Having a late period can be distressing, especially if someone is used to having regular periods or is concerned about an unexpected pregnancy.
There are many reasons a person might have a late period, including pregnancy, stress, and hormonal imbalances.
This article looks at eight possible reasons for a late period.
Pregnancy is the most obvious cause of a late period, and it can happen even when someone is using contraception correctly. No form of birth control is 100% effective.
A sexually active person with a late period can take a home pregnancy test. If it is positive, they can contact a doctor to discuss their next steps.
Prolonged periods of stress can affect the menstrual cycle, making it longer or shorter, or even causing a missed period.
Some people also report more painful period cramps when experiencing stress.
Avoiding stressful situations, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep can help a person eliminate stress and maintain a regular menstrual cycle.
If someone is experiencing chronic stress, they might benefit from speaking with a doctor or counselor who can help them develop effective coping mechanisms.
The average age of menopause is
Many people with a menstrual cycle experience symptoms 2 to 8 years before menopause. This is known as perimenopause and indicates that estrogen levels are beginning to fluctuate.
Irregular estrogen levels can alter the menstrual cycle, making it common for people in perimenopause to experience irregular or missed periods.
Significant weight loss or intense exercise can cause a person to miss their period. Being underweight or having a low body-fat ratio can alter reproductive hormone levels, lowering them to levels where ovulation and menstruation do not occur.
A person who has missed one or several periods after losing a significant amount of weight should consult a doctor or dietician about getting the appropriate amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients their body needs.
Just as weight loss can cause a missed period, being overweight can also affect the menstrual cycle.
Obesity and missed periods can sometimes signal a medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so it is important for a woman to be correctly diagnosed by a doctor.
The doctor may recommend blood tests or an ultrasound to examine the ovaries and ensure that no underlying medical conditions are causing missed periods.
Some types of birth control, particularly hormonal methods, can cause a person to miss a period.
Typically, hormonal birth control provides a form of estrogen combined with progesterone for a set amount of time, followed by several hormone-free days. The withdrawal of these hormones triggers a period.
Sometimes, these hormones thin the lining of the uterus so much that there is not enough of the lining to cause a period. This applies to all forms of hormonal birth control, including pills, patches, shots, implants, and rings.
In most cases, this is not harmful, but people should discuss any concerns about their birth control method with a doctor.
Disruptions to some hormones, such as prolactin or thyroid, can cause a person to miss their period.
Thyroid hormones play an important role in menstruation, so having an underactive or overactive thyroid can disrupt the menstrual cycle.
The pituitary gland controls the production of many hormones. A pituitary tumor or prolactinoma can
Other conditions that can cause a hormone imbalance include congenital adrenal hyperplasia and Cushing’s syndrome.
A doctor can determine the cause of any hormone imbalances and may recommend a blood test to see whether certain hormone levels are high or low.
In many cases, taking medication to rebalance the hormones can help periods return to their normal cycle.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the
Though the symptoms vary, PCOS often causes:
Several factors likely cause PCOS, including genetics, lifestyle factors, such as carrying excess weight, and hormone imbalances.
People with symptoms of PCOS can visit their doctor for an evaluation.
Having regular check-ups with a gynecologist or women’s health specialist can help address many questions about menstrual cycles. Sometimes, a late period is an isolated occurrence and is not a cause for concern.
However, certain symptoms may require medical attention. They include:
- missing several periods in a row
- a positive pregnancy test
- having symptoms of PCOS, as described above
- having gained or lost a lot of weight
- feeling overly stressed
If someone has irregular or missed periods, it can be helpful to keep a written record of them, including the start and end dates and a list of other symptoms. This may help a doctor determine the cause.
A period can be late for many reasons, including pregnancy, stress, hormone imbalances, taking birth control, or being in perimenopause.
If a person is concerned about late or missing periods, they can talk with a doctor, who can help determine the underlying cause.