A delayed period can create a stressful situation for any woman. If you are hoping to be pregnant or are simply wondering what the cause may be, having answers is essential to your physical and mental well-being. In addition to pregnancy, there are numerous factors that can influence the regularity of the menstrual cycle. A high stress level, a change in routine, a new drug treatment, an alteration in sex life, or even a change in daily routine related to work or school commitments, can cause a delay in your period. Each month you should track the start of your period to know when to expect it to return. If you think the delay may be caused by a health disorder, such as a thyroid problem or polycystic ovary syndrome, see your doctor right away.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Consider Possible Causes
Step 1. Consider the possibility of being pregnant
The best known cause for a delayed period is pregnancy. When you become pregnant, the inner lining of the uterus becomes necessary, so it is not expelled causing menstruation.
If you are sexually active, you should consider being pregnant, even if you and your partner have taken precautions. No form of contraceptive is 100% effective, so there is a possibility that the delay is due to pregnancy
Step 2. Evaluate if you have changed your routine in any way
Any change in your normal daily schedule can cause a change in your menstrual cycle. Your body is very sensitive to this type of alteration and often the menstrual cycle is the first to suffer from the negative effects. Think back to your daily routine of the last month and evaluate whether or not there have been any changes that in some ways upset your daily routine.
Among the possible changes you may have changed jobs or the time you get up or go to sleep, have started taking a new drug or stopped using a certain contraceptive (for example the pill), you may also have become more sexually active or you may have changed hours or assignments at work
Step 3. Monitor your stress levels
It is a major cause of delayed periods. If you have a very stressful life, psychologically or otherwise, the regularity of your period could be highly compromised. Try to minimize the amount of stress in your daily life to try to normalize the cycle.
If you are trying to understand the cause of the delay, consider whether you have been under intense stress in the last month. Have you been through a painful separation? Did you have to deliver an important project to work? Have you had any uncomfortable guests in the house? Have you taken a difficult exam?
Method 2 of 3: Ask a Professional for help
Step 1. Take a home pregnancy test
Since a delay in your period could indicate that you are pregnant, it may be useful to buy a test to perform in the comfort of your home. You can buy a reliable product in any pharmacy or in the most well-stocked supermarkets. The operation is very simple, you have to urinate on the strip contained in the package and wait a few minutes for the result to appear.
Home pregnancy tests are usually pretty accurate. However, you should go to the doctor to get a definitive result
Step 2. See your GP
There are many physical factors that can cause a delay in the menstrual cycle. If you are concerned, make an appointment with your doctor so that he can order tests that will help determine the cause of the delay. At the very least, it will be able to rule out some of the more serious medical causes, giving you greater peace of mind.
Your doctor will order medical tests to determine if the delayed period is caused by a disease, such as a hormonal imbalance, a thyroid disorder or polycystic ovary syndrome
Step 3. Start taking an oral contraceptive
In addition to preventing pregnancy, the birth control pill is often used to promote greater regularity of the cycle. In fact, this type of drug is quite effective in getting the body to start menstruating on the same day every month.
- Remember that the birth control pill is not suitable for everyone. If you are generally negligent in taking your medication, it will not prove effective. If you are a smoker, know that there is a higher risk of having a stroke for women who use the pill and are over 35 years of age.
- Other forms of contraception can also help you regulate your cycle, for example the intrauterine device (IUD). Ask your doctor to tell you which one is best for you, based on your medical history, lifestyle and personal preferences.
Method 3 of 3: Note the Cycle Dates
Step 1. Write the date each month on the calendar
To be able to determine if your period is late, you need to know when to expect it to begin. Since every woman's body is different, you should take note of the length of her period over time to understand what is normal for yours in particular. Record the start of your cycle on a calendar month after month.
An adult woman's menstrual cycle generally lasts between 21 and 35 days, although the average is usually 28
Step 2. Use a website to track your cycle
There are many who have an easy-to-use calendar to take note and track of your monthly period appointment. Whichever site you choose will ask you to enter some basic age and health information to create a personalized account. After registering, you can enter the start and end dates of your menstrual cycle each month. After a few months, the calculator will start using algorithms to determine when you are likely to be ovulating and when to expect your next period.
- Search online using the keywords "menstrual calendar" and choose the site you prefer.
- In addition to websites dedicated solely to this purpose, major sanitary napkin brands have a page that you can use to determine when your next cycle should start.
Step 3. Download an app for your smartphone
There are also numerous applications that you can download to your mobile and use to monitor your symptoms or predict when your next period will begin. It's a great way to keep track of cycle dates discreetly (rather than highlighting them on the calendar), while still being able to access the information you need with ease. All you have to do is download one of these apps on your mobile and create a personalized account in a few moments. Just enter some essential data and then remember to enter the start and end date of the menstrual cycle every month.
