Why Would Your Period Be Late

Why Is My Period Late Reason #: Stress

Every woman has experienced stress at some point in her life. This can be a work, personal or other related issue. Regardless, stress can affect a section in the brain that plays a big role in hormone production, the hypothalamus. Whether you are experiencing stress at work, or in your personal life, it could be the explanation why your period is late/skipped.

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.

You’re Experiencing Early Menopause

One of the defining signs of menopause is the total disappearance of the menstrual cycle for more than 12 months. Most individuals who have a menstrual cycle anticipate they will experience this sometime during their late 40s or early 50s. But for some, it can happen earlier.

Perimenopause refers to the temporary stage right before full-blown menopause occurs. During this time, the ovaries start to produce less estrogen than normal, which causes you to get your period less often.

Even if you’re below the typical menopausal age, this is not something you should rule out entirely. The American Pregnancy Association says one out of every 1,000 women between age 15 and 29 will experience premature menopause.

In general, if your late period is accompanied by night sweats or vaginal dryness, you may want to ask your doctor about checking for perimenopause.

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What To Do When Your Period Is Late

If your period is more than a week late and you got a negative pregnancy test, you may want to schedule an appointment with your health care provider to be safe. Your doctor can do a blood test to confirm that youre not pregnant.

If the blood test is also negative and your practitioner rules out any other possible concerns, its fine to sit back and go with the flow . Every woman skips a period now and then, especially if shes under stress or has been sick. Relax and do what you can to ease anxiety by eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

How Long After A Missed Period Should I Take A Pregnancy Test

You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG.

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When To Call Your Healthcare Provider

Missing a period every once in a while is usually not cause for concern. That said, you should see a healthcare provider if you miss more than one period, or your missed period is accompanied by new or unusual symptoms.

Seek medical attention right away if you also experience any of the following:

• New or worsening headaches

Reason #: Taking New Medication

Certain medication can interfere with your hormone levels, and could be the reason for a delayed or missed period. You should ask your healthcare provider if you have recently started or switched to new medication. When first coming off hormonal birth control, it may also take some time for your regular periods to return.

It can still be considered ‘normal’ to miss 1-2 periods per year. However, if you experience a late or missed period for more than 2 months in a row and you have previously had regular cycles, you should seek advice from you healthcare professional.

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Why Is My Period Late Reason #: Thyroid Irregularity

Located in your neck, the thyroid gland regulates your metabolism. Besides regulating metabolism, it also affects other parts of the body to keep things going. If you are suffering from any kind of thyroid irregularity, that can have implications on your cycle. If you suspect a thyroid disorder, you should check with your healthcare professional for further examination to confirm that this is the reason for your missed period.

When To See Your Gp

See your GP if you’re not pregnant you’ve had a negative pregnancy test and you’ve missed more than 3 periods in a row.

If you’re sexually active and you have not taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one.

They may also ask you about:

• your medical history
• any emotional issues you’re having
• any recent changes in your weight
• the amount of exercise you do

Your GP may recommend waiting to see whether your periods return on their own. In some cases you may need treatment for your periods to return.

You should also see your GP if your periods stop before you’re 45 or if you’re still bleeding when you’re over 55.

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Standard Schedules For Different Types Of Birth Control Pills And Methods

Here is when youre supposed to get your period, based on method:

Combination birth control pills:

There are various regimens of combination birth control pills, each with its own schedule. The regimen where you have 21 days of active pills and then 7 days of inactive pills is most common. Here they are:

• Traditional 7-day schedule : You would have your period during the 4th week of the month, for 7 days.

• Traditional 4-day schedule: You would have 24 active pills and then have your period during the last 4 days of the pack.

• Continuous or extended-cycle: You would take active pills for longer than 28 days.

Most have 84 days of active hormones followed by 7 days of placebo, or 7 days of a low-dose hormone. Youd theoretically have a period during the final week of a 3-month period on such a schedule.

Birth control patch:

The birth control patch is designed to be applied once a week for 3 weeks and then removed for 7 days. Its in that fourth week that youd expect a menstrual period. Youd then continue the pattern of 3 weeks on the patch, 1 week off.

Birth control vaginal ring

The vaginal ring, like Annoveraâ¢, was also designed to be in place for 3 weeks and then removed for 1 week. Its during the week without the ring when youd expect to get your period. The following month, youd go back to the same schedule of 3 weeks with the ring and 1 week without. Again, the makers of the ring designed it so you could have a menstrual bleed.

