle will indicate a pregnancy. â

Also Check: The Period Book A Girl’s Guide To Growing Up

Stress Is Getting To You

Work has been totally nuts or your class load has you pulling all-nighters. I describe it to women as whatever stress youre under, your body decided it was not a good time to get pregnant. Its your bodys way of protecting you, says Dr. Goist. But as long as you can get your stress under control and its an isolated thing, its no big deal if you miss a period or its super late one time.

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, thats 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 theres no way youre 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.

Read Also: Gas In Early Pregnancy Before Missed 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.