Aunt Vadge: My Period Is Late But Im Not Pregnant Whats Going On
Hi Aunt Vadge,
Ok so my period usually runs like clockwork every month, sometimes one day early or one day late but this time its five days late and still hasnt come. Im not sexually active, but whats making it take so long?
This year is my leaving cert and next month I have my orals, and I guess Im stressed over them a lot lately and Im just anxious about the exams. Every night I get that feeling that I think its going to come, but it hasnt, so Im just worried now and its stressing me out too. I have tenderness but no real cramps yet.
Yours,Country/Area: Ireland
Hi there Late,
Your period is usually late because you ovulated late. Often if youve been travelling, had stressful things going on , or stuff has been happening in your life, you may ovulate late.
When you ovulate late, you get your period late. This is just because the number of days between ovulation and your period are always the same, but the number of days between when you get your period and when you ovulate can and do change. First two weeks after your period may turn into three or four, but the two weeks before your period are fixed, once you ovulate. It can be hard to know when you ovulate, but once you do, the number of days stays the same. Its about two weeks.
Youll be fine. Itll come.
Warmest regards,
Why Is My Period Late
Every woman in their reproductive years and at puberty will notice cyclical bleeding called period or menstruation.
Normal period in girls last about 2-7 days with normal flow of 40 60 mls. Between 2 of your period is ovulation cycle or menstrual cycle.
The normal cycle is between 21 35 days and can vary due to stress, anxiety, illnesses or due to medical conditions.
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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.
Read Also: How To Get Your Period Without Birth Control
Warm Compress Or Bath
A warm bath may help relax tight muscles and relieve emotional stress. Perhaps this is the reason for anecdotal reports that this can help to bring on your period.
You can try adding some relaxing scented oil to a bath. You could also try using a warm compress such as a hot water bottle by applying it to the abdomen.
Heat may help you relax. It may also help increase blood flow to the area, thus gently accelerating the menstrual cycle. However, research is needed to support this.
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 you’re under, your body decided it was not a good time to get pregnant. It’s your body’s way of protecting you,” says Dr. Goist. But as long as you can get your stress under control and it’s an isolated thing, it’s no big deal if you miss a period or it’s super late one time.
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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 don’t 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.
How Long Is It Normal For A Period To Be Late
Your menstrual cycle can vary in length depending on a number of factors, such as stress, diet or whether you have started taking a new contraceptive method. Your period can vary from month to month by about 7 to 9 days. This is perfectly normal for most women and a variation in the start date of your period doesnt necessarily mean that your period is late. To find out more about why your period is late click here.
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Reason : Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an insulin-sensitive condition. Women with PCOS either produce too much insulin, or are insulin-resistant.
PCOS prevents the ovaries from producing enough hormones to mature your eggs. In a typical menstrual cycle, each ovary develops roughly five follicles that start to grow and fill with fluid. With PCOS, women often have more than five follicles, which take longer to grow and fill with fluid. These extra follicles delay this phase of the menstrual cycle and cause late periods.
Additionally, PCOS is accompanied by increased levels of a testosterone-like hormone, androgen, another cause of a late period. Other symptoms of PCOS include thick hair growth on the face and breasts.
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Late periods
- Weight gain
What to Do
Doctors often prescribe birth control pills to regulate hormones, metformin to prevent diabetes, statins to control high cholesterol, and hormones to increase fertility and remove unwanted hair.
A progesterone prescription can be taken for two weeks and then stopped to simulate a normal period cycle.
No Period Not Pregnant What Can Be The Hidden Causes
1. Stress
It is common to experience amenorrhea after a stressful event in females. Such a condition is called hypothalamic amenorrhea. Hypothalamus is the part of brain which regulates the reproductive system it is also responsible for the release of hormones that participate in the pregnancy process.A hormonal disturbance caused by significant stress can result in amenorrhea in most cases.
2. Low Weight
Low body weight or extremely low caloric intake suppresses the activity of hypothalamus in which case hypothalamus does not release the required female hormone to buildthe uterine lining.Some conditions associated with weight loss such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa also causes a decline or an increase in estrogen levels, both resulting in abnormal periods or no periods.
3. Thyroid Disorder
Thyroid gland is responsible for the regulation of metabolism, reproduction, energy generation and maintenance of associated systems. If a person is suffering from thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism then a significant effect on the menstrual cycle is also observed in the form of amenorrhea.
4. PCO
Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by formation of small cysts in the ovary and associated areas. Some of the classic symptoms of PCOS include missed periods , fertility issues, weight loss, etc. The pathophysiology revolves around an imbalance in female reproductive hormones including estrogen, progesterone.
5. Birth Control
6. Premature Menopause
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Two Types Of Missed Period
In medicine, a missed period is called amenorrhea. Physicians categorize amenorrhea in two major types: primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea.
Primary Amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea is a condition in which a female older than 15 years of age has never had any period, i.e. her periods have not started yet. The reason can be genetic or due tocertain diseases.
Causes: Lack of presence of uterus from birth, immature development of uterus and genetic abnormalities are some of the common causes of amenorrhea.
Secondary Amenorrhea
A condition in which the female is not having her periods from past three months or more is categorized as secondary amenorrhea.
Causes: The causes of secondary amenorrhea can be various, including polycystic ovaries , underweight, anxiety and stress, tumor of pituitary gland, etc. It can also mean pregnancy but it is noteworthy that no period, not pregnant can also be the case.
