Why Your Period is Late, Even After Protected Sex

Before you freak out and assume you’re pregnant, there may be a reason your period is late. Whether your period is a day late or a few days, we know the toll that can take on your emotions, and the day-to-day decisions you make. Although this isn’t an exact science, a late period or missed period can be caused by several different factors.

Stress

Your body is sensitive to your emotions, especially stress. When your stress levels rise, it can disrupt your menstrual cycle causing your period to come later or be missed. This, in turn, can be a stress factor which can spiral into something more. If your cycle has become more irregular and you’ve missed your period multiple months, you may have secondary amenorrhea. Your doctor will be able to confirm this and can help you find a remedy to help regulate your cycle.

Weight

Although exercise is great for your body, extreme exercise, such as training for a marathon, can send your hormones off track. It can even stop your period temporarily. And women on both ends of the weight spectrum can experience hormonal changes which can cause your period to be late or missed. Being 10 percent below the normal weight range for your height strongly effects how your body operates. Your doctor will work with you on how to eat properly and either gain or lose weight in order to bring your cycle back to normal.

Health Issues

There are a few specific conditions that may cause your body to have an irregular cycle. Ovarian cysts, diabetes, celiac disease, and thyroid issues are a few of the main health culprits to ask your doctor about. Of course, they can help pinpoint the exact issue and will likely be able to help treat the issue quickly and that will bring your regular cycle back. It’s never a good idea to try to diagnose and treat yourself based on information from friends or the internet, always consult your primary doctor or OB-GYN.

Pregnancy

If none of these are the reason your period is late, you may be pregnant. While at-home pregnancy tests are quick, they aren’t always accurate. At Willow Womens Center, we can confirm your at-home result with a medical-grade pregnancy test. However, it’s important to know that a pregnancy test does not confirm a viable pregnancy, only an ultrasound can. An ultrasound can not only confirm viability, but it also dates the pregnancy, which allows you to explore all your options.

If you think you might be facing an unexpected pregnancy, Willow Womens Center is your best choice for answers. We know what you’re feeling and can help you work through all the emotions and provide you with non-judgmental, unbiased, and accurate information about a possible pregnancy. Don’t walk this journey alone.