A period is considered late if it begins 7 days after the expected start date of your menstruation.
This timeframe is based on your average menstrual cycle length, which ranges from 21 to 35 days. However, individual cycle lengths can vary, so what is considered late may depend on your specific cycle.
A late period can be concerning if you usually have regular cycles. While pregnancy is the first possibility that may come to your mind, several other factors, like stress and medications, can also affect your menstrual cycle.
This article explores the potential causes of delayed periods and offers tips on how to prevent this situation.
What Causes Late Menstruation
Besides pregnancy, your menstruation might be impacted by additional medical conditions and lifestyle choices, which cause your periods to get late.
These may include hormonal birth control, stress, weight fluctuations, chronic health conditions, thyroid disease, excessive exercise, and menopause.
Let us now look into these causes in detail.
Hormonal Birth Control
Although hormonal birth control is quite successful in avoiding pregnancy, it can sometimes cause irregularities in your menstrual cycle and induce ate periods.
Birth control pills deliver synthetic hormones like Estrogen and Progesterone to your body. This can interrupt your body’s normal hormonal balance that regulates your menstrual cycle.
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Stress
Source: doucefleur_From_Getty_imagesExcessive stress is one of the most common causes of late menstruation. When your stress level reaches its highest level, your brain signals to your endocrine system to produce cortisol hormone (also known as the stress hormone) from the adrenal glands.
The increased level of cortisol interrupts the delicate balance of reproductive hormones, such as Progesterone and Estrogen, which are crucial for controlling the menstrual cycle. This hormonal imbalance can cause irregular cycles and delayed periods by interfering with the usual processes of ovulation and menstruation.
Weight Fluctuations
Weight changes, whether major weight gain or reduction, can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, affecting your menstrual cycle. In severe situations of weight loss, the body may shut down reproductive systems to preserve energy, resulting in irregular or nonexistent ovulation and late periods.
On the other hand, excess weight, especially visceral fat, can cause insulin resistance and greater levels of male hormones, which can prevent ovulation and induce late periods.
However, many women might wonder if they can get pregnant after ovulation; Read Understanding Fertility: Can You Get Pregnant After Ovulation?
Chronic Health Conditions
Menstrual abnormalities are sometimes linked to chronic health conditions, including Celiac disease and Diabetes.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune illness that occurs due to the intake of gluten, a protein present in wheat, barley, and rye. It usually impacts the small intestine and can cause trouble in the absorption of nutrients. Although there is no evidence available that establishes a direct relationship between Celiac disease and late periods.
Experts believe that nutritional deficiencies associated with the illness, such as iron and vitamin B12 deficiency, can indirectly affect the hormonal balance and menstrual regularity, leading to delayed menstruation.
Apart from Celiac Disease, Diabetes might also be the cause of your delayed periods. However, just like Celiac disease, Diabetes may not directly cause a late menstrual cycle. Poorly managed Diabetes can result in hormonal imbalances and other issues, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, that impact menstrual regularity.
Unmanaged PCOS can also lead to inflammation, further affecting your menstruation; read PCOS Inflammation: Find Out Can PCOS Causes Inflammation
Thyroid Disease
Your thyroid gland releases hormones that assist in the control of numerous bodily functions, including your menstrual cycle.
When the thyroid gland is underactive (Hypothyroidism) or hyperactive (Hyperthyroidism), it can interfere with the proper functioning of several body systems, including your reproductive system, resulting in menstrual abnormalities such as late periods.
Excessive Exercise
Source: getty_imagesIntense or continuous physical activity can affect hormone levels, notably Cortisol and Adrenaline.
Cortisol levels rise considerably during periods of prolonged physical activity. High cortisol levels can interfere with the proper functioning of other hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, such as Estrogen and Progesterone. This, in turn, can potentially lead to periods that are irregular or late.
Menopause
Menopause is a normal biological process that characterizes the end of a woman’s years of reproduction. During menopause, the ovaries of a woman slowly decrease the secretion of Estrogen and Progesterone hormones, resulting in the cessation of menstruation.
However, prior to menopause, women often go through a transitional stage of Menopause known as Perimenopause, during which hormonal imbalances can cause alterations in the menstrual cycle, including delayed periods.
Preventing Late Periods
Preventing late menstruation can be difficult since it frequently requires addressing underlying causes that lead to menstrual abnormalities. However, several lifestyle adjustments and approaches can assist in promoting normal menstrual cycles and lowering the probability of late menstruation.
These strategies often include:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Overcoming stress
- Having a healthy, nutrient-rich diet that comprises fruits, green vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats
- Dehydration can alter hormone levels, leading to irregular menstrual periods. Hence, drink lots of water all day to keep yourself hydrated
- Excessive coffee and alcohol use can alter hormone levels and impair menstruation regularity
Limit your consumption of these substances to create a better hormonal balance.
Conclusion
Usually late menstruation is often considered a sign of pregnancy. However, if you are not pregnant and still your periods get delayed, then it could be the result of several medical, psychological, and lifestyle issues.
Hormonal birth control, stress, weight fluctuations, chronic health conditions, thyroid disease, excessive exercise, and menopause can all lead to late periods.
Although minor irregularities in the menstrual cycle are normal and generally not a reason for worry, recurring late periods or severe alterations in menstrual patterns should be addressed immediately.
Appropriate diagnosis and management can help address underlying concerns while also ensuring reproductive health and general well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
How late is considered late for a monthly menstrual period?
A normal menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days. If you get your period more than a week after your estimated start date, it may be termed late. However, the cycle duration differs from person to person.
Is it common for my menstruation to vary as I age?
Yes, your menstrual cycle can vary as you age, especially as you approach perimenopause or menopause (usually in your late 30s to 40s).
Are there risks with the late onset of menstruation?
Yes, the late onset of menstruation is found to be associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Can antibiotics cause late menstruation?
No, generally, taking an antibiotic doesn’t cause a late period.
However, other factors like stress or vigorous exercise during the course treatment could be a reason for your delayed periods, if any.
Can biking make your menstruation late?
Yes, it has been found that excessive exercise, including biking, can lead to late menstruation due to loss of energy.
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