6 Reasons Your Period Could Be Late Besides Being Pregnant
Whether you get your period every 28 days like clockwork or have a flow that prefers to come and go as it pleases, having a period go MIA often feels like cause for alarm. Your mind runs wild with thoughts of pregnancy tests and ultrasounds and watching your baby graduate college - an imaginary life that you’ve created and nurtured and helped grow all because that little bit of blood you were hoping to find this morning didn’t make it’s appearance. Whether pregnancy right now is your goal or you’re holding off temporarily or forever, a fetus in utero is certainly not the only cause of a period gone rogue. We often get asked the following questions frequntly regarding this:
Why is my period late?
How late can my period be?
Why haven't I started my period?
Here are our 6 reasons, besides being pregnant, that your period could be late that will hopefully answer those questions above.
1. Can stress delay your period?
If you’ve been running yourself ragged at work or dealing with other stressors, especially traumatic ones, your period could be late. This is called hypothalamic amenorrhea. “The hypothalamus is the center of the brain and controls reproduction. It produces a hormone that signals the production of other hormones needed for ovulation,” according to Shady Grove Fertility. So, if you’ve been stressed about something - big or small - do your best to find some time for relaxation. If you’ve experienced a traumatic situation, you should call your doctor and seek a professional opinion.
2. Can being sick delay your period?
The amazing things your body does are all intertwined on some level. When one system isn’t working as well as it should, the others are affected, too. It’s like a game of survival - which bodily process is the most important right now? If you have a common cold, the flu, a sickness bug or some other type of illness, your menstrual cycle is likely the first to be shut down in order to get the rest of your body back up to speed. Therefore being sick can delay or cause your period to be late.
3. Weight fluctuations
Say hello to your hypothalamus again (the center in the brain that controls reproductive hormones, like estrogen). When you experience extreme fluctuations in your weight, the amount of estrogen released can impact whether you get your period or not. If you lose a lot of weight quickly, your body won’t produce enough estrogen. Too much weight gain and your body will have too much estrogen. Either way, this could be a reason your period is late.
4. Change in your schedule
Minor changes in your schedule aren’t going to have an impact on your menstrual cycle but intense ones, like switching to the night shift or having jet lag from traveling across the world (you jetsetter, you!), can. The good news is that it’s temporary. Once your body acclimates to your new schedule, your periods should resume as normal. If they don’t, it’s worth calling your doctor about.
5. Hormonal imbalance
Hormones, of course, play a large role in your menstrual cycle. They determine the heaviness, the length, and even whether your period comes at all. If your hormones are out of whack, you may not menstruate. One cause could be PCOS. Another could be endometriosis. If you suspect this is the case, call your doctor. They’ll be able to put you on a path to help regulate symptoms.
6. Your birth control
Yes, even if you don’t skip the sugar pills, your birth control could be editing your menstrual cycle. Whether you have an IUD, get Depo shots, or are on the pill, the hormonal changes caused by birth control can sometimes eliminate or lessen your period. While this can sometimes be a welcome side effect, it’s good to know that it’s actually the cause of a late or nonexistent period. If you think you’re pregnant, it’s always a good idea to take a test. Otherwise, talk to your doctor about your late period - they can provide valuable insight and ease your mind. If you are looking for sustainable, stress free period then check out our range of period products.
125 comments
Hi Aishi!
Sorry to hear your period is late! I totally understand that it causes stress and insecurity. Many reasons might delay your period, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle changes like a new schedule. Being sick or taking medication to treat an illness can also cause irregularities.
Delayed periods can always be an indication of pregnancy. Please note that the easiest way to find out if you are pregnant is with an at-home pregnancy test.
If the period doesn’t return until next month, if you think you might be pregnant or generally if you are worried, I would recommend consulting a doctor. Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations.
Best regards, Team Lunette
Hi Aishi!
Sorry to hear your period is late! I totally understand that it causes stress and insecurity. Many reasons might delay your period, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle changes like a new schedule. Being sick or taking medication to treat an illness can also cause irregularities.
Delayed periods can always be an indication of pregnancy. Please note that the easiest way to find out if you are pregnant is with an at-home pregnancy test.
If the period doesn’t return until next month, if you think you might be pregnant or generally if you are worried, I would recommend consulting a doctor. Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations.
Best regards, Team Lunette
I have PCOS and I have sex with my partner using protection 2days before periods. Now my period is 3days delay.should be I m pregnant or not and in which day start periods?
