Late period – when your cycle falls out of rhythm

How many days late can a period be?

" Happy people don't count time"? I would reshape this saying a bit - I propose: " happy are those who don't have to count". ;)

Menstrual cycles, their length, course and the amount of bleeding itself are highly individual characteristics. What is normal for you may be an exception for another person.

A normal menstrual cycle lasts…?

If such a question were asked on a game show, I think the respondents' answers would be divided like never before.

According to generally available sources, a normal menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days. However, the key is not so much its length, but its regularity . Cycles that last longer, even by 2 to 4 days, than previous bleedings, you can still safely call regular . If the difference between the previous and the next period is more than the given range and is different for each subsequent bleeding - then the menstrual cycle is irregular .

Take a look here – our friendly gynecologist Karolina explained to us all the secrets of menstruation. :)

Causes of a Late Period – Doesn't Always Mean Pregnancy

And it's gone. You wait, you turn the calendar pages (or scroll through the app), you check, you count... no sign, no sound. What now?

Calm down! First, let's get to the heart of the matter. A late period is a conundrum for specialists, so don't skip the tests anyway. We'll gladly walk you through the potential reasons why you're struggling with irregular periods.

Pregnancy

Usually, the first reaction to a late period is to suspect pregnancy*, especially if you have had unprotected sex and your period does not come on time. So it is worth taking a pregnancy test.

During pregnancy, levels of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) change to support pregnancy and allow for proper development of the embryo. These are therefore completely different values ​​than those that determine menstrual bleeding.

* In addition to the absence of menstruation, pregnancy may be indicated by:

• increased body temperature,
• breast enlargement and swelling,
• nausea and vomiting,
• increased frequency of urination,
• dizziness.

Irregular periods often occur due to various health problems and diseases of the reproductive system. Here are some of them:

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Responsible for PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome , are hormonal disorders that negatively affect the functioning of the ovaries. This is the most common cause of menstrual disorders .

Symptoms of PCOS include:

• anovulatory cycles and related menstrual disorders ,
• hyperandrogenism, which causes acne and excessive hair growth, among other things (read more about excessive hair growth, or hirsutism, here ),
• ultrasound image of polycystic ovaries (detection of numerous small follicles or increased ovarian volume).

To diagnose PCOS, 2 of the 3 disorders described above must be present.

Other hormonal disorders

In order for the ovaries to function properly and for menstruation to occur regularly, it is necessary to maintain an optimal level of thyroid hormones (T3, T4). In short: they are responsible for, among other things, metabolism, the proper functioning of the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are therefore states of disharmony for the body and can cause irregular periods.

Other hormonal disorders that contribute to menstrual irregularities include hyperandrogenism (increased production of androgens in the body) and insulin resistance (which may or may not be related to obesity). Amenorrhea can also be the result of increased prolactin secretion (so-called hyperprolactinemia ).

Taking certain medications

The cause of a late period may be related to the side effects of taking certain medications. These include some antidepressants, sleeping pills, and those used to treat high blood pressure.

The causes of a late period may also be directly related to lifestyle.

Stress

This gentleman doesn't need any special introduction. ;) Sometimes it's hard to avoid stressful situations and maintain mental balance. Nerves are often responsible for disrupting the menstrual cycle. Hormones and other compounds secreted in stressful situations (especially during long-term stress) contribute to disruptions in the functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, leading to menstrual disorders. Additionally, stress causes an increase in the concentration of prolactin (a hormone that stimulates milk production). Its excess outside of pregnancy adversely affects the functioning of the body and can cause irregular periods (or their absence).

Incorrect body weight

Both excessive weight loss and obesity can cause delayed menstruation.

The key word in this paragraph is leptin (called the satiety hormone) – a hormone produced by fat cells. The amount of hormone produced determines how much fat a person has in their body.

• People with low body fat may experience impaired leptin production. A decrease in the concentration of this hormone in the body causes abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the elements of which are responsible for menstrual bleeding, ovarian follicle growth, andovulation .
• In turn, in people with obesity, leptin levels are very high, which often – instead of suppressing appetite – increases it even more. This condition is called leptin resistance. It often goes hand in hand with other hormonal disorders (such as insulin resistance).

Overexertion

An active lifestyle usually brings only positive effects on our health and well-being. The situation is completely different when physical exertion and the increased calorie demand it causes are not balanced by a healthy diet that eliminates all deficiencies.

Climate change

Travel, especially to places in different time zones, can really mess with our biological clocks. They can, but they don't have to - it all depends on the individual conditions of the body and the resistance to stress and sleep deprivation that usually accompany long-distance travel.

Late period and puberty

In young people who have just started menstruating, a late period is not abnormal. Doctors point out that it takes about 5 to 6 years for the cycle to regulate from the moment of menarche , or the first period. If after that the period does not appear in a regular rhythm, you should consult a gynecologist.

Late menstruation and menopause

A delay in menopause in people between the ages of 45 and 55 may indicate the beginning of perimenopause. During this time, hormonal changes occur to prepare the body for the last menstrual bleeding. During menopause, ovarian function ceases: estrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels drop rapidly.

Can you “induce” a late period?

When I was still in high school, a late period was a permanent fixture every month. My weight was constantly fluctuating, and my mood kept pace with it (I am one of those exceptionally " sensitive" people, it took me years of hard work to stop analyzing all the stressful situations). The complete disruption of my menstrual cycle also did not improve my already unstable state. Well, instead of visiting a gynecologist, I resolutely talked it over with my friends during the break. And that is how my adventure with " inducing" my period began. It sounds ritualistic and spiritual, but unfortunately - instead of a witches' sabbath, it was washing my intimate areas with hot water and swallowing vitamin C. You know, we read something on some shady forums, we did some magic between classes and that's how I found myself in the middle of the vicious circle of my cycle. Because I don't have to emphasize that it didn't work, do I? ;)

Both the reasons for a missed period and the issues of regulating it should be consulted with a doctor. A specialist can prescribe medications that will allow you to safely "induce" your period and improve your quality of life. These include birth control pills - the schedule for their use is very different, depending on the type of preparation and the preferences of the person taking it. You can learn more about pills from our article here , and about hormonal contraception here .

Warm baths with a glass of wine in your hand , abdominal massage , physical exercise – these are some of the slogans we can find in articles devoted to home remedies for a late period (after ruling out pregnancy, of course). Such practices will certainly relax the body and mind, but they will not cope if the period is delayed for more serious reasons. So let's approach all such advice with reserve – I tested it on my own skin. ;)

When should you see a doctor about irregular periods?

Any missed period should be confronted with a professional doctor's eye. If a pregnancy test has been performed, pregnancy and the influence of factors related to a demanding lifestyle (stress, fatigue) have been ruled out - more serious illnesses can delay your period. Do not delay - especially if the missed period is accompanied by additional symptoms (for example, severe abdominal pain, back pain, unusual vaginal discharge).