Is My Period Late?

Why Is My Period Late?

A late period doesn't always mean pregnancy. While pregnancy is the most common reason for a missed period in sexually active people, many other factors can cause your period to come later than expected. Understanding the possible causes can help you decide what to do next.

Common Reasons for a Late Period

• Stress — Emotional or physical stress can disrupt the hormonal signals that trigger ovulation. When ovulation is delayed, your period is delayed too.
• Weight changes — Both significant weight loss and weight gain can affect estrogen levels and disrupt your cycle.
• Intense exercise — Overtraining or sudden increases in physical activity can suppress ovulation.
• Hormonal contraception — Starting, stopping, or changing birth control can take several cycles to stabilize.
• PCOS — Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal condition that causes irregular or absent periods.
• Thyroid disorders — Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause menstrual irregularities.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test

Home pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken from the first day of a missed period onward. For the most reliable result, wait until your period is at least 7 days late. If you get a negative result but your period still hasn't arrived after another week, retest or consult a healthcare provider. First-morning urine typically has the highest concentration of hCG, the hormone detected by pregnancy tests.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Consult a healthcare provider if your period is more than 2 weeks late and a pregnancy test is negative, if you consistently miss periods, if you experience unusually heavy or painful periods, or if you have other symptoms like unexplained weight changes, hair growth, or severe fatigue.