Well, we all hate periods because it is messy and we expect them not to come before the due date. But what if your period gets delayed? A regular cycle that suddenly becoming irregular can be worrisome. Especially if you’re not planning for pregnancy!
However, there are many reasons why you might have a late period, ranging from hormonal imbalance to stress. Here are a few possible reasons for a late period.
Stress
Stress can actually affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, making it longer or shorter, or even causing a missed period. It is recommended to avoid situations that cause stress. Regular exercising, practicing meditation, and maintaining a proper sleep cycle can help your cycle maintain regularity.
Birth Control
Some types of birth control can cause women to miss their periods. Typically, these birth control methods consist of a form of estrogen combined with progesterone for a set amount of time. Sometimes, these hormones keep the lining of the uterus so thin that it is not enough to start shedding.This applies to all forms of hormonal birth control, including pills, patches, shots, implants, and rings. This is considered not so harmful in most cases but women are advised to visit a doctor with any concerns about their birth control methods.
Perimenopause
Around the age of 52, women experience menopause. Many women notice symptoms as early as 10 to 15 years before menopause. This phase is known as perimenopause and the delayed menstrual cycle is an indication of the fluctuations in estrogen levels. That’s why most women at this age experience irregular or missed periods.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal conditions play a major role in a woman’s menstrual cycle. Some hormones such as thyroid or prolactin hormones can cause women to miss their periods. If hormonal imbalance is the reason for a missed or late period, it can easily be detected with a blood test. The cause of these hormonal imbalances needs to be investigated by a doctor. In many cases, taking medication can help periods return to their normal cycle.
Weight Loss and Obesity
Weight loss can be a crucial reason for a woman to skip her periods. Being underweight or having a low body fat ratio can alter reproductive hormone levels, lowering them to levels where ovulation and menstruation do not occur. Just like weight loss, obesity is also a major reason for women to have late or missed periods. Obesity and missed periods can sometimes signal that a woman has a medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
So a woman needs to be correctly diagnosed by a doctor in both the aforementioned cases. The doctor might also recommend blood tests or an ultrasound of the ovaries to make sure that no underlying medical conditions are causing missed periods.
Pregnancy
Well, you cannot rule out pregnancy as a possible reason for your period being late. Indeed, it is a crucial thing to worry about. Women can still get pregnant even after using a birth control method correctly. A sexually active woman with a late period is highly recommended to take a pregnancy test. It is equally important to note that there are no forms of birth control that are 100% effective. If a woman has a negative result on the home pregnancy test but still hasn’t gotten her period, then she should see a doctor immediately.