A late or a missed period can leave you stressed and worried. But usually, it is nothing to worry about.
A woman's menstrual cycle can be influenced by a range of factors, from stress to changing exercise habits. Of course, if you have had unprotected sex, it can be a sign of pregnancy but if you have ruled that out there are a number of reasons that could explain why your period is late.
According to GP Neel Patel from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, while most periods occur every 28 days it is completely normal to have a cycle from anywhere between 21 and 40 days. It is also common to have an irregular cycle, which means your period might appear at different times during the month.
Dr Patel said: “If your period usually follows the same cycle (such as every 28 days) then it is considered late if it doesn’t occur after one day. However, this is not an immediate cause for concern. Missing a period can be alarming but it’s actually very common and doesn’t necessarily mean you are pregnant. Various factors can affect your menstrual cycle such as stress, weight changes and the contraceptive method that you use.”
To rule out pregnancy being a cause of a late or missed period, it is best to take a test any time after the first day of your missed period. If the test is negative and you think you may be pregnant wait a few days before taking another test.
If your test is negative, Dr Parel advises that it might be worth a visit to your GP to discuss possible causes of a missed period. One missed period is normally nothing to worry about, but if your period becomes unpredictable, or you miss three periods in a row, you should seek medical advice.
1. Exercise
“Too much exercise can place stress on the body which in turn, can affect the hormones responsible for your periods. If your periods become irregular, or stop completely, you may wish to reduce your level of physical activity. Athletes should speak to a specialist doctor who can advise on how to manage exercise and their periods.”
2. Stress
“Stress impacts the body in many ways, one of which is the menstrual cycle. If you’re stressed, your periods may become heavier, more painful, longer or shorter. Or they may stop altogether. Avoiding stress by practicing self-care or having talking therapies such as CBT can help you to manage these symptoms.”
3. Weight
“You may find that your periods stop if you suddenly lose weight. This is because restricting calories can stop the production of hormones that are needed for ovulation. Alternatively, being overweight can also impact your menstrual cycle, causing the body to overproduce oestrogen which affects how often periods occur. If you are over- or underweight, your GP may refer you to a dietitian who will help you to reach a healthy weight.”
4. The contraceptive pill
“Some methods of contraception, such as the coil and injection, can result in a missed period. This is normal and is not usually something to be worried about. The contraceptive pill can also make periods irregular and be used to delay your period if you wish to skip a cycle. Taking packets of the pill back-to-back is perfectly safe and useful for when you want to avoid a bleed such as on your holiday. Period delay medication will also delay your period and can be taken if you’re not already on the combined pill.”
5. PCOS
“As many as 1 in 3 people with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) experience stopped periods as a result of the condition. This is due to underdeveloped sacs in which the eggs normally grow, causing the body not to ovulate and instead, skip a period.”
6. Menopause
“Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. During this time, your periods will become irregular and eventually stop as a result of hormone levels lowering. This can also happen earlier, otherwise known as premature menopause.”