Birth control arm implant or IUD

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

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Nutrient Deficiencies Or Chronic Disease

Underling nutrient deficiencies or chronic disease are a third reason your body may decide to delay or halt ovulation, making your period late. When these conditions go unaddressed, your body can perceive this as yet another form of stress.

Being malnourished or suffering from an unmanaged condition like an autoimmune disease are common reasons for irregular cycles or missing periods.

If your period has been missing or irregular for some time, it is always a good idea to visit your primary healthcare provider for a full checkup including lab work. Some blood tests to discuss with your doctor include:

• Iron studies

• Follicle Stimulating Hormone and LH

How Many Days Your Period Can Be Late For

You have every right to be confused and upset if you are trying to conceive but keep seeing a negative pregnancy test even when your period gets late. Under normal circumstances, the ovaries release an egg per month, around two weeks after the beginning of the period. The uteruss inner lining sheds if the egg remains unfertilized, marking the beginning of the period. But how late can your period be? How can you know if its a pregnancy or a just an irregular period?

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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.

Reason #: Thyroid Irregularity

Located in your neck, the thyroid gland regulates your metabolism. Besides regulating metabolism, it also affects other parts of the body to keep things going. If you are suffering from any kind of thyroid irregularity, that can have implications on your cycle. If you suspect a thyroid disorder, you should check with your healthcare professional for further examination to confirm that this is the reason for your missed period.

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Why Is My Period 10 Days Late But Pregnancy Test Negative

• Why is my period 9 days late?

Can pregnancy test be negative 10 days after missed period?

If you think you may be pregnant after a missed period but got a negative result on your pregnancy test, wait a few days. Then retest. If you continue to miss your period, be sure to talk to your doctor to rule out any complications.

Why is my period 10 days late when I’m 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 in a woman’s life when it’s totally normal for her period to be irregular: when it first begins, and when menopause starts.

Can you get a false negative at 10 days late?

The earliest time to test for an accurate result is 7-10 days after a missed period. The best time of day to take a pregnancy test is first thing in the morning when a woman’s urine is highly concentrated. Because urine may be less concentrated later in the day, the test may not be able to detect the hCG hormone.

How Many Days Late Can Your Period Be What Others Say

I didnt have my period for two whole months but I wasnt pregnant, never had a baby before, didnt have any health issues and wasnt even on the pill. I had regular periods before that but it was stress that did it for me. This past year, I have had two late periods but otherwise my periods are very regular.

If you ask me, changes in the routine or stress can delay the ovulation sometimes so it is highly likely that you arent pregnant if you have a late period. However, I think it is best to get a pregnancy test just to be sure.

In my opinion, the answer to the questionhow many days late can you period be depends on your ovulation timings. Your period will be late if your ovulation starts late. Thus, unless you are tracking ovulation, there is no way to find out if your period is late or not. I havent had a period in 4 months after my miscarriage. I have just begun to ovulate again and I know that I will have my period in the next few days.

I have always had irregular periods so I just wait and see what happens, if it happens at all. However, when I did get pregnant, I knew about my pregnancy way before I missed my period. My point is that everyone is different and it is better to have a pregnancy test to be sure.

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Why Is My Period 9 Days Late

Periods can be late for all kinds of reasons, like weight changes, increase in exercise, hormones, and stress. It’s also really common for periods to change in timing and flow during the first few years of your menstrual cycle, while your body develops and settles into a pattern.

The best time to take a pregnancy test is after your period is late. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait for at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of hCG.

You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG.

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How Does Stress Make Your Period Late Lets Break It Down

Heightened stress levels cause an increase in the production of stress hormones like cortisol. Short bursts of stress hormones are not major issues for your hormonal balance. After the initial shock, stress hormone levels tend to return to baseline fairly quickly.

Ongoing, chronic stress can cause a ripple effect to the delicate balance of your reproductive hormones which are responsible for keeping your cycles regular and symptom-free.

Stress can lead to changes in the length of your period, as well as a whole host of other hormonal symptoms like PMS, painful periods, acne breakouts and fatigue.

Delayed or missing periods arent truly related to your period arriving late, but rather late ovulation. Heightened stress causes the body to delay ovulating until a safer time arrives.

Whilst a late period is anything but reassuring, it is actually a sign of our body trying to keep us safe. During periods of extreme stress, conceiving a child and adding more responsibility to our life is deemed an unsafe possibility.

Your body has the ability to shut down or delay ovulation until a time that it feels your environment is safe again. This might be a few days or weeks, or it may be several months or years depending on the nature of your stress.

It is a commonly held myth that your body can ovulate but then delay bleeding for several weeks or months. The part of your cycle which is delayed is almost always the follicular phase , rather than the luteal phase .

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