Are You Sick?

Menstrual Period - Missed or Late

Is this your symptom?

Late or missed menstrual period
Late Period: 5 or more days late compared to normal cycle
Missed Period: no period for more than 6 weeks
Not using any birth control that stops periods. These products include birth control shots, implants, and IUDs with hormones.
Not currently bleeding

Normal cycle. Periods can be regular, infrequent, or irregular. They can stop for all sorts of reasons. Most of the time there is no cause for worry. It is usual for periods to stop:

During pregnancy. Periods stop until after the baby is born. They may take a few weeks to restart.
During breastfeeding. You will not normally have a period until you have finished breastfeeding. If you miss some feedings or reduce the amount you are breastfeeding, you may bleed.
Menopause. This is the time in your life when your ovaries stop producing eggs and you stop having periods. It happens around age 50, but can be sooner for some women.
Birth Control. If you are using certain types of birth control, you may have very light, occasional or no periods. These include:

Progesterone only pill (mini pill)
An intrauterine device (IUD)
A progestogen contraceptive injection
A progestogen contraceptive implant
After stopping a hormonal birth control, it may take your body a few months to start its normal cycle again.

Other Causes

Stress. Stress can affect hormones that regulate your periods. Stress, or a sudden emotional event can stop periods. The periods often return once the stressful period is over.
Dieting, extreme exercise and weight loss. Losing weight may result in periods stopping. If your body mass index (BMI) goes below 19 or if you have an eating disorder, your periods may stop. Extreme athletes and those who exercise an excessive amount can also miss periods.
Polycystic ovarian disease. A condition of small cysts in the ovaries and hormone imbalance. You may not ovulate every month, miss periods and find it hard to get pregnant.
Endocrine disorders. Several conditions affect hormone levels.

Prolactinoma. This is a non-cancerous growth in a small gland which releases too much prolactin. Prolactin is normally released to stimulate breast milk production after giving birth. Symptoms of a prolactinoma include breast milk production, irregular or no periods, infertility and excessive hair growth.
Thyroid gland disorders. An under or overactive thyroid gland, can cause your periods to be irregular or to stop.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. A rare genetic condition in which the adrenal gland does not produce hormones properly. Can lead to missed periods or no periods.
Cushing’s syndrome. This condition is caused by too high a level of steroid hormones (cortisol). The body might be making too much cortisol, or it could be from taking steroids to treat another problem or to enhance sports performance or body building.
Medicines. Some (non birth control) medicines can stop your periods. Examples are meds for schizophrenia, anti-sickness (called metaclopramide) and strong opiate painkillers, such as morphine.

Home Urine Pregnancy Tests

Home urine pregnancy tests do not cost very much. They are easy to use. Most drugstores sell these tests. No prescription is needed.
Urine pregnancy tests are very accurate. They can turn positive as early as the first week after a missed period.
It is best to do the pregnancy test first thing in the morning. Reason: hormone levels are higher in the morning urine.
Sometimes, a home test is negative even if you think you might be pregnant. In this case, repeat the test. Do the repeat test in 3-5 days. You can also go to a doctor's office for testing.

When