Late Period: Other Things To Consider
Your doctor must examine you if you test negative for pregnancy even after missing three periods or more in succession. There can be two reasons for this:
You might have polycystic ovaries
PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is caused because of high amount of follicle production by the ovaries on the stimulation of abnormal levels of certain hormones. The follicles arent mature so they dont release an egg and since your ovulation hasnt begun, your period doesnt occur too. Acne, excessive hair growth on lower abdomen, chest and face and putting on excess weight around your waist are some other indications of PCOS.
You might have high levels of prolactin hormone in your body
There is a chance of you missing more than one period if you have high levels of prolactin in your body. Women produce this hormone only when they are breastfeeding and it is because of this that no periods occur during this time. Prolactin is most definitely the cause if your nipples are producing a milky discharge even if you arent breastfeeding or pregnant.
The reason for the absence or lateness of menstruation determines which treatment plan is to be used. Medications, hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle changes like stress reduction, exercise and diet are some of the treatment plans that can be used for dealing with this issue.
Is Period 4 Days Late White Discharge Due To Pregnancy
If your period is four days late with heavy white discharge, it might possibly signify pregnancy.
During your period cycle, there is a cyclical change in the texture and volume of discharge from your vagina. Just before period and due to a reduction of progesterone hormone, women have a dry vagina or thick discharge.
During ovulation and if youre pregnant, women have increased milky white discharge.
If your period is 4 days late and you experience increased vaginal discharge, then its likely due to pregnancy.
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.
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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.
My Period Is Late But I Took A Pregnancy Test And The Result Was Negative Could I Still Be Pregnant
Im 5 days late for my period. I took a pregnancy test when i was 2-3 days late.. could i still be pregnant?
If you take a pregnancy test after your period is late and get a negative result, youre unlikely to be pregnant. Home pregnancy tests are very accurate about 99 percent but a false negative is still possible. Try taking another pregnancy test in a day or two to double check.
There are many reasons your period could be late other than pregnancy. Stress, illness, and changes in weight or nutrition can all affect your menstrual cycle. If youre taking hormonal birth control or took emergency contraception, that can also change your period.
If youre still worried, you can contact your nurse or doctor, who can give you a pregnancy test and help figure out what might be going on with your period.
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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.
Address Your Sleep Hygiene
Poor sleep can increase cortisol levels, worsen fatigue and create a reliance on substances like caffeine and alcohol. These all fuel a worsened stress response and late periods. Set yourself a regular bedtime and stick to it! You will notice a huge difference simply by increasing the time you spend in bed.
If you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, try the 60 minutes of no-screen-time discussed above and consider a guided meditation right before sleep. Additionally, make sure your room is as dark as possible .
First thing in the morning, open your curtains and allow your eyes to receive natural light . This allows your body clock to reset and will help you feel more energised throughout the day .
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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
Diseases Such As Pcod
Diseases of ovary such as ovarian cancer or PCOD affect the normal functions of ovaries. So due to cysts or benign tumors ovaries wont be able to ovulate and hence you wont get your periods.
For those of you who dont know the reason for getting periods, the bleeding is due to sloughing off the vaginal lining. This vaginal lining is for implantation of the embryo if the egg and sperm fertilize.
In cases of PCOD and other illness, you wont be able to get pregnant too. Hence when you are suffering PCOD, you will get a late period and negative pregnancy test.
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What Are Irregular Periods
Even though girls get their periods on a cycle, that cycle can take different amounts of time each month. For example, a girl might get her period after 24 days one month and after 42 days the next. These are called irregular periods.
Irregular periods are very common, especially in a girl’s first few years of getting her period.
Firstly There Are A Few Underlying Reasons Why Your Period Might Be Late Or Missing:
You are currently pregnant – this is always worth checking, especially if you have a regular cycle which is suddenly late. Pregnancy tests generally only show positive results from around 12-14 days after ovulation, so it may be worth re-testing in a few days if you initially get a negative result
You are breastfeeding – once cycles return in the postpartum period, its common for there to be fluctuations in cycle lengths as your body returns to regular ovulation
You have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – irregular and late periods are a common feature of this condition.
You are entering peri-menopause or menopause – changes to the regularity of your menstrual cycles are common in the transition to menopause which usually occurs around ages 45-60
You recently stopped taking hormonal birth control – some women find that it takes several months for their natural hormone levels to return to baseline after coming off a hormonal contraceptive that suppresses ovulation . If you had regular cycles before going on hormonal contraception, your cycles will likely return to their regular pattern within 3-12 months. If this is not the case, you may have an underlying hormonal imbalance – check out what to do about that in my blog post here
If you dont fit any of these underlying causes above, the most likely reason your period is taking its sweet time to arrive is stress.
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How Many Days Late Can Your Period Be
I had my period late by 6 days.. Can I be pregnant? A pregnancy test is the first option to use to be certain of this because many factors can lead to late periods and every menstrual cycle is different. Generally speaking, if you usually have a regular menstrual cycle, a period up to 10 days late can be normal.
Having a late period can be because of a number of reasons:
- Delayed ovulation can be caused because of anxiety or stress which can result in a late period.
- You can miss your period if you have gained or lost a lot of weight as well.
- Other factors like hormonal imbalance, effects of drugs can all lead to late period.
It is also important to ensure accurate counting of your cycles or you will wrongly assume that you have had a late period. The first day of the cycle is the first day bleeding occurs. Begin counting the cycle from this first day to the 28th day to get the estimated arrival time of your period. However, if you find out that you are having irregular periods without being pregnant then consult a health care professional to know its cause.
Ask Yourself These Questions
1. What type of medication are you taking at the moment?
Contraceptives either in the form of injections, oral or implanted, certain chemotherapy drugs, antipsychotics antidepressants and thyroid medications can all cause amenorrhea in certain women.
2. What kind of workout routine do you follow?
3. Has your thyroid been checked before?
4. Are you chronically ill?
Understanding The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is the process by which your body prepares an egg for fertilization, and also the period in time when your body removes the egg to prepare for the next egg. This is sometimes called a “monthly cycle,” and while 28 days is an average menstrual cycle length, it can range from about 24 days to 34 days.
Menstrual Cycle Timeline
- Day 1: Your menstrual cycle begins with the start of your period. The tissue lining around your uterus breaks down and an unfertilized egg begins to leave through your vagina along with blood. The bleeding of a period usually lasts 4-8 days, averaging 5 days for US women.
- Day 5: Your estrogen levels rise once bleeding has stopped, and this does several things. These include:
- The lining of your uterus thickens, preparing it for a new egg.
- Ovarian sacs that contain eggs grow and mature, preparing one for ovulation.
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What Is Considered Late For A Period
All womens cycles vary, so its hard to define what is normal and not normal. But if youre wondering why is my period late, generally speaking, medical professionals say:
- A period is considered late if it hasnt started five or more days after the day you expected it to start.
- A period is considered missed if you havent had menstrual flow for 6 or more weeks after the start of your last period.
High Levels Of Stress
High levels of stress are an underrated cause of diseases. Stress is a risk factor for almost every disorder. High levels of stress can affect the microbes in your gut and can even make you infertile.
Mental or physical stress will neither let your menstrual cycle be normal nor will it allow you to conceive. So you will get late erratic periods and negative pregnancy test if you have high levels of stress.
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Medications Or Drugs And Smoking
Any medicines or drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor can also cause late period negative pregnancy test. Smoking is a cause of infertility in women. Taking drugs and other illegal stimulants is a reason for late period negative pregnancy test.
Drugs make conceiving hard. Even if you get pregnant, the drugs can damage your pregnancy.
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
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