Why Is Your Period Late?

There are many reasons for the delayed period, not just pregnancy. Let's take a look at the most frequent ones.

 

Your period can be late due to stress. Relax. (jlp)

Pregnancy?

 

Pregnancy is only possible if you had sexual intercourse with a man without protection. Well, sometimes even protection fails. You can only get pregnant when a man ejaculates into the vagina, but it can happen that a woman gets pregnant also in cases when her partner pulls out his penis before ejaculating. Just remember that oral sex and anal sex don't lead to pregnancy.

If you were intimate with your partner in a way which could lead to pregnancy and your period is late, you can do two things: buy a pregnancy test or calculate your fertile days. Fertile days are not an appropriate method of protection, since they aren't reliable, but they can help you figure out if you were in a fertile period during the sexual intercourse.

When is a woman most fertile?

 

A woman is most fertile in the middle of her menstrual cycle, when her vaginal excrement is increased. This fertile period is called ovulation.

 

Your nutrition should be healthy (diverse), especially if you're still growing. Your period will be more regular. (jlp)

 

Menstrual calendars can be helpful in establishing your fertile days and your ovulation time. Their purpose isn't only to establish your fertile days, but also to follow your body’s behaviour in general. It can be of great help to your gynaecologist, as we don't always remember what was happening with us a few months back.

Sickness, stress, alcohol and drugs can all influence ovulation, so counting days isn't a reliable method.

Establishing fertile days with the help of the Moon

 

Some believe that there's a connection between the Moon and the menstrual cycle. The Moon’s "fertile" phase can happen any time regardless of your menstrual cycle – i.e. before, during or after menstruation. Fertile days as calculated according to the cycle of the Moon are determined individually, based on the date of your birth, so a woman can have two fertile periods in one month.

Why is your period late?

 

Your period can get delayed for various reasons, stress being the most common cause. Menstruation can also be late because a new type of hormonal balance is being established in your body. Infrequent periods are thus typical for the teenage years. The establishment of a regular menstrual cycle can last for several years.

The right nutrition is important for menstruation. If we eat too little, or if we always eat the same kind of food, or if we're prone to anorexia or bulimia, this certainly affects our period. Excessive exercise can drain the body, especially in the growing age. Your body can also be drained by drugs, alcohol and some medicaments. In general, changing your routine can always disturb your menstrual cycle.

 

Some medicaments can cause your period to be late. (jlp)

Long- and short-term delay

 

Infrequent or irregular menstruation, or even the absence of it, can last for either a short or a long period of time. If you have infrequent period for a long time and your bleeding is strong, you should consult your doctor.

 

In cases of a one time instance of delay or when the menstruation is late for only a month or two, ask yourself whether you've recently changed your lifestyle. Is there more stress in your life? Have you changed your eating habits? Have you been drinking excessively? If you reply YES to any of these questions, you know the most probable answer to why your period is late.

 

Menstruation isn't only a menace women have to deal with every month. It can tell us a lot about what's happening in our bodies. Next time you are angry because you have to bear it and when you're thinking to yourself "the world would be a better place without it", be happy that you have it and that it doesn't indicate any problems.

 

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