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.
145 comments
Hi! So Ive been doing research because im really worried, I had sex on valentines day (which i was ovulating) with a condom but it broke and i took a morning pill the day after (also did not finish in me) and got my period the month of March but now I am 8 days late for my month of April and im not sure if i should be worried or not? I have been having symptoms of food poisoning on my 6th day of being late. Please help!
About 3 or 2 weeks ago I had unprotected sex and he stuck it in twice while he had cum on it and now I’m 8 days late. Can I really be pregnant?
Hi Tamarine! Sorry to hear your period is late! We totally understand it causes stress! The many reasons mentioned in this post can cause delayed periods, it is very common for menstruators to experience fluctuations in their cycle. :) If you’re concerned about the delay we encourage you to call a medical professional in your area who can better assist.
-Team Lunette
hi, i was worried because my period is delayed for 7 days but its not surprising at all because i always have irregular periods, i am expecting it come over 29 of march but its already april 7 now, so its delayed for 7 days, but i’m a virgin though and i dont feel any sickness everything is normal but i think i just gain weight because i eat way more often because of quarantine😂 pls answer im freaking out
So glad we could help, Mary!
Hi Ray! We completely understand that delayed periods can be very stressful. However, if there has been no chance of sperm getting into your vagina it is not possible to be pregnant. If you are feeling concerned it is a good idea to take an at home pregnancy test for peace of mind. :)
-Team Lunette
Thank you so much I’ve been sick these past few weeks and i started over thinking like why did my period not come. This is very helpful like now i can stop stressing
Hi Jamarie! Sorry to hear your period is late, we completely understand it can cause stress and insecurity! There are many reasons besides pregnancy that can delay periods, as mentioned in this post. If you are feeling concerned about your delayed period it is best to discuss it with your doctor. As we are not medical professionals we cannot offer medical diagnosis.
-Team Lunette
Hi Asher! So sorry to hear you’ve been feeling ill and sad about all the missed plans- we completely understand how frustrating it is! Please note we are not medical professionals and we therefore cannot provide diagnosis or treatment. I encourage you to reach out to your medical provider to discuss your concerns. <3
-Team Lunette
Hi Megs! As the post above mentions, being sick can absolutely affect your cycle. If you’re feeling concerned it is best to reach out to your doctor. :)
-Team Lunette
Hi Autumn! This makes us so happy to hear! <3
-Team Lunette
Hi.
My period is about a week late. I had sex twice about 2 weeks ago but we used a condom both times. Also two weeks ago, i was mandated to return to the US from Ghana (which I did, a 10 hour flight). I have also been stressing about COVID-19 as Ive been feeling sick on and off during the past week. Lastly I have been feeling depressed because of all of the plans COVID19 has cancelled in my life. Should I be worried about the late period or are there enough factors to warrant it being this late?
So I had unprotected sex 🤦🏾♀️ And it was around the time my period usually comes like literally my period comes around like the 15th of every month and my period never came on after that and I am going to wait to get a test because now could be too early and I can wait longer to see if it will come help me plz🤦🏾♀️
So me and my boyfriend have been doing dry sex, and grinding, but I haven’t started my period this month yet and its the end of the month, so I’m kind of freaking out and I’m 15 and I’m stressing over it and anxious, but my boyfriend never cum or anything and we both had full clothing on, so should I be worried or what should I do? I don’t want to be pregnant
I had some dry rubbing sex a couple weeks ago. Everything over clothes but I am late on my period. I had a viral infection and took a steroid and tamiflu medications. Is it common for period to be late when taking those things?
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
Last month i got my period on time and was also sick with something. Period came and finished normally. Then a week later i got a stomach flu for about 3 days. Now, my period is a week late. I’ve taken an at home pregnancy test at the 4 day late mark and it was negative, and i show no signs of pms or pregnancy symptoms. So, my question is can that second sickness delay this period even though that sickness was 2 weeks ago?
Hi Nicole!
So glad you found this post helpful! :)
Best,
Team Lunette
Hi Vv hev!
It’s totally understandable to feel stressed when your cycle is irregular! It is quite common for periods to be irregular for the first few years of menstruating. :) However, because everybody and every BODY is different, we do recommend consulting your doctor if you’re experiencing anything of concern.
Wishing you all the best!
Team Lunette
My period is now 27 days late and I don’t know what to do I’m only 15 and I’m still a virgin. And I’m getting headaches my stomach been hurting and I’ve been feeling kinda lazy . I haven’t had sex
I always have my period between the 19th and 20th, but this time it didn’t come and I am late for 2 days. I don’t have any pregnancy symptoms, and I have been watching my discharge and it all points that I am close to my period, but I had no idea why I was late. I’m sick right now, and did not know that having a cold could affect your period! Kinda relieved, but still, I’m thinking of taking a pregnancy test just to be sure. Thanks! Really eased my stress haha.
