Has it ever happened to you that you checked the calendar and realized that your periods are delayed?
It must be a stressful experience and comes with a lot of self-questions. However, if you’re married, the first thought that comes to mind is that am I pregnant?
But ladies, besides this, there are several reasons for late periods, including stress, an unhealthy diet, a change in sleeping patterns, and whatnot!
So, keep reading as we talk about common reasons for delayed periods, and by the end, you will also have enough understanding to manage your late periods.
Why is Period Tracking Important?
When you track your period using any period tracking app, such as Embrace period tracker, you better know when your due date. It helps you in dealing with your stress and frustration that comes with late periods.
However, period tracking does not only help you in knowing your period date, it helps in understanding your body signals. When you have a regular cycle, it means that your overall health is good and you’re doing a great job. But, when your periods show late, it means that you’re burdened or stressed due to any particular reason. Or your diet must not be good enough, or you’re taking below-limit fluids.
Moreover, period tracking also helps when you’re trying to avoid pregnancy or want to conceive. It gives you the idea of your most fertile days and the days in which women’s bodies are ovulating.
So, you can see how important it is to track your periods. You can either use a calendar for it or download a period tracker app.
Reasons for Late Period
Why is my period late? This question must arise in every other woman out there, at least once a year.
So, these are the common reasons for delayed periods. Understand these, and it will help you keep calm when your periods don’t come on time!
1. Hormonal Imbalances
Your hormones serve as major regulators of menstrual cycle processes. An imbalance in your hormones makes it possible for your menstrual cycle to become strange or late. The condition of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with thyroid disorders changes hormone stability which results in delayed menstruation.
2. Pregnancy
A pregnancy often leads to the most frequent cause of missed periods among women. Taking a pregnancy test should be your first action if you have a late period. Since sexual activity could indicate pregnancy but also needs confirmation for a good reason. Breaking your normal menstrual cycle could indicate you are pregnant because of the appearance of nausea, fatigue, and breast sensitivity.
3. Stress
Hormone disturbance caused by stress contributes to delayed menstruation. Higher levels of cortisol in your body during stressful periods delay the cycle-regulating hormones. When stress becomes overwhelming, you should try exercise or meditation as relaxation techniques to manage your stress levels.
4. Changes in Weight
Your menstrual cycle becomes unstable when you experience sudden changes in weight. Irregular menstruation happens when hormone production gets disrupted by both extreme dieting practices and eating disorders and obesity conditions.
5. Excessive Exercise
Your scheduled period may be delayed when you exercise excessively without getting enough sleep or maintaining sufficient nutrition. Excessive exercise particularly affects athletes and people who do intense physical training since it reduces estrogen levels in their bodies.
6. Birth Control and Medications
Your menstrual cycle stands affected when you begin, discontinue, or alter birth control medications. Your cycle can be disrupted by specific medications which include some antidepressants and thyroid treatments.
7. Poor Sleep and Travel
Your body exists in a natural pattern that becomes upset when sleep patterns or time zones change. A change in your period schedule can occur when you cross different time zones or have trouble sleeping.
How to Manage a Delayed Period?
When you don’t get a period on time, do not let panic consume you as a late period occurs frequently in many women. It can be frequent because various other factors can affect the menstrual cycle. Use these methods to handle and control your menstrual cycle:
- You should minimize pressure through relaxation strategies which may include meditation breath exercises as well as yoga practice to manage stress effectively.
- Consume enough nutrients in a well-balanced diet since it sustains hormone balance and helps establish a regular cycle.
- Level your exercise activities while exercising because too much exercise may lead to delayed menstruation.
- Consistent rest amounts seven to nine hours each night prevent poor sleep from affecting hormonal balance.
- A cycle-tracking system allows you to observe patterns which may show potential reasons behind delayed periods.
- Hydration plays a dual role in body health while aiding proper function including menstrual periods.
- Seek medical help from a doctor to obtain proper advice because your ongoing delayed periods or unexpected symptoms require professional examination.
The control of your menstrual cycle might improve with minor adjustments to your daily habits yet professional medical evaluation should not be delayed if you have concerns.
Final Thoughts
The menstruation gets delayed because of various physical and emotional causes including stress and modifications in lifestyle and hormonal disorders or health problems. Being pregnant is a familiar cause yet it does not represent every case of delayed menstruation.
Following your menstrual cycle while keeping a healthful lifestyle and effectively managing stress will help regulate your menstrual periods. You should consult with a doctor whenever facing regular delayed periods or developing strange symptoms.
