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Does a late period always mean pregnancy? While pregnancy is the main cause of a late period for many women, this may not always be the case. The mere fact that a woman has recently been under severe stress can delay her menstruation. What could be other reasons for a late period?
A late period – irregular menstruation
The length of the cycle may vary. It will not always be 30 days. Sometimes it may be 27 days and sometimes it may be 35 days. It all depends on the woman’s body, as well as on other causes that we mention below. It is worth knowing, however, that if your period is more than 5 days late, you can already speak of an irregular menstrual cycle. This does not immediately mean that the woman is pregnant.
Late period – pregnancy
The main reason for a late period is, of course, pregnancy. There is no doubt about this, so it is worth doing a pregnancy test as a first step. If the test shows two lines or the second line is not visible, but it does – see your gynecologist to confirm your pregnancy. In case of doubt, the doctor may always order additional tests, e.g. the level of the hCG hormone. This hormone is produced by the fetus from the moment of fertilization.
It is also worth visiting a doctor in a situation where the time before menstruation is preceded by very strong abdominal pain, backache, but also when menstruation is often late. Being overweight or underweight can also be reasons to see your doctor and check that your body is functioning properly.
The delayed period – stress, infections, menopause
In excluding pregnancy, a late period may have a completely different cause. Sometimes, severe and sudden stress can delay menstruation. Overweight and underweight, the last disease in which antibiotic therapy was necessary, but also an inadequate diet, may also be responsible for the delayed period. Proper nutrition affects our entire body and well-being. If we eat on the run, under constant stress, follow diets low in calories or, on the contrary – fat and very caloric, one of the symptoms may be delayed menstruation.
There may also be irregular periods before menopause, and a late period is not unusual in this case. Hormonal changes in a woman’s body mean that menstruation is not as regular as it used to be.
Check what to do when menopause comes too early
Another reason for a late period may be fatigue. In this case, it is not only about intensive training in the gym, running, cycling and competitive sports. Fatigue can also mean putting work above all else.
Late period – do not underestimate
For the above reasons, it could be concluded that the delayed period does not mean anything wrong. In fact, in some cases it is completely normal. However, it is worth consulting a doctor in any case. Especially if the lagging period repeats itself every month. Sometimes it can be a symptom of serious diseases, such as cancer or diseases of the reproductive system.
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