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.
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?