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Is your period late and your test is negative? It does not always have to be a symptom of pregnancy. It happens that the irregularity of menstruation is influenced by factors such as stress or a too strict diet. Unfortunately, a late period may be the result of hormonal disorders.
The delaying period – how many days maximum?
The correct menstrual cycle for each woman may vary. Usually it takes 25 – 35 days. The bleeding itself can take 3 to 8 days. However, there are some menstrual disorders. If the differences between consecutive cycles are greater than the standard 2 – 5 days and they occur frequently, it can be called irregular menstruation.
A late period should therefore not cause concern when the bleeding occurs 5 days after the probable date, calculated on the basis of the frequency of the individual cycle. It is also not worth panicking when the period is 7 days late, but once. Certain external factors may be behind this situation. On the other hand, much greater differences may occur when the delayed period is due to hormonal disorders.
Late period and pregnancy
A late period in a woman who has had sexual intercourse may be a sign of pregnancy. After fertilization, the ovum embeds itself in the wall of the uterus, which prevents the mucosa from peeling off and therefore does not remove it. A pregnancy test in the case of a late period can be done on the day when the woman expected her next period, i.e. on the first day of the new cycle. It is worth noting that even if it gives a positive result, spotting may appear due to the implementation of the embryo in the uterus.
On the other hand, a late period in a 45-year-old woman may herald a gradual entering the period of menopause. It is usually accompanied by hot flashes. The period then occurs more and more irregularly until it finally disappears.
A late period – once or occasionally
There are other factors that can cause your period to be late. This usually happens sporadically or the difference in cycle length is not large. Factors of this type include, for example, strong and long-lasting stress. It affects the level of cortisol in the body, which disrupts the body’s hormonal balance. Thus, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which are important in the functioning of the reproductive system, are disrupted.
The late period can also be the result of traveling between different time zones. It is influenced by changes in time and air pressure, as well as overall body fatigue. In addition, the period is late during rigorous weight loss and sudden weight loss, unusual physical exertion or due to acute infections.
A delayed period may be a sign of an illness
If your late period becomes more and more frequent, you may want to consider visiting a gynecologist and endocrinologist. This may be evidence of:
- polycystic ovary syndrome, caused by incorrect work of the pituitary or hypothalamus,
- thyroid disorders,
- adrenal cortex diseases,
- elevated levels of prolactin,
- corpus luteum insufficiency, when only scanty spotting appears,
- the presence of cysts on the ovaries.
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