Hi Marlene!
Have you completely skipped one of your periods according to your cycle or are your periods delayed a few days from normal (under 4 week cycle)?
Average cycle length can vary anywhere from 21-45 days, and the period is usually 3-7 days depending on the person. However, if your period is normally very regular there might be a reason why it is late this time. Keep tracking your cycle with a period app or by making notes to your calendar. This way you can be up to date with your cycle :)
If the period doesn’t return until next month, if you think you might be pregnant or generally if you are worried, I would recommend consulting a doctor. Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations.
-Team Lunette
Hi Hope!
Sorry to hear that you have been sick and have had delayed periods. Many reasons might delay your period, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or even catching a cold. So it could be very possible that your periods are only delayed because you got sick. Hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, and many things can affect your hormone function and balance. However, delayed periods can always be an indication of pregnancy. Please note that the easiest way to find out if you are pregnant is with an at-home pregnancy test.
Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations and tell you what is going on.
Best,
Team Lunette
Hello, so I haven’t had my period for 4 weeks and the last I had sex was 4 weeks ago after my period but I don’t feel any symptoms and I also took a pregnancy test and it was negative
So I was getting ready to have my period, I had all the symptoms and everything. I had acne, my boobs were sore and that morning I was having cramps when I woke up. I caught a very bad sickness bug on the same day. I was puking and had a bad stomach ache and diarrhea. I’m better now but my period hasn’t came in about 5 days, I have had sex but I was very careful. Do you think I could be pregnant or is my period just pushed back?
Hi Chyna!
We are sorry to hear that your period is late. Many reasons might delay your period, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle changes like a new schedule. Hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, and many things can affect your hormone function and balance. Delayed periods can always be an indication of pregnancy. Please note that the easiest way to find out if you are pregnant is with an at-home pregnancy test.
Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations and tell you what is going on.
-Team Lunette
So its been two months sincemy last period and I’m a virgin. Should I seek help from a doctor?
Hi Misty,
every body and every person is unique, so is their period and cycle. Some have a regular cycle, others have an irregular cycl.e Some have a short cycle, others have a long cycle. There is no "normal "when it comes to this. Is your period indeed irregular, meaning one time it is coming earlier and the next time later than your app predicts or is your period always couple of days later than your app says? If this is the case your cycle maybe longer than the average cycle length your app uses? With irregular cycles it is confusing as you never really know when your period is about to start. Please keep in mind that we are not medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations. So please visit a doctor if you worry about your cycle.
Best regards, Team Lunette
Hi Miles,
I am sorry to hear your period is late. I totally understand that it causes stress and insecurity. Many reasons might delay your period, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle changes like a new schedule. Hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, and many things can affect your hormone function and balance.
Delayed periods can always be an indication of pregnancy. Please note that the easiest way to find out if you are pregnant is with an at-home pregnancy test. Please keep in mind that we are not medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations. So please visit a doctor if you worry about a possible pregnancy and/or if your period doesn’t show up, despite a negative pregnancy test (you may want to take one again to be on the safe side).
Best regards, Team Lunette
Hello my period been off since I started my period back when I was young I never know when I will start it’s different every month and I don’t know what is causes it I wish it will start on the day when its supposed to I have a period tracker on my phone telling when my period supposed to start but its never right I put in the day I start and the next month it’s telling me it’s wrong I’m always late every month so what’s the deal with that it could be my hormones are stress but if that’s true my period never going to be right that’s what life is stress I wish my body will wake up and not be mess up so it be straighten out
Hi I’m ftm and I am 5 days late for my period mine always last 4 days and sometimes because it’s only 4days I have two periods In 1 month I had one at the beginning of March and was supposed to start 25th but didn’t I had cramps I felt it coming like usual sore nips and feeling like an emotional wreck this whole 5 days also I’m a virgin never done anything with a man I’m 22 I know my cycles very well I’ve only had this happen once when I was 17 but it was only 2 days late and I’m feeling the normal mount of stress I haven’t since Christmas I haven’t lost or gained weight I weigh about 220 pounds I don’t take birth control or anything like that
I was a virgin then I did the deed on the first week of January on a Thursday my period usually comes at the end of the month and it’s January 27 and the last time I had my period was December 31 I’m scared and if I am pregnant I’m not ready.
I was to start my cycle Dec 15, 2022. I still have yet to start. My last period was Nov 15th. I did have unprotected sex Oct 28th, but my partner was very careful. I have had on and off cramps with breast tenderness, which made me believe my cycle is coming. I turned 39 recently, in September. I also been under ternmemdous amount of stress and anxiety for about 3 months due to financial reasons and a big change. What could be going on and what could cause a false positive test? I have an appointment scheduled a week from now in fear of some health concern or possible cyst. One things right now, is its not a good time to be pregnant. Should I even be concerned for pregnancy?
Hi. I had protected sex on 7th October. It was also the first day of ovulation as per the app I use. I am now late by two days as per the app. I have also been stressed ever since. I had PMS symptoms from 18-20th but no period. Should I be worried?
I am kind of freaking out reading about it in all these blogs and apps. Please lmk what I should do!
Hi! I’m 33 years old. I’ve never been sexually active, never used any form of birth control other than abstinence, and always had unpredictable periods. I mean wildly unpredictable. I carry pads in my purse full-time, and I don’t have any sheets without blood stains, because I never know when to expect it. A few months ago I decided to give keeping track one more shot, to see if maybe it is regular after all, just at longer intervals than with other people. According to the app I’m using, today is the 136th day of my cycle, and this time I’m certain I didn’t forget to record anything; it really has been that long. There have been no significant lifestyle changes lately, no unusual stressors, and no noticeable weight gain or loss. My best friend is more than three months pregnant, but even she had a period more recently than I did. Since I’m not interested in ever having children of my own, I really wouldn’t complain if I never have a period again, but should I be concerned about why it’s not happening?
Hi Llily!
Sorry to hear your period is late! I totally understand that it causes stress and insecurity.
Many reasons might delay your period, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle changes like a new schedule. Being sick and taking some medication may also influence and mess up with your menstrual cycle. Hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, and many things can affect your hormone function and balance.
Especially when you are young and started with your period it is common that the period is irregular. It may not come for several weeks. Or on the contrary, it may also happen that you just had your period and it is coming again quickly. Your body and hormones need to find their balance first and during this phase, which may take some time, it is common for the period to be irregular. This means it can be irregular when it comes to the length of the menstrual cycle, but also when it comes to the length and intensity of the period itself.
Keep tracking your cycle with a period app or by making notes to your calendar. This way you can be up to date with your cycle :) It may also be a good idea to always have a small pouch with you which contains some period products, so that you won’t be caught by surprise when the period is coming.
If the period doesn’t return until next month, if you think you might be pregnant or generally if you are worried, I would recommend consulting a doctor. Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything else I can help with! :)
Best regards,
Team Lunette
Hey … i had halfway sex 3weeks ago and remain a virgin we usually do it buy his month my periods are late i was suppose to start them few days ago but no..im worried and still young.
i was so worried because i’m a virgin and i missed my period a little over a month, but i did travel across the world (from america to japan) the time is completely flipped so i hope that’s the cause
Hey, thank you so mush for this. I’m a competitive swimmer, that in mind, I had and have a lot of races coming up that I need to perform well on SOO I’ve been stressing myself out. It’s been about two months since i hadn’t had my period, I’m STILL A VIRGIN! haha, On the other hand, after one of the races, I also got sick for almost two full weeks. I never took the time for myself, to relax or whatever. Thank you for this though.
Hi my age is 27 and I am fixed tub cutting. I’m not worried about pregnancy. I have not had my period for 3 months now and I’m starting to not feel well by gained weight. When I had my last child in 2014 and I did not have my period Back until I got fixed which was in 2017. Ever since then they have been regular every month but now I’m up to 3 months and I gained weight, but I dont rely eat a lot.
Hi Kari,
Hi Jojo,
Many reasons might delay your period, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or lifestyle changes like a new schedule. Hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, and many things can affect your hormone function and balance.
Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations. So if you worry about your period not coming, if it continues not to show up or if you believe there is something wrong, please visit a doctor. If you think you might be pregnant, please take an at home pregnancy test and/or discuss your concerns with your doctor.
Best regards, Team Lunette
Hey, my name is Kari and I haven’t got my period in two months, I’m worried. I don’t have a boyfriend or never did anything with any boy and I don’t know what’s wrong. Please respond when u can thank you🙏
so i am 2 days late and i was supposed to get my period on June 27 but i didn’t get then I hung out with my bf and he fingered me..i haven’t gotten my period now i reallt stressing out because i haven’t gotten and i don’t know what to do..
