Late Menstrual Period: Possible Reasons

Simple Reasons Your Period May Be Late

Women tend to tune in to their bodies closely, identifying unusual or strange symptoms almost immediately. One monthly sign, however, is extremely obvious when it arrives and doesn't require scrutiny to detect. Our menstrual period is generally fairly noticeable.

The typical menstrual cycle for a woman is about 28 days, which is why it's known as a "monthly" cycle. This varies from person to person, however, and some women have shorter or longer cycles.

Many women are "regular," meaning their cycle is exactly the same length all the time. Other women are "irregular," meaning their cycle may vary by days in length from one to the next.

However, even women with "irregular" cycles may be alarmed if their menstrual period is a week or two late. But before you panic (and assume that you have some horrible health problem), remember that there are many different reasons your period may be late. Here are a few:

You're pregnant. Depending on your age and recent sexual activity, this may be the first reason you consider if your period is late. An over-the-counter pregnancy test is relatively cheap to obtain from your drugstore, and they tend to be fairly accurate.

Stress. Both emotional and physical stress can cause your menstrual period to be late. If you've been under a lot of emotional stress - a death in the family, work related problems, etc. - you may experience a change in your menstrual cycle. Physical stress includes excessive exercise or a significant change in your diet.

Weight. Being overweight can cause your menstrual period to be delayed, as can being underweight. Dropping a dramatic amount of weight in a short period of time - for example, if you follow a very strict diet - can cause your menstrual period to be late, too.

Medications. Certain prescription medications may affect your menstrual cycle. Birth control pills are one obvious culprit, but even some psychotropic drugs could cause your period to be late.

Other problems. Other health issues - like a thyroid or pituitary gland condition - could affect your menstrual cycle.