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.
145 comments
I have just been perusing blogs and freaking out! I took two morning after pills in the same week at the end of March got my period extra early in April. I planned to get an IUD put in place with my doctor to make better decisions and made sure to only have protected sex by both spermicide and Condoms. However time for my second period and its 3 days late. I keep having this feeling like I have to pee my breasts are tender and I’m constipated and I have nausea. I’m stressed with finals and a business and work and my diet has been less thank great. I did my best to stay safe and all my pregnancy tests have come back negative. I am wondering if this could be the work of Plan B messing up my hormones. I feel horrible and could absolutely not take being pregnant right now. Good luck to everyone else I will update with my outcome as seeing others outcomes have always helped me. Please for the love of god find a consistent birth control method that works for you! Save yourself the stress.
hi! ive had my period last march 4 and it was really heavy, nothing like i experienced. i even leaked blood on a public place and i was totally embarrassed. after my period was off, on march 11 my boyfriend and i did a few stuff, but we didn’t have sex. he only placed the tip on the outer part of my v-gin- and he didn’t cum inside. is it possible to be pregnant from that? i haven’t had my period since.
Hi Naima! If you’re concerned about pregnancy we recommend taking an at home pregnancy test. :)
-Team Lunette
Hi Renee! Because everybody and every BODY is different, and because we are not medical professionals, we cannot offer medical diagnosis or advice. We recommend consulting a doctor for your concerns so that they can help offer you relief for the pain that you’ve been experiencing. <3
-Team Lunette
Hello last month my period was one day late I usually get my period on time I have low iron and under weight but I do take iron pills and I just started a CNA job put alot of stress on my body I had all my period symptoms and I’m three days late I might my period I just don’t because usually my period symptoms go away and which they have then my period starts which hasn’t happened yet.
Hi, I had sex with my girlfriend first week of march and she took a tablet of postinor 2. she saw her monthly flow on the 19th of march but she is experiencing a delay in the month of April. What could be the cause
Hey guys. The last time I had sex was December 29th, and it was protected. I’ve had 3 normal periods since, but now my period is 2 days late. I don’t know if it’s stress or not, but is there any way I could be pregnant even though I got my periods?
Hi, I have been having extremely painful periods for the last few months but they seem to be getting worse as time goes on. Aside from extremely uncomfortable period cramps, I also have been experiencing leg pain as well as very sore feet making it uncomfortable to walk, but also unpleasant to sit or lay down as well. My last period was very painful, forcing me to stay home for a day. I am not sure if these are normal period side effects since I have not heard of this to be very common although I have been suspecting endometriosis? I am also a little stressed since my period is usually quite regular, but is now 7 days late and I haven’t had sex. I’m wondering if it could be associated with my painful periods in any way or also from changes in my normal daily life from COVID 19? I would be very grateful for any advice or explanations. Thank you so much.
Hi Jessica! Morning after pills have an immense amount of hormones and these can cause changes to your cycle for months to come. If you’re concerned about pregnancy we recommend taking an at-home pregnancy test. :) For the food poisoning symptoms we recommend contacting a doctor, as we are not medical professionals we unfortunately can’t offer diagnosis or treatment. Wishing you all the best!
-Team Lunette
Hi Luna! If you’re concerned about pregnancy we recommend taking an at-home pregnancy test.
-Team Lunette