How many days is it normal for periods to be late

Reason: hormone levels are higher in the morning urine. Sometimes, a home test is negative even if you think you might be pregnant. In this case, repeat the test.

Do the repeat test in days. You can also go to a doctor's office for testing. A pregnancy testing fact sheet can be found at www. Search "pregnancy tests. Bellevue Everett Federal Way Seattle. Should your child see a doctor? All Symptoms. Accept All Cookies. Working exercise into your schedule on a daily basis is great, but excessive exercising could lead to lower levels of estrogen , which is the hormone that regulates the female reproductive process. A little stress in your life is fine, but chronic stress can throw your body out of balance.

Stress activates the hormone cortisol and pushes your body into survival mode. If you are experiencing prolonged stress, your body can induce amenorrhea and will prevent menstruation. Switching to the night shift or traveling to another time zone may prevent your menstrual cycle from starting.

According to a study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology , any disruptions to your circadian rhythm —the internal clock that regulates important cellular processes —can cause you to experience irregular periods. A study on the effect of antipsychotics on menstruation found that amenorrhea occurred because prolactin levels were imbalanced.

Additionally, some birth control medications, such as an IUD, implant or shot, may cease your periods while on them. Issues with your thyroid, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism , can disturb your menstrual cycle. Luckily, there are effective treatments for thyroid disorders, so see an endocrinologist for a blood test if you think this might be an issue for you. Little is known about what causes this disease, but about five million women in the United States may be affected by PCOS.

A person with anorexia may have imbalances of two essential hormones that support the menstrual cycle and fertility: follicle stimulating hormone FSH and luteinizing hormone LH.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association , one sign of anorexia is a loss of periods after puberty. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea is one of the most common causes of secondary amenorrhea — periods that stop. In people with this condition, weight loss, stress, and high levels of exercise contribute to amenorrhea. These factors cause irregularities in the release of a specific hormone that causes impairment of FSH and LH.

People with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea may also have low levels of estrogen in their blood. Sex hormones help regulate periods, but other hormones can also affect menstrual cycles. For example, imbalances in levels of thyroid hormone or prolactin can alter the length of a cycle.

According to an older study, more than half of females with high levels of thyroid hormone — a condition called hyperthyroidism — may experience disrupted menstrual cycles, including amenorrhea.

Others with low levels of thyroid hormone — or hypothyroidism — tend to experience more frequent bleeding.

A person may have high levels of the hormone prolactin in their blood — a condition called hyperprolactinemia. Levels of this hormone tend to rise during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but they can also spike in people who take certain medications or who have diseases of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. People with hyperprolactinemia may experience amenorrhea, discharge from the nipples, and low bone mass. Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in people of reproductive age, globally.

Individuals with PCOS may have:. Doctors may recommend lifestyle modifications, hormonal treatments, and the drug metformin to help regulate the menstrual cycle. Some people with PCOS also experience infertility. People take Plan B to prevent pregnancy following sex without contraception.

A person should take the medication within 72 hours of sex, as the efficacy of the drug decreases over time. It contains only levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the hormone progestin. After taking Plan B, a person can expect to get their period at the usual time, but there may be a delay of up to 1 week. Also, some people experience spotting or bleeding between taking Plan B and getting their period.

If a person does not get their period within a week of taking the drug, it is probably a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

Missing a period does not always indicate pregnancy or a health issue. Speak with a doctor if periods do not arrive by age 16 or if they stop for more than 3 months in a row. Tracking periods can help a person recognize any irregularity. Anyone who notices a change in the length of time between periods should speak with a doctor.

Also, it is a good idea to consult a doctor if periods come more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days. Amenorrhea is not life-threatening. However, the hormonal imbalances that can cause it can also lead to harmful complications, such as hip and wrist fractures.