Consider Taking A Home Pregnancy Test
If your period is more than two weeks late, then you can consider taking an at-home pregnancy test. These can be purchased from most drug stores , and usually arent too expensive. Make sure to read and follow the directions when you take the test. If it comes back negative, then you may not be pregnant. If it comes back positive, then
After An Extended Time After A Missed Period Should I Still Consider Pregnancy
A visit to your medical provider can determine if you are pregnant if you do not trust an at-home test. Your provider can run more specific tests, like ultrasound or blood tests. The length of a missed period does not directly correlate with pregnancy. Several conditions cause extended late or even missed periods.
Stress: Emotional stress can cause your period to become shorter, more painful, or stop altogether.
GI issues: Digestive system disorders can cause missed periods. Usually, they will have other symptoms in addition to irregular periods. Some conditions include liver issues, irritable bowel disease, and diabetes.
Weight fluctuations: Extreme weight loss can interrupt or even stop your menstrual cycle. Limiting your daily calorie intake can prevent the creation of the hormones needed for ovulation. Gaining a lot of weight produces additional estrogen, which regulates the reproductive system. It affects how often you have periods, and can cause them to stop.
Breastfeeding: Lots of women do not have regular periods while breastfeeding.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: PCOS occurs when the body produces irregular egg sacs in the ovaries, which do not release eggs. Ovulation does not occur, so irregular and missed periods will occur. PCOS affects about one in every ten women.
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.
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What If My Period Is Late
A period is considered late if it fails to arrive within seven days of the expected date. This is the time at which many people take a pregnancy test. If the test is negative, you may choose to wait a few more days. If another significant amount of time goes by with no period and no unusual symptoms, you can test again. If the result is still negative, there are other factors to consider.
Remember: Take A Test
The most important thing you can do if you feel you may be pregnant is take a pregnancy test. These are inexpensive and widely available. You can even find them sometimes at the dollar stores! There are also community resources available such as Planned Parenthood, where you can get a test for free if you cannot afford to pay.
If you are too shy to buy one yourself, ask a friend to pick one up for you. You can even buy them on Amazon. For your health and your babys health, its best to know as soon as you can if you are indeed pregnant. Buck up and get one!
When taken properly, home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate. Though some say you can take them up for five days before your missed period, the earlier you test, the more likely you are to get a false negative. If the test is negative and your period still doesnt come, try again.
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How Will I Know If I’m Pregnant
For women who have a regular menstrual cycle the first sign that you are pregnant is a missed period, however some women will notice that their period is very light compared to normal. If you have missed a period you can purchase a pregnancy test to complete in the privacy of your own home, visit your GP or your local sexual health clinic.
Why Do Periods Get Delayed
Menstruation is late or irregular in some women because:
- The first few years after the onset of menstruation are often irregular. It can take many years for the hormones that regulate menstruation to find a balance. This is a major reason for irregular periods in the beginning.
- When women are nearing perimenopause and menopause, their periods become irregular. Menopause is when you have not had a period for 12 months.
Other causes of irregular periods include:
- Excessive weight loss or gain. Obesity can also cause problems in the menstrual cycle.
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You Have An Illness Or Disorder That Hasn’t Been Diagnosed Yet
Having late or irregular periods can be a sign that something more serious may be going on. Dr. Gersh names polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, and pituitary tumors as potential medical conditions that can cause menstrual dysfunction.
An overactive thyroid can cause delays in menstruation, a strangely light flow, or skipped periods altogether. Non-period related symptoms that point to a thyroid issue include diarrhea, muscle weakness, sudden weight loss, and a racing heart. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormone imbalance that sends abnormal levels of estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone through the body and causes lack of ovulation. Other symptoms are infertility and the growth of hair in odd places, so if you’ve encountered any of these, speak to your doctor. Pituitary tumors develop on the pituitary gland on the base of the brain they’re usually benign but they can cause period irregularities, headaches, and sometimes milk production, too.
If any of the above sounds familiar, it’s best to schedule a visit with your doctor. No matter what, know that your period is an important vital sign that can help your doctor figure out what’s going on with you. Don’t hesitate to speak with your provider because, as annoying as periods can be sometimes, they’re a pretty good indicator of what’s going on with the rest of our health.
Experts:
Anna Druet, research scientist, Clue
Dr. Felice Gersh M.D., OB/GYN
Cut Back On Caffeine And Alcohol
Both alcohol and caffeine can increase cortisol levels, so its recommended that you reduce your intake of both of these when dealing with major life changes, going through a rough patch, or nearing your menstrual cycle. Instead, you might try decaffeinated beverages or herbal teas that are known to have calming effects, such as chamomile or lavender.
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Is It Hygienic To Swim On Your Period
Most people pay close attention to their hygiene during their period. Depending on your comfort level, you may feel more cautious about swimming at this time. Nevertheless, its absolutely possible to swim during your period.
Both indoor and outdoor swimming pools add a halogen to the water either chlorine or bromine.
What do these chemicals do? They kill the bacteria and other microbes that accumulate in a warm, wet place where lots of people swim. In treated water, the chance of getting an infection when swimming in a pool is, thankfully, low. Some doctors recommend avoiding lake or ocean swimming due to a greater risk of infection, as these bodies of water cant be treated with a halogen.
If you wear sanitary products, make sure to keep any used ones out of the water because they could pose a health risk to other swimmers.
