Your period is late and you're starting to panic? Sure, your first thought is probably: Oh God, I'm pregnant!!! But does it really have to be that way?
What other causes should you consider if your period doesn't come and pregnancy is unlikely? We've done some research and found all the information you need on the subject! Check it out!
Summary
There are many reasons why your period comes later than expected.
There is a guideline for cycle length (28 days), but how long your cycle really is depends on the individual.
If waiting for your period makes you nervous, go to your gynecologist and have the whole thing checked out by a doctor.
Table of contents
Contents
1. What happens in a cycle?
Before we talk about why your cycle is acting up, we should talk about what exactly is happening . During the monthly hormonal cycle, the lining of the uterus prepares for a possible pregnancy. This means that the lining grows on the inner wall of the uterus to make it comfortable for the potentially fertilized egg to implant. If the egg is not fertilized, it dies.
When this happens, at the end of the cycle, some blood vessels in the uterine lining temporarily open and the top layer of lining peels off. When the uterus is shed, the muscles of the uterus contract and relax in an irregular rhythm. This is what causes period cramps and gets the blood flowing. Unless you are pregnant and not taking hormonal contraceptives, bleeding marks the end of a cycle before the whole process starts again. Typically (haha), this bleeding at the end of a cycle lasts 3 to 7 days. However, this varies depending on how heavily a person menstruates.
Did you know : Wet panties before your period are not uncommon! Many women are affected by this. Find out what is normal and when you need to see a gynecologisthere .
2. How long overdue is actually normal?
Well, what is normal? One thing is certain: every cycle is different . Accordingly, the breaks between periods are either shorter or longer. For some ladies, the cycle lasts exactly 28 days (never heard of that) and others have a cycle of 31 days; individual fluctuations are not unusual.
Note: Just because your cycle has "always" lasted x days, that doesn't mean that it has to be the case for every cycle. Three days late? Completely normal...
3. Why am I overdue?
So far so good. But what if it has been a suspiciously long time since your last period? Here too, there can be various reasons that have nothing to do with a potential pregnancy. Like what?
Competitive sports: If you push yourself to your physical limits during sports, this can be a reason for cycle fluctuations.
Major weight fluctuations: Extreme underweight or overweight can also delay your menstruation.
Stress: Have you been feeling stressed for months? High levels of psychological stress are also affecting your period.
Hormonal coil: Anyone who uses a hormonal coil is probably already familiar with this phenomenon – periods become less frequent or even stop completely. However, this has no effect on contraception.
Puberty: Is this your first period? Congratulations. It's not unusual for your period not to be regular at the beginning. After all, your body has to adjust to its new superpowers.
4. When should I see a doctor?
But what if you are really overdue? When is it worth going to the doctor? Questions upon questions. If your period really hasn't come for a long period of time, please contact your doctor if in doubt.
For example, if …
… your period is now several weeks late
... you took a pregnancy test that was positive
... you are suffering from nasty physical symptoms (such as abdominal pain or similar).
What happens when I get my period?
If the egg has not been fertilized at the end of a cycle, it dies. When this happens, some blood vessels in the lining of the uterus temporarily open and the top layer of mucous membrane peels off.
Why am I not getting my period?
Possible reasons for this are enormous physical strain (competitive sports), strong weight fluctuations, stress, hormonal contraceptives (IUD, pill), or puberty.
How many days late is normal to be?
Normal is relative. If you are not used to it, that your period has been late for a long time, you are in pain, have had a positive pregnancy test or are simply unsure, go to the gynecologist and have a medical examination!
