05 Mar My Period is Late. What Should I Do?
When your period is late, it’s natural to feel concerned, confused, and anxious. Whether it’s just a few days or over a week past your expected date, you may be wondering what’s going on with your body and what steps to take next.
While a late period can be an early sign of pregnancy, other factors can also affect your cycle. Let’s explore possible reasons for a missed period and what you can do to find answers.
Reasons You Could Be Late
Several things can cause a delayed period, so it’s important to consider any recent changes in your routine or health. Stress is a common factor, as high levels of stress can disrupt hormone balance and delay ovulation.
Significant weight loss or gain, changes in your diet, or intense exercise can also impact your cycle. If you’ve recently started, stopped, or switched hormonal birth control, your body may need time to adjust, which could lead to a late or irregular period. Illness, travel, or changes in sleep patterns can also disrupt your menstrual cycle.
Looking for Pregnancy Symptoms
If lifestyle changes don’t seem to explain your late period, watch for early pregnancy symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Nausea (with or without vomiting)
- Tender, swollen breasts
While these symptoms can point to pregnancy, they can also be caused by other health conditions, so it’s essential to confirm with pregnancy testing.
Taking a Pregnancy Test
The best way to get clarity is to take a pregnancy test. Most at-home pregnancy tests are highly accurate when taken on the first day of a missed period, so you don’t have to wait long. For the most reliable results, test in the morning when hCG (the pregnancy hormone) is most concentrated in your urine.
If the result is positive, or if you’re unsure about the accuracy of your test, Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center can provide no-cost pregnancy testing you can count on.
Get Answers Today
The best thing you can do to confirm pregnancy is get testing and an ultrasound. At Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center, we offer these services at no cost. An ultrasound is a critical step to confirm key details like how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and if it is progressing.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Schedule a confidential appointment with us today to get the answers and support you need.