Advice and information for why your period is late!

OK, so your period is late…..but why?

The first and most obvious reason that springs to mind when your period is late is that you might be pregnant. Of course, if this is a possibility then you just need to go and buy yourself a home testing pregnancy kit and you’ll find out your results within a couple of minutes and take it from there. If however there is no chance of you being pregnant, there are many other reasons for why your period could be late.

The majority of women have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods every year lasting for between 2 to 5 days on average. Most periods are 28 days apart, but a normal menstrual cycle can be anything from 21 to 35 days. You will get to know your own cycle once your periods have become fully established as a teenager or young adult. A missed period, or irregular periods, should be looked at in terms of what’s normal for you as an individual. You know your own body the best and if in any doubt you should always consult your doctor.

First of all let me stress that when you first start your periods in your teenage years it is very unlikely that you will have periods regularly and have any sort of pattern to them. They will probably be very erratic in both frequency and duration and take at least a few months, possibly years, to settle into a distinct pattern. There is no need to worry as this is quite normal. Obviously if you have any concerns then see your doctor.

Apart from pregnancy and the erratic pattern described above there are also many other reasons that your period might be late.


The following are all possibilities for your late period:

1.  Stress

During times of stress your body may produce lower amounts of the hormone needed for ovulation and therefore your periods may stop. If you are in the middle of particularly stressful exams or going through a stressful time in your life you may find that your periods stop for a while. If you suspect that this may be the case, take time out for yourself and try to learn to relax. Once the period of stress is over or you have found ways to learn to manage your stress, you should find that your periods return to normal.

2.  Change of Routine

Sometimes if your normal daily routine is disrupted you may find that your menstrual cycle is too. If you start doing night shifts for example or staying up very late and sleeping through the day it is possible that your period may be delayed.

3.  Being Overweight

If you are overweight then your period may well be delayed or you might find that they stop altogether due to your hormonal changes. Being overweight can also contribute to difficulty in conceiving. Once you’ve lost weight you should find that your periods return to normal and your fertility will increase.

4. Being Underweight

If you are underweight and do not have enough body fat it is likely that your periods will be very irregular and may well stop altogether (amenorrhea). Your periods should return to normal once you’ve gained weight and return to a regular pattern. However, if you are anorexic or have been seriously underweight for a long period of time, you may find that your fertility is permanently affected.

5. Excessive Exercising

If you have a rigorous fitness regime or participate in high energy activities or sports, it is possible that you will skip periods or stop having them altogether due to your high energy expenditure and low body fat. This is quite common in top athletes who will stop ovulating and menstruating whilst training and competing.

6. Medication

It is quite common when taking some form of medication such as anti-depressants or ant-psychotics to find that your cycle is disrupted. This is also true of some methods of contraception. Best to speak to your doctor if in any doubt.

7. Illness

Any type of illness can delay your period from starting at the correct time. Once you’re better, you should return to your normal pattern.

8. Peri-menopause

This is the time when you are changing from being reproductive to non-reproductive and can happen anytime over the age of 35, sometimes younger (usually sometime in your forties). Hormonal changes take place and your periods can become very erratic, sometimes heavier, sometimes much lighter but basically all over the place. You will probably have other symptoms as well such as hot flushes, trouble sleeping, severe mood swings and loss of sex drive. If you feel this could be the reason for your late period, please consult your doctor for advice.