Missed or Late Period? Signs That Indicate a Delay

This is said, every missed period is a question mark, and every arrival is an exclamation of endurance.

Well, every girl can relate to this!

Delayed periods are like a toxic red flag partner. If he doesn’t come, you will wait with a heavy heart, and if he does, then his toxicity(cramps) will kill you from inside. Similar to this, your delay periods may kill you with worry for hormonal changes, weight fluctuation and conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS).

Therefore, dear girls, understanding your body’s symptoms is just as important as recognising the signs of a toxic partner early, because only then can you protect yourself from that toxicity(causes). Here, we cover the signs of delayed periods, their causes, and how to bring them back on schedule.

Main Signs if Your Period is Delayed

If you are confused about your menstrual cycle, is it late, or just a normal missed day? Then begin tracking your daily physical changes and behavioural changes as well, because beyond physical symptoms, irregular periods can take a toll on your emotional well-being. Here are the most common signs that your period is delayed:

• Absence of Menstruation
• Breast Tenderness
• Mood Swings
• Abdominal Cramps
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headaches

Also read: How to Get Periods Early? Check Sleep Positions & More.

What are the Reasons for a Delayed Period?

Even a 7-day late period can bring a mix of confusion, stress, and even fear. Late periods refer to menstrual cycles that deviate from the typical 21–35 day range, or sometimes so light bleeding. These distressing irregularities may disrupt your overall health. Here are the most common causes of irregular periods:

1. Hormonal Imbalances

If you are experiencing fluctuations in hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Then it may disrupt your menstrual cycle and lead to serious health issues. The serious health issues include thyroid abnormalities or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and yes, it is due to irregularities or missed periods. 

2. Stress and Emotional Health

A study says that higher stress levels may be significantly associated with abnormal menstrual patterns, including delays. This is why emotional strain, anxiety, or major life changes may result in delayed ovulation, causing a late period. It can also interfere with the part of your brain (hypothalamus) that regulates your hormones. 

3. Weight Fluctuations and Eating Disorders

Sudden weight loss, or eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, can impact your hormone levels. This fluctuation can affect the ovulation process. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight is essential for regular menstrual cycles.

4. Excessive Exercise

Intense physical training or overexercising can lower body fat levels and may lead to delayed or missed periods. This disrupts the hormonal balance, which is mostly common in athletes or those who lift heavy weights. 

5. Contraceptive Use

If you consumed birth control pills or used IUDs, then it can alter your menstrual cycle. It’s normal to experience lighter, irregular, or even missed periods. Though the copper IUD doesn’t prevent you from ovulating or subsequently menstruating. However, you may experience longer or shorter menstrual cycles and other irregularities after this.

6. Perimenopause

The transition process to menopause, known as perimenopause. It usually begins in your 40s. In this phase, menstrual cycles become irregular due to declining hormone levels, which can result in delayed periods. In this stage, your immunity becomes weaker. Therefore, eating a healthy diet is essential.

7. Chronic Health Conditions

Severe health issues like diabetes, celiac disease, or hyperprolactinemia can interfere with menstrual regulation. Managing chronic conditions is crucial for a consistent menstrual cycle. You should also consider a test for a proper confirmation to know whether there is any chronic condition behind your late periods.

Also read: Winter Periods: How Does Winter Affect Your Period Cycle?

What to do if Periods are late?

Be relaxed! Late periods can be an early sign of pregnancy. So you can book a pregnancy test for better confirmation with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis. 

However, it is not only a possible symptom. It can be due to further health issues or a lack of nutrients in the body. Here is a 1-week diet plan for late periods. By following it, your periods may surely come if it's just because of a lack of nutrients or energy.

7-Day Diet Plan for Late Period

This 7-Day diet plan can help you get early period:

Days	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sunday	Oatmeal with flaxseeds, banana, and almond milk	Quinoa salad and leafy greens & olive oil	Baked salmon with sweet potato & steamed broccoli
Monday	Vegetable poha with peanuts & pomegranate	Brown rice with lentil dal, spinach & cucumber salad	Tofu stir-fry with mixed veggies & whole-grain roti
Tuesday	Whole-grain toast with avocado & boiled eggs	Chickpea salad with cucumber, tomato & olive oil	Green vegetables like Lauki or Torai with cucumber
Wednesday	Greek yogurt with granola & mixed berries	Brown rice with black beans, sautéed veggies & paneer	Baked cod with mashed sweet potatoes & green beans
Thursday	Moong dal chilla with mint chutney & fruit	Quinoa with roasted chickpeas & fresh vegetable salad	Grilled turkey or tofu with roasted Brussels sprouts
Friday	Oat pancakes with berries & a handful of walnuts	Whole-grain pasta with tomato sauce & sautéed vegetables	Baked tofu with stir-fried broccoli & carrots
Saturday	Smoothie bowl with spinach, chia seeds & banana	Grilled salmon with quinoa & steamed asparagus	Lentil stew with whole-grain bread & side salad

7 Ways to Get Periods Early

If you are close to your period date or concerned about late periods, and may wish to get it early. Here are some ways to get your period fast naturally.

• Ginger Tea: Drinking ginger tea daily can help you get your period early. This is because it may help stimulate uterine contractions and also improve blood flow.
• Papaya: Eating raw papaya or drinking papaya juice can help regulate periods due to its heat-producing properties.
• Fenugreek Seeds (Methi): It can be a good choice to get your period early. For this, you have to soak fenugreek seeds or fenugreek tea, which may help you balance hormones and induce periods.
• Sesame Seeds (Til): Consuming roasted sesame seeds or combining them with jaggery can help to strengthen the uterus. Additionally, jaggery can help raise your blood's hemoglobin levels.
• Exercise & Yoga: Regular physical activity or specific yoga poses (like the butterfly pose) can help regulate periods.
• Turmeric Milk: Drinking warm milk with turmeric at night is a traditional remedy to promote early menstruation.
• Aloe Vera: Consuming aloe vera gel with honey on an empty stomach can help in balancing hormones. As we know, balanced hormones help in getting a period regularly.

When to Seek a Doctor?

If you didn’t get your period with these methods, then your doctor may examine you. The doctor may check your weight and height to work on your BMI. Examining physical appearance can also be a part of a checkup. They may want to see your body hair growth, such as excess hair growth on the face can be a sign of PCOS or hormone imbalance.

The doctor may also ask you for some internal tests, such as:

Blood test: This helps to check hormone levels(like thyroid, prolactin, estrogen, progesterone) to find out hormone imbalance. It may also include pregnancy tests, blood sugar tests, and general health markers.

Ultrasound scan: A pelvic ultrasound is done to examine the uterus, ovaries, and endometrial lining. It helps to detect issues like fibroids, cysts, or structural abnormalities.

PCOS screening: This test involves a blood test and an ultrasound. It may help to check for polycystic ovaries and hormonal changes (like high androgens), which are common causes of delayed or irregular periods.

Final Thoughts

Late periods can be a reason for concern. If your periods are late, then common signs include mild cramping, bloating, mood swings, tender breasts, and increased vaginal discharge can be experienced.

However, maintaining a proper diet, regular exercise and using some home remedies can help to get early. But if you didn't get it for a long time, even after these methods, you should consult a doctor immediately. 

To find out what caused your delay, you can schedule an appointment with Redcliffe Labs. 

FAQ

1. What are the common reasons for a late period?

Common causes of late periods include stress, hormonal imbalance, sudden weight changes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid issues, or early signs of pregnancy.

2. How many days can a period be late before worrying?

A period is generally considered late if it hasn't started within 7 days of the expected date. If it's more than a week late, consider taking a pregnancy test or consulting a doctor.

3. What should I do if my period is late but I’m not pregnant?

If you are not pregnant and your period is still late, then it can be due to high stress and an improper diet. Reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and eating a balanced diet can help you get your period early.

4. Is it normal to have irregular periods occasionally?

Yes, irregularities are normal, especially during puberty, perimenopause, or times of high stress. However, consistent irregularity may require medical attention.