Being a woman is full of complications and surprises. One surprise that some women are not prepared for is a late or missed period. This is because women are very in tune with their bodies so they know almost down to the day when they should be expecting their periods to start. Often times missing that first important day can be a stressful and exciting time in your life, depending on the cause. This anxiety only worsens as time goes on without a period in sight. So what are the reasons for a late period? There are many reasons why you may find yourself late, some may surprise you. The best way to pin down what the culprit may be is to first look at some other symptoms you may be experiencing. Here are some things to look out for.
Does a late period mean that you are pregnant?
The first thing that many women assume when they miss a period or are a few days late is that they are expecting a child. This is most times a correct assumption. The first sign of an impending pregnancy is a missed period. This is because your period is designed to prepare your body for pregnancy whether or not you are expecting. Every woman knows that there period is due to their uterus shedding in preparation for their next ovulation cycle. When an egg gets implanted with sperm, a fetus will begin to form which means that there is no medical reason for you to get your period for the next nine months.
The best way to determine if the reason for your missed period is due to pregnancy is to take an at home pregnancy test. Most pregnancy tests will be over 95% accurate if you take them after the first day of your missed period. This way you can get a pretty specific answer to your burning question. If you get a negative response even after you have missed a period you should go to your doctor so they give you a blood pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests check for a raised amount of pregnancy hormone hCG in your system and while at home pregnancy tests are pretty accurate after a missed period, there still may not be enough of this hormone in your system which will makes up the 5% difference in accuracy. Doctor’s blood tests are way more sensitive and need very little of this hormone to give you a positive result. If you still are getting a negative reading from your doctor’s blood test, it is time to start exploring the other reasons for a late period.
Environmental factors
There are some changes to your body that may be one of the reasons for a late period. One of these changes is an increase to your everyday stress level. This is especially true when it comes to women who are actively trying to get pregnant. Every woman who has tried to get pregnant knows that sudden depression that comes along with a negative pregnancy test. This can lead to a whole new world of burning questions like whether or not you can conceive at all or if there is something physically wrong with your body. This overwhelming uncertainly leads to a high level of stress and worry which many times can actually work against your body. An increase in stress can lead to a missed or late period. This can lead a woman to think that they are pregnant which will only bring more stress once they yet again test negative. This begins a vicious cycle with your period cycle. If you are trying to get pregnant, it is important to remember to relax. A woman’s body is an amazing thing, it can adjust to levels of stress but when it comes to creating the perfect habitat for a child to grow, it is best to keep your body calm to prevent turning it into a warzone.
Trying to get pregnant isn’t the only type of stress when it comes to the reasons for a late period either. Stress and anxiety are sneaky. Environmental changes like a new job or a new home can certainly lead to a missed or late period. They say that two of the most stressful times in a person’s life are moving and pregnancy, so there is no surprise that your body would react the same way when faced with some real life problems. So next time you miss a period and test negative for pregnancy, consider the professional and environment changes that you may have recently faced.
Changes to your body
Internal changes are one of the top reasons for a late period. This could be anything from a change in diet to a new supplement routine. Your body, like most things in life, needs to learn how to adjust to certain lifestyle changes. Diet is often times a big factor when it comes to missing a period. This is because the nutrition you consume has a direct impact on your hormones. These little hormones are what drive you to have a regular period every month so there is no surprise that a simple change in the way you eat will greatly affect your menstrual cycle.
The same can be said for a new exercise routine. Many women who suffer from painful cramps and bloating during their periods are encouraged to take up exercise to help strengthen and tone their muscles that are affected by their period. Because of this sudden change you may find that your body needs time to catch up and adjust. Another one of the reasons for a late period can be due to a change in your birth control. While birth control is a great way for women to take control of their body and their health, it can often time lead to an unpredictable period cycle. This is especially true for the first few months on a new birth control routine. Many women find that after their periods start to normalize over time and they will have an easier period later on down the road.
Does a late period mean that you are starting menopause?
Many times the second thought that women have when experiencing a late period is whether or not they are going through the “change”. To know if you are going through menopause or not, you must first know what it is and what it does to your body. Menopause is the gradual reduction in pregnancy hormones that are found in your body. These hormones work to set your body up for a successful pregnancy. These hormones are produces by your ovaries which not only are meant to be released during pregnancy, but also are what lead you to have a period. When women hit a certain age, their body will no longer produce this hormone as rapidly which means that they will no longer get a monthly period.
To know if menopause is one of the reasons for a late period for you personally, you should look at the other symptoms you may be experiencing. The first thing you should know, is that menopause mainly only happens in women over 40 years old. If you are experiencing menopause you will also be experiencing other affects like hot flashes as well as a change in your PH balance. All of the common symptoms of menopause are tied into the amount of estrogen that is found in your body. While menopause is mostly self-diagnosed, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before settling on a definitive answer. This way they can not only give you advice on how to combat the symptoms, they can help to set you up on a hormone replacement plan so that you don’t have to be in any discomfort.
Are there other reasons for a late period?
Obviously the only way that you can know for sure why you period is late or missed is to consult a doctor. While there are many harmless reasons for a late period, this can often time be a sign of something more serious happening to your body. Your body is meant to work like an engine and when one part of the engine starts acting up, that could mean that there is a more central problem that needs to be addressed. While some problems are more serious than others, it is important to remember that you shouldn’t always jump to the worst case scenario before talking to your doctor because this will lead to more stress which will be counterproductive to your system.
Final Thoughts
The menstrual cycle is an annoying thing that women experience every month like clockwork. It brings a great deal of pain and discomfort as well as inconvenience. While it is a pain every month to wake up with cramps, women know that their periods are there for a greater purpose and most women miss their periods when they are not there. This is because your period tells you that your body is working the way it should be. Next time you have a late period, just remember to relax, there is always an answer. Good luck.
