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 yes a month ago I had my regular cycle which lasts 7 days usually and then 4-5 days later I got another cycle that lasted 7 days. And I still haven’t gotten my cycle this month. And I was supposed to start 4 days ago. I took a pregnancy test the day I was supposed to get my cycle but it was negative and then retested 2 days later so yesterday and it was also negative. So I’m unsure if my cycle is late because we just moved, or because I became sick a few days ago like 2 days ago. I’m 26 years old and have 3 kids.
Hi Amy,
Hi Princess,
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.
Best regards, Team Lunette
Hi I’m 30 yrs. I have 2 kids already. I stopped taking BC pills on February 12th had a heavy “real” period a week later, ovulated around March 1st-5th had sex all 5 days (trying to conceive) been feeling all pregnancy symptoms even had pink/brown light spotting for a few days. I still have not had a period yet. I am normally on a firm 28day cycle. I have been sick (flu/bug) for the last few days. I am now on day 3 of a missed period. I have taken a few pregnancy test and they all show negative. Could me being flu like sick cause a Delay in my HCG levels? If so When should I test again? Thanks
I am 4days late I’m 18 but I have never had sex what should I be worried about
Haven’t had my period for 2 months, negative pregnancy tests (taken 7 of them), no symptoms, taken over 500mg of ibuprofen every 2 days for a long time due to knee injury, too much caffeine, morbidly obese, possibly PCOS, and no clue.
hi Kathy and I had sex for first time February 12 with protection and he also didn’t come inside me and I haven’t had my period but I took a pregnancy test and it was negative and I’m having no pregnancy symptoms. Is there a chance I’m just stressed or can getting Covid affect my period delay I had Covid in the end of January .
on valentine’s day i lost my virginity and i was supposed to start my period the day after, and i didn’t, but i bled a little bit the day after i was going to start, and then didn’t bleed at all that night. yesterday i used a regular tampon, and usually i need supers. i went through school and a softball game and didn’t bleed through once, this is from about 7am-9pm. and this morning i didn’t put a tampon in at all, and i got to fourth period, around 11am and there was a tiny spot of blood. then i put a tampon in and just took it out and there was a long dark brownish blood clot but basically nothing else. i’m so stressed out and i don’t know what to do. we used a condom and i’m on birth control to regulate my period
So I had unprotected sex at the beginning of November,and I had my period at the end of December, but I completely missed my period for January and it’s now February and I’m still waiting for it to come,I don’t understand what’s going on
I had covid a month ago and now im 5 days late. I’m 41 years old my tubes are tied and I haven’t had intercourse. Am I going through early menopause out of the blue or is this because of the virus? Anyone else experience late cycles that had COVID?
Hi! I’m 16 days late on my period. I have had some stressful days in the past few months but this last month was in fact a lot to handle. I also got sick for a week and a half, not Covid but still sick. I also cut my hand a little deep at work. Could those all contribute to my period being late? Forgot to mention that I took a pregnancy test and it came back negative.