I Got A Negative Result What Should I Do Next
If youre still not sure about the result, you wait until the day of your expected period to test, or test again in three days time if youve missed your period, with a pregnancy test from a reliable brand and follow the instructions carefully. You can also go to your doctor if you have doubts. You may get tested at the clinic or your doctor may recommend another brand of test to use.
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What Should I Do If I Have Not Started My Period
Girls start their periods at a very variable age. So it may be that your friends have been having periods for a while but you have not. Usually this will be normal variation and nothing to worry about. Ask your doctor’s advice if:
- You are 16 years old or older and still have no periods.
- You are 14 years old or older and have not developed breasts or pubic hair and do not have periods.
- You have a pain in your tummy every month but no bleeding.
- You can feel a lump in the lower part of your tummy.
- You have had sex without using contraception .
Youve Lost Or Gained Weight
Severe changes in body weight can screw with your periods timing. Extreme increases or decreases in body fat, for example, can lead to a hormonal imbalance that causes your period to come late or stop entirely.
In addition, severe calorie restriction affects the part of your brain that talks to your endocrine system and gives instructions for the creation of reproductive hormones. When this communication channel is disrupted, hormones can get out of whack.
Read Also: Why Is My Period Cycle Irregular
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.
Why Is My Period Late On Birth Control
Contraceptives can help regulate your periods, but other factors including stress, diet, and changes in weight can still affect your menstrual cycle. It’s also possible to experience oligomenorrhea, infrequent or abnormally light bleeding, while using contraceptives.
Read Also: How Many Days After My Period Can I Get Pregnant
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.
You Know Youre Not Pregnant So Whats With The Missing Period
Its the 16th of the monthor whenever you expected to start your periodand still not a drop of blood in sight. We all know that pit-of-your-stomach feeling. Is it time to run to the nearest pharmacy for a pregnancy test? Perhaps. But maybe not.
If youre definitely not having sex and your period is late or absent, dont sweat it: Youre not pregnant with a ghost! There are a number of different reasons your period could be late that have nothing to do with semen. From hormonal imbalances to simply not sleeping enough, here are 10 common reasons for a late or irregular period.
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Reducing Exercise If Youre An Athlete
Missing periods may occur due to low energy availability, especially in adolescent athletes. This can occur if you arent taking in enough energy relative to the energy youre burning through exercise.
People who limit their food intake and engage in extreme exercise, with or without the use of laxatives, may develop amenorrhoea. This may be considered a warning sign for other health issues associated with low energy, such as poor bone accrual and low bone mineral density, both of which are associated with decreased bone strength.
If you may have amenorrhoea due to low energy availability, it is best to reduce the amount of exercise you do on a daily basis. You may want to see a doctor or trainer to determine how much exercise is safe for you to perform.
Faq: Why Am I Late For My Period But Not Pregnant
How soon do pregnancy symptoms start?
Very early pregnancy symptoms may show up before you miss your period, as soon as a few days after conception, while other early signs of pregnancy might appear around one week after sperm meets egg.
How soon will you see signs of pregnancy?
Some women may notice symptoms as early as 5 DPO, although they wont know for certain that they are pregnant until much later. Early signs and symptoms include implantation bleeding or cramps, which can occur 56 days after the sperm fertilizes the egg. Other early symptoms include breast tenderness and mood changes.
Can I be pregnant if my period is 6 days late?
Many women know if they have a late period, and some keep a calendar to make sure. A late period can turn into a missed period if pregnancy has occurred. But it can also be very normal because womens periods can develop at unpredictable intervals.
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How Late Can Your Period Be
If you dont have any known condition affecting your menstrual cycle, your period should start within 21 to 35 days of your last period, depending on your normal cycle. Regular periods can vary. If your regular cycle is 28 days and you still have not had your period on day 29, your period is officially considered late.
Late Period: Everything You Need To Know
Having a late period might come as a surprise, especially if youre not trying to get pregnant. Should you take a pregnancy test? The truth is, there are many reasons for late periods other than pregnancy. Your health, age, diet, stress, and exercise can all affect the regularity of your menstrual cycle. In this article, well look at the most common late period causes and go over some common questions about delayed menstruation.
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Birth Control And Late Periods
It is completely normal for women who are on birth control pills to miss a period or find that there period is late. You might also find that your periods are lighter and less painful also you might notice some spotting is common during the first three months of taking your pill. Depending on the pill you are taking your periods could stop altogether, however many women find that the pill helps to regulate their periods.
Reason : Chronic Diseases
Chronic illnesses are diseases that last for three months or longer. Conditions like blood disease, liver disease, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, all take their toll on our menstrual cycle as we try to get them under control. These diseases cannot be prevented by a vaccine, cured by medication or resolved on their own. They usually affect one or more organs, but the whole body suffers. When the body is under chronic stress, it may cause a late period.
It may be due to the body functioning under too much stress while trying to resolve the major illness. Couple that with the inability to absorb nutrients or no appetite, and it can cause a late period. Add to that constant inflammation along with multiple medications that accompany chronic illness. It all adds up to late periods.
Conversely, the menstrual cycle often exacerbates symptoms of illness. So, the illness may also feel worse during our cycles.
Stress and sickness may overtake our menstrual cycle, causing a late period. Conversely, we may take medications to stop our period, or allow it to stop, to avoid exacerbating the illness.
Symptoms of chronic diseases
What to Do
When facing a chronic illness, your healthcare practitioner will be able to explain some of the side effects that may cause a late period, either due to the disease or to its treatment and medications.
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