My Period is Late, Am I Pregnant?

Although a late period should always be considered a warning signal, other factors apart from pregnancy could cause you to skip your period or get it late. 

Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Stress: Stress can delay or stop ovulation, and when that happens your period could be delayed or skipped as well.
2. Big change in body weight: A major loss or gain of weight can delay or stop your period. 

Body fat impacts the amount of estrogen hormone your body produces, and too much or too little estrogen can delay or block both ovulation and menstruation.

3. Contraceptive use: Hormonal contraceptives like Depo-Provera can cause you to have irregular periods, skipped periods, or no periods at all. 

The same thing can happen when you take certain brands of birth control pills.

4. Intense athletic activity: Periods of intense athletic training can be associated with having irregular periods or having no periods at all.
5. Medications: Certain medications can impact the regularity of the menstrual cycle.
6. Illness: Certain illnesses can delay your period.
7. Eating disorders: Women who suffer from anorexia or bulimia often do not have enough body fat to produce the amount of estrogen needed for regular ovulation. 

Without ovulation, periods can be irregular or totally absent.2

8. Jet lag: Long-distance travel can mess with your body’s clock, which can also have an impact on the regularity of your periods.

When your period is late, wait a week or so and then take a pregnancy test. If the result is negative, see your doctor to figure out the cause of your problem.