5 Reasons Your Period is Late (Besides Pregnancy)

Missing your period is not always a sign of pregnancy. In fact, many women have experienced missed periods in certain months despite not having intercourse in recent days before. There are many external reasons why this occurs, some more likely than others. Here are some common factors that directly affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.

5 Common Reasons of Irregular Period Cycles

  1. Stress

Your body responds to stress in many ways than one. For women, your brain can tell your endocrine system to flood your body with certain hormones that can delay some “unnecessary” functions. When under a lot of pressure, you may stop ovulating, which will delay your period by a couple of days. 

  1. Weight Loss or Weight Gain 5 Reasons Your Period is Late (Besides Pregnancy) Image

Sudden changes in eating patterns can affect your body clock. When you change your diet drastically, it can disrupt how your body normally breaks down the food you eat to convert it into energy. An increase or decrease in body fat can cause a hormone imbalance. 

Studies also found that severe restriction or intense, excessive workouts can disrupt the endocrine system’s flow with your reproductive hormones.

  1. Contraceptives

It is a normal side effect for women who have just started taking contraceptives to be a little behind on their period the first few months. Because of the hormones introduced into the body’s system, your reproductive health will have to take time to process things before becoming regular again. 

Contraceptives are also known to change menstrual bleeding patterns. Some can experience spotting or heavy bleeding on certain days. It is usually not a cause for concern, but you can always call your doctor to figure things out if you need reassurance. 

  1. Menopause

A missed period may be a sign of pregnancy, but it is also a sign that the fertility window is closing. Menopause usually occurs with women over the age of 45, though it is not uncommon for some women to start menopause at an early age. There is no certain way to tell when menopause will occur for you. But if you are in that age range and experience other signs of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, you can tell that it’s coming up.

  1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

If your period has always been irregular, you may have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS, a health condition that affects six to twelve percent of the US population. PCOS is hereditary, and there is no known cure or treatment, but it is not something to be too alarmed about. Women with PCOS can live healthy lives and help regulate their period by changing their lifestyle and diet. 


Missing your period is not something that you should alarm yourself over, most especially if you can pinpoint why it’s been happening to you often. A few lifestyle changes can get your cycle right back on track. But if you feel that your missed period is a cause for concern, it is advisable to see your doctor.