Periods tend to be a painful and icky mess when they come, but a source of constant worry when they don’t show up on time. Most of us don’t get regular periods, yet we somehow always manage to throw ourselves into panic mode when our menses are even slightly late. So, before you freak out and buy ten different pregnancy tests, pause and give this list a read to know what could be delaying your periods. Should there be too many irregularities or anomalies, please go to a doctor!
Travel or a change in schedule
If you’ve been jet-setting across the globe, it can throw your system off track and delay your period. Sometimes, you might even miss your period altogether due to this. Traveling not only confuses your body clock, but can be too stressful for the body for ovulation and menstruation to happen as per schedule. This also happens if you’ve recently started working nights, and have made extreme changes to your schedule.
Thyroid imbalance
Your thyroid gland is responsible for regulating your body’s metabolic function. So, an underactive or overactive thyroid gland can affect your body’s energy levels and nutritional condition. This, obviously, affects your period and ovulation cycles, and can delay your period.
Stress
Both physical and mental stress can prevent you from getting your period. When you’re stressed out, your body’s hormone centre, the hypothalamus, inhibits the production of oestrogen, which is responsible for your menstrual cycle. It also happens to athletes who don’t consume enough calories, but exercise a lot. This is because the body is tricked into an emergency situation, and so, directs hormones to perform vital functions like breathing, and stops reproductive action. Such stress can be caused by an illness, surgery, or even prepping for marathons.
Not knowing the duration of your cycle
The average menstrual cycle is supposed to be 28 days. But, not everyone has a perfectly regulated cycle. In fact, most people don’t. So, if your period is late by a day or two every month, don’t sweat it.
Extreme weight fluctuation
Extreme weight loss or weight gain can cause your cycle to become irregular, as well. While being underweight can prevent your body from producing the requisite amount of oestrogen for you to get your period. Late periods also happen if you gain a lot of weight in a short amount of time, as the body produces too much oestrogen. This either leads to an excessively thick endometrial lining, or no ovulating for months. The result? Heavy, irregular periods.
PCOS And Fibroids
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that causes irregular levels of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the body. This can result in irregular periods or even skipped periods, in addition to several fertility issues. It’s the same if you have fibroids on your ovaries or uterus.
Hormonal birth control
Regular birth control pills, or emergency contraception can cause delayed periods due to hormonal fluctuations. Usually, however, the body adjusts itself to the change caused by these pills and the menstrual cycle resumes.
