How much delay in periods is normal

If you're waiting for your period for the last week, but it still hasn’t come. That would be delayed menstruation. This creates tons of questions in your mind. Am I pregnant? Or is something wrong with my body? Before you jump to any conclusion, check this out!

Late or missed periods?

Assuming you have a regular menstrual cycle, your period is considered late if it doesn’t happen three to five days after its expected date. However, if your cycle is often irregular, the delay will be more difficult to track.

The causes of missed or late period?

The first thing that comes to your mind is pregnancy when you're late on periods. If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, nausea, food cravings, increased sensitivity to certain odors, or excessive urination, then you should probably consider taking a pregnancy test.

First take a urine pregnancy test at home. Available in pharmacies, you can use it on the first day of delayed menstruation. But to be completely sure, you can ask your doctor to perform a blood pregnancy test to measure the levels of HCG, which is the hormone secreted by the placenta.

Missed a period but pregnancy test is negative?

Once you know you are not pregnant, you should still keep in mind that a delay of a few days may be related to normal cycle fluctuations. Your period isn’t always like clockwork. Your cycles varies as much as between 25 to 32 days.

If you've been in stress lately?

When you’re stressed, your hormones can block ovulation causing you to miss your period.

Having weight issues lately?

Gaining or losing too much weight at once will affect your estrogen levels and prevent your periods.

Have you been exercising much lately?

Extreme physical activity requires high level of energy, so your body may cease menstruation to save additional energy.

Have you been taking medicines lately?

Some medications disrupt the levels of hormones. Also, if you become ill at the time of ovulation this can delay your menstruation for a certain time.

Have you been travelling a lot lately?

Frequent travelling and being subject to sudden climate and timing changes can stress your body and delay your menstruation.

If you suspect that your delayed period may be the result of one of the above causes, don’t worry! Adopting a healthy lifestyle and giving your body the time it needs to adapt to change will put you on the right track to having a normal cycle again.

However, if you continually miss your periods or your cycle does not become regular again, best option is to visit your doctor.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any medical advice.