Before you rush out to the pharmacy to get a pregnancy test because your period is late, take a deep breath. Amenorrhea isn’t necessarily an indicator of pregnancy. In fact, there are dozens of reasons you might have a late period or miss one altogether.
So take another deep breath and read on to learn about the main causes of late periods. It’s totally possible that you don’t have a bun in the oven.
The 5 possible reasons your period is late
Most people will automatically think they’re pregnant when their period is late. That’s a natural reaction, but unfortunately, it can cause a lot of stress, especially if you’re used to a regular cycle.
And while pregnancy can be a culprit, it’s far from the only one. Here are 5 reasons we experience amenorrhea.
1. Stress
Ah, stress! The reason people eat junk food late at night, chew their nails, and – you guessed it – experience late periods.
How long can stress delay your period? That all depends on just how stressed you are. It’s important to be aware that stress impacts your pituitary gland, which regulates the hormones that stimulate your ovaries.
How long stress delays your period is tough to calculate. It could be a question of 1, 4, or 7 days, even a full cycle if your stress level is really intense. And you might get period pain even with the delay.
2. Your birth control pills
Stopping birth control pills can also cause late periods and negative pregnancy tests. Once you’ve taken the pill for 21 days, the lining of your uterus stabalizes. When you stop, a signal is sent to your ovaries to start your period.
Sometimes, that signal gets a little delayed. So having a late period after you’ve discontinued birth control pills is normal. It’s equally possible to experience a late period if you’ve taken a morning-after pill. Just like stress, those pills can impact your pituitary gland.
3. Perimenopause
What’s perimenopause? It’s the transitional period between your last menstruation and menopause. Some people get it earlier than others, so don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if your period is late and you have some of the other symptoms.
4. How healthy you are
Another reason you might have a late period and a negative pregnancy test is the state of your general health. If your weight fluctuates, you have diabetes, or you have an illness that affects your hormones, late periods could be normal. Other causes could be Celiac disease or illnesses that affect your thyroid gland.
Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor when your period is 7 days late and you don’t know why.
5. Insomnia
When your sleeping schedule changes, your whole body is affected. If you’re experiencing a bout of insomnia, it’s possible an episode of amenorrhea will follow.
How do you calculate how late your period is?
Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period and continues until the day before your next one starts. Generally speaking, the cycle lasts 28 days, but everyone is unique, so that time frame varies from person to person.
For example, if one period starts on the second of the month and the next on the thirtieth, your cycle is 28 days long. To figure out if you’re late, just add 28 days to the first day of your period and see where you’re at.
How long should you wait before getting a pregnancy test?
If your period is more than 10 days late, you can always buy a home pregnancy test. If you test negative and are still late, go see a doctor. A late period, negative pregnancy test, and swollen stomach can all be signs of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Period underwear and removable pads: unparalleled comfort
Fact: no one likes chucking money out the window. Experiencing the occasional bout of amenorrhea and wasting a few disposable pads isn’t the end of the world, but if it happens a lot, it can really be a drain on your wallet.
Have you ever thought about getting a period kit? Kits and other sustainable period products are revolutionizing menstruation. More and more people who menstruate are choosing period undies because they offer both huge savings and fail-safe protection. If you regularly experience late periods, menstrual underwear is just what you need.
Get yourself set up with a kit, and if your period decides to show up in the middle of an office meeting, you won’t be taken off guard. You can also get removable, washable pads and discreet leak-proof carrying bags. No need to play stealth ninja in the office bathrooms!
If you’re looking for the perfect period underwear, why not check out our kits to see which one fits your needs best?