What Is A Period
A period is the time in a woman or girl’s monthly cycle in which her unfertilized egg leaves her body, along with blood and uterine tissue lining . This normally takes about five days. Periods usually first begin at or around age 12 in the US. They may begin between the ages of 10 and 15, though some may also start sooner or later than this. A period begins Day 1 of the menstrual cycle.
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Doing Too Much Exercise
The stress that intense physical activity places on your body can affect the hormones responsible for your periods. Losing too much body fat through intense exercise can also stop you ovulating.
You’ll be advised to reduce your level of activity if excessive exercise has caused your periods to stop.
If you’re a professional athlete, you may benefit from seeing a doctor who specialises in sports medicine. They’ll be able to give you advice about how to maintain your performance without disrupting your periods.
Can Stress Delay Your Period
Having a manageable amount of stress in your life is normal. But excessive levels of stress, whether physical or mental, can be detrimental to your health. One of the effects of stress is a spike in cortisol, sometimes called the stress hormone.
This is how it happens. Extreme physical, emotional, or nutritional stress activates a chain reaction in your body. It starts from changes in brain activity and activity in the brain endocrine glands, passes through the suprarenal gland where stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released into the blood, and disrupts the hormonal balance of the reproductive organs.
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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.
When To See A Doctor
Missing a period does not always indicate pregnancy or a health issue. Speak with a doctor if periods do not arrive by age 16 or if they stop for more than 3 months in a row.
Tracking periods can help a person recognize any irregularity. Anyone who notices a change in the length of time between periods should speak with a doctor. Also, it is a good idea to consult a doctor if periods come more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days.
Amenorrhea is not life-threatening . However, the hormonal imbalances that can cause it can also lead to harmful complications, such as hip and wrist fractures. A doctor can help identify the cause of menstrual irregularity and recommend an effective treatment or management plan.
Also, anyone who suspects that they are pregnant, even after taking Plan B, should speak with a doctor.
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Late Periods The Verdict
Try not to fret if your period is late. Stress can affect your hormones and your menstruation. There are a bunch of reasons why your period may be late including pregnancy, irregular periods, weight changes, infections, medical conditions such as PCOS and hormone changes when hitting perimenopause.
If you’re sexually active, your period is later than normal and you have not taken a pregnancy test, it may be advisable to take one.
Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.
Can I Miss My Period For Two Months And Not Be Pregnant
Depending on the cause, yes. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, chronic diseases, and malnutrition can make you miss consecutive periods. Some oral contraceptives can also stop your periods. However, its always a good idea to take a pregnancy test in these cases. If the test is negative, make an appointment with your health care provider to determine the cause of your missed periods.
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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.
Youve Upped Your Workout Intensity
A strenuous exercise regimen can also cause missed periods. This is most common in those who train for several hours a day. It happens because, whether intentionally or not, youre burning way more calories than youre taking in.
When you burn too many calories, your body doesnt have enough energy to keep all its systems running. More strenuous workouts can increase hormone release that can affect your menstruation.
Periods typically go back to normal as soon as you lessen training intensity or increase your caloric intake.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. Many people with PCOS do not ovulate regularly.
As a result, your periods may:
- be lighter or heavier than standard periods
- arrive at inconsistent times
Other PCOS symptoms can include:
- excess or coarse facial and body hair
- acne on the face and body
- thinning hair
- weight gain or trouble losing weight
- dark patches of skin, often on the neck creases, groin, and underneath breasts
- skin tags in the armpits or neck
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What Should I Do If I Have Missed My Period
Don’t panic! In most cases there is nothing serious going on. The most important thing to do is to do a pregnancy test if there is any chance at all you could be pregnant. If you otherwise feel well in yourself, and you are not pregnant, then the chances are your periods will start up again in due course.
You should consult a doctor if:
- You have not had a period for three months and your periods were previously regular.
- You have not had a period for 6-9 months but your periods have always been infrequent.
- You could be pregnant.
- You wish to become pregnant.
- You have hot flushes or night sweats and are under the age of 45.
- You have lost weight or your BMI is 19 or less.
- You or someone close to you is concerned about your eating or weight.
- You have milk leaking from your breasts and are not breastfeeding.
- You feel unwell in yourself .
- You have not had a period for six months after stopping the contraceptive pill .
- You are worried about your lack of periods.
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.
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Can Stress Make Your Period Late
Absolutely! Stress and anxiety can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to many symptoms such as diarrhea, rapid breathing, abdominal pain, and late periods. Stress can suppress the action of certain hormones that are needed to regulate your menstrual cycle. Thats why finding effective stress management techniques can be helpful in regulating your menstrual cycle.
Normal Cause Of A Missed Period During The First Year
- Skipping periods is common during the first 1 to 2 years after they start. This is due to not releasing an egg each month.
- This is most likely the cause if less than 2 years since the first period
- Has missed periods in the past or has had only 1 or 2 periods
- Otherwise healthy
- No signs of pregnancy such as breast tenderness, breast swelling or nausea
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Possible Reasons Why Your Periods Are Late
May 20, 2021 North Atlanta Women’s Care
While pregnancy is a possible reason for a missed or late period, other medical and lifestyle factors can delay your periods. This can include weight fluctuations, hormonal imbalances, stress, and menopause. Being aware of these conditions will help you identify and treat them on time to regularize your menstrual cycle.