7 Reasons Your Period May Be Late
Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.
If you’re like many women, your period is usually pretty regular. But sometimes it can be late or even completely absent. While this may seem concerning, it doesn’t always mean something is wrong with your health – in fact, there are a number of common reasons why your period might be running late or missing altogether.
If you have recently had unprotected sex and think you may be unexpectedly pregnant,
schedule a free pregnancy test with an advocate at Avail at our Midtown Manhattan office.
1: Stress
High levels of stress can cause hormones to become imbalanced which can lead to delayed periods or missed cycles altogether. If you've recently experienced a lot of anxiety in your life, this could explain the delay in menstruation.
2: Weight and/or Diet Changes
Significant fluctuations in weight can affect hormone levels and lead to irregular periods as well as missed ones altogether in some cases.
Likewise, eating too little or too much food (especially if those foods contain low amounts of nutrients), can throw off our body's natural balance leading us into an irregular cycle pattern where we miss out on our normal monthly bleedings entirely or have them come later than usual.
3: Aging/Menopause
As we age, our reproductive systems naturally begin slowing down which may cause us to miss periods from time to time until menopause officially sets in.
If you are over the age of 45 and notice other symptoms like mood swings, difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, or even night sweats, talk with your doctor.
4: Traveling or Jet Lag
Disruptions caused by traveling across multiple time zones can throw off the body's natural rhythms leading up to menstruation; this should correct itself once you adjust back into a routine.
5: Birth Control Pills
Certain types of birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptives may affect when and how often you get your periods. While on birth control, it’s common for periods to come at irregular intervals due to hormone fluctuations caused by the pills.
6: Illness or Infection
Sometimes illnesses like colds and flu viruses will interfere with hormonal processes causing delays too - but luckily these conditions typically resolve themselves within a week after recovery.
So if all else fails, just make sure you're getting plenty of rest during times when you are feeling under the weather.
7: Pregnancy
This is probably the number one thing people think about first when their period is late. If you’ve had unprotected sex, the best thing to do is take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. It's important not to panic if the results are positive. Plenty of resources are available if you feel overwhelmed or uncertain about the next steps. There’s no need to go through this alone.
At Avail NYC, we provide confidential support and guidance for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy. We offer virtual and in-person appointments with our caring advocates who can walk you through your options. Our team can provide the support you’re looking for.
A missed or late period doesn't always mean something serious is going on - sometimes it's just caused by everyday lifestyle factors like those mentioned above. But regardless it's always important to stay aware of any changes taking place within your body so that a possible unexpected pregnancy can be detected early on. If you want support in your journey, Avail can help with free, self-administered pregnancy tests available.
Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.
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Avail NYC provides free, compassionate support for women and men navigating unexpected pregnancies or seeking support after an abortion. Our trained Personal Advocates offer a safe, confidential space online or in-person to process emotions and explore options. Equipping clients with personalized coping strategies and resources, we empower them to move forward with confidence at their own pace. Avail NYC is not a medical provider. To learn more or meet with a personal advocate, visit Avail NYC.
