What are the Reasons for a Late Period?

Many women trying to conceive will know their menstrual cycle like the back of their hand. They know all the pregnancy symptoms to look out for – the dull ache that can come with ovulation, the tiny twinge that could mean implantation is taking place, the precise moment their next bleed is due down to the nearest minute. So when their period is late, it can be very tempting to get all excited and think that the magic has worked and they are indeed pregnant. While it is often the case that missing your period is one of the first signs of pregnancy, unfortunately there are other reasons why it might happen. So before you start celebrating, here are some other explanations to take into consideration... Adding up While it is possible to roughly track your menstrual cycle, it is not possible to be completely accurate. Even a regular cycle doesn’t guarantee your period will arrive when expected as ovulation can vary from month to month. If you are keeping a record of your cycle, it can help to write the dates down to avoid any miscalculations. Stress and illness Whether it’s stress with work, a new routine, looking after little ones or simply stress from the pressure of looking for pregnancy symptoms, all this can knock your cycle off kilter. If you are ill or anxious around the time you normally ovulate, this could delay or even stop your period. Pill popping Coming off the contraceptive pill is a big change for your body and it can take a while before a normal routine returns. While your cycle tries to get back to a regular pattern, it is important not to see a late period as one of the signs of pregnancy as it could just be a temporary delay. Weight problems Being overweight can sometimes mean that too much oestrogen is being produced, affecting a healthy menstrual cycle. Likewise, being underweight or having an eating disorder can make periods irregular, or stop. Sport While keeping fit is always a good thing, excessive sport can have a detrimental effect on a woman’s menstrual cycle. Often an athlete can stop menstruating altogether as her body attempts to conserve energy. Polycycstic ovaries Polycycstic ovarian syndrome is a common condition often linked to being overweight. Common features are cysts developing around the edge of the ovaries, high levels of male hormones and a failure to ovulate, all of which can lead to irregular or light periods. The same can occur with thyroid problems. Early menopause Some women can go through the menopause much earlier than the expected age of about 45. If it happens before hitting 40, it is known as premature menopause. Unfortunately, this can mean that a late period is not one of the signs of pregnancy but that the time for having a baby is coming to an end. (Source: http://www.zimbio.com/Pregnancy/articles/utrnqI5_dHE/Reasons+Late+Period?add=True)