Reasons your period is late

Every time you miss your period, your mind wanders to that dreaded conclusion! If your period shows up like clockwork each month, having a missed period can be even more annoying. Let’s have a look  at the late period reasons.

Reasons for that late period

The most common cause of a missed period is a sudden lifestyle change. Read on to find out the other reasons for your late period.

1. You are pregnant

Okay, so this is the most obvious reason for a missed period if you had unprotected sex. Often, early symptoms of pregnancy such as cramping and spotting can be misinterpreted as signs of an approaching period.
What to do if you think you are pregnant: Before jumping to conclusions, get a home pregnancy test and test your first urine in the morning as a sample. Home pregnancy tests your urine for the pregnancy hormone – human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and are fairly accurate.

2. You are stressed

Stress is the culprit behind your menstrual cycle. When you are under stress, your body produces the stress hormones – adrenaline and cortisol. During such a situation, your brain is signaled to increase blood flow to the heart and lungs to get more blood pumping. 
Beat the stress: If you think it is stress that is behind your missed period, then try to unwind and relax. Not only to get your period but for your mental and emotional well being and sanity. You could try yoga or go for a massage.

3. Too much exercise

Yes, too much exercise can lead to your period getting delayed. Too much exercise means that your body isn’t producing enough of the female reproductive hormone- estrogen. It is this imbalance that can wreak havoc on your reproductive cycle.
How to get your periods back on track: Slowing down a bit and exercising according to your body’s pace can undo the damage.

4. Changes in sleep cycle

Your recent shift to being a night owl could also be to blame for your late period. When you suddenly shift your routine, your natural body rhythm gets upset and can, therefore, mess up your hormones including those that regulate your menstrual cycle.
How to get your periods regular again: Your menstrual cycle will get back on track when your body gets back to your old schedule or you get used to your new cycle.

Reaction of contraceptive

5. Your contraceptive

Medications used in birth control pills function by inhibiting ovulation. No ovulation means no period. During the fourth week in your cycle, you may experience slight bleeding but that isn’t menstrual flow. Instead, it is withdrawal bleeding caused by the sudden drop in hormones. If you take an emergency contraceptive, commonly called the morning after pill, you may not get a period that month.
What to do: There’s nothing you can do about the missed period. In case you experience heavy bleeding or any unusual discharge, contact your doctor.

6. You have lost or gained too much weight

   

   Weight change

Weight imbalance is a sign of a disease of the thyroid gland. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause periods to be irregular and reduced in flow while an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause weight gain, fatigue, and irregular menstruation.
What to do about it: Your doctor will ask you to get your thyroid profile and will put you on appropriate medication.

7. Hormonal imbalance

If you have recently gained a lot of weight or have seen increased facial hair and hair on your neck and chin, you may be suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Disorder. PCOD develops due to the development of cysts on the ovary. It can lead to hormonal imbalance and can put your cycle out of balance.
What to do about it: Contact your doctor immediately if you have had a missed period for three months consecutively and have a negative pregnancy test.Remember in case you miss your period to stay calm and contact your doctor immediately f you need more help.