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.
Thank god, my period is way better now. I read all the articles and I’m ordering a menstrual cup right now. Thank you for the help, I’m grateful.
-Autumn
Hi Hazel!
If you are concerned about pregnancy we recommend taking an at-home pregnancy test. If you are experiencing anything of concern it is best to contact a medical professional.
Best,
Team Lunette
Hi, so I have a question my period is late and not so long ago i tried to have sexual relationships with my boyfriend but it didn’t happen because it was painful since it was my first time but now my period is late what do i do
I’ve been trying to figure out for the past 3 days how I could possibly be pregnant. My period comes like clockwork between the 16th-19th every month. I’ve never been so regular in my
Life. On December 15th. I had set On dec. 17th I had my Copper-T (non-hormonal) IUD removed. On December 18th, my period came on. Fast forward to January 1st. I come down with a wicked flu and I have never had the flu in my life and it was TERRIBLE!!! on January 3-5 (my expected ovulation date) my fling (not even mybf) wants to come over but I tell him no cause I’m sick but that was only part of the reason. I avoided him mostly because I thought I was ovulating and I just had my BC removed and didn’t want to get pregnant. At least not immediately. Moving on, during these 3 days of what I think to be ovulation, I was experiencing some spotting which is out of the norm for me but I googled it and it came up as a sign of ovulation so then I thought great. So, fast forward to January 18th, my period hasn’t come yet so I’m thinking it’s going to come by the next 2 days so I finally go see my fling and we have sex. 3rd round we didn’t use a condom & he ejaculates in me 🙄. Anyways, I didn’t care because in my mind, I knew I ovulated already and my period is coming any hour now so I’m in the clear. But NOPE!!!!! I’m pregnant! I found out on January 30th. So now I’m thinking what possibly threw off my cycle and ovulation date. After reading this, It was probably definitely the flu. 😩
Hi Shiela!
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, being ill can delay your period and it can take a while for your period to catch back up with your cycle. If the cycle doesn’t get back to normal for next month we recommend contacting a doctor.
Wishing you all the best!
Team Lunette