A delayed menstrual period often sparks anxiety in women, while several medical explanations exist for such delays. If you are asking yourself, ‘Why is my period late?’ It is inadvisable not to think of possibilities such as a change in lifestyle, stress, hormone troubles, or any medical disorder like PCOS. Knowing why it happened is to be in better control of oneself.

Causes of Delayed Periods

The reasons for a late period can result from many reasons being normal, while others will require medical management. Some of the most famous ones are:

  • Pregnancy: Pregnancy is the most frequent reason for missing or delayed periods. You should use a test in case you are having intercourse.
  • Stress: Tension has been found to impact an individual's hormone balance and consequently alter his or her menstrual cycle. Excessive pressure can lead to an increase in cortisol and disruption of the woman’s period.
  • Hormonal Imbalance: When there is an increase or decrease of a particular hormone or more hormones, for instance, estrogen, prolactin, and progesterone, such an alteration will, of course, change how your periodicity operates. The conditions people get are called hormonal imbalances. Some causes of Irregular periods could be problems with the thyroid, an increase in the body mass index, and other diseases like hyperinsulinemia.
  • Weight Change: Any alteration in the body weight, whether an abrupt increase or a decrease, will clash with the equilibrium of the internal parts. Thus, the body experiences a late period or, worse still, an absence of four weeks worth of period.
Late periods are not considered severe health problems, though it may be necessary to know the distinctive cause in some cases, especially as a recurrent problem.

Irregular Periods Causes

Menstrual cycle disturbances, such as differences in duration or absence in young women, are common. Late period and menopause are also standard. However, extending the phenomenon to older females is not that valid. It may signify more, and often the need for medical intervention:

  • PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A large percentage of women suffering from this condition find it difficult to control the hormone. As a result, in late periods and PCOS, the hormones cannot induce periods.
  • Menopause: This one does not have a specified date for every woman because it depends on age and the changes in the ovulation cycle. On average, the age of onset of menopause is 45 to 55 years. Some women, however, come into early menopause.
  • Thyroid disease: The gland secreting the hormone in question also subdues the metabolism rate, causing many changes related to an individual’s body. Both high and low thyroid levels can distort the menstrual cycle for any patient.

View More: What Is Brown Spotting Instead of Period and What Does It Mean for Your Health


How Late Can Your Period Be?

You might think, ‘How late can a period be?’ A normal menstrual cycle usually lasts between 21 and 35 days, and anything up to 10 days is also a sigh of relief, especially if it is a one-time thing. However, if there is no conception and the menstrual period has not occurred within 10 days, it may be an indicator of hormonal imbalance, or there may be other health issues. Someone with regular, irregular periods should speak to a medical practitioner.

Late Period and Pregnancy

Questions like Why is my period late are a common feature among pregnant women. The body stops the ovulation process and the occurrence of menses. It is possible that light bleeding can occur, so one should consult with a medical practitioner about it.

What to Do When Your Period Is Late?

Following are the things that include ‘What to do if your period is late’:

  • Taking a Pregnancy Test: If pregnancy is anticipated, a pregnancy test should be your next first move.
  • Track Your Cycle: A period-tracker application regularly updates your menstrual cycles, enabling you to recognize patterns and changes between cycles.
  • Stress Reduction: When practising yoga and using meditation methods, people experience stress reduction, and hormonal equilibrium occurs.
  • Talk to Your Healthcare Provider: Contact health professionals to investigate underactive or overactive thyroid and PCOS as well as other hormonal conditions following medical tests that confirm no pregnancy exists and establish the reason for your delayed period.

Late Period and Weight Gain

Another factor that may lead to you asking, ‘Why is my period late’ maybe because of changes in the body, is an unexpected increase in weight. Putting up weight all of a sudden can affect one's menstrual cycle. Women with much body fat might likely produce even more estrogen, which could control the more convenient time of release of an egg.

On the other hand, excessively reduced weight and underweight can also make cycles irregular or stop altogether for a while. A more surefire way would be to manage a healthy and balanced weight.

Can Exercise Affect Your Period?

Exercise provides essential benefits for overall well-being, yet excessive physical intensity leads people to wonder how physical activity affects their menstrual period time frame. When sportspersons and individuals with rigorous training exercise intensively, they deplete body fat stores, thus leading to hormonal alterations and delayed menstrual periods. This is particularly common in females with a low BMI.

Suppose you are not in good shape with workouts and notice abnormalities in your periods. In that case, you should either normalize the existing routine or ask a doctor for advice on revising an exercise schedule that has no impact on the menstrual cycle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if someone asks, Why is my period late, one should consider such factors as Late period and stress, Late period and weight gain, Late period and pregnancy, Late period and birth control, Hormonal imbalance, and late period, come hand in hand. For the most part, delayed menstrual periods are not considered a health crisis; however, in cases where the lateness repeats itself or is accompanied by other signs, professional health consultation is of the essence. Exploring the reasons for period delays and a pattern for tracking menstruation makes it possible to safeguard one's welfare and respond to likely complications appropriately.

Please book an appointment with the Best Gynecologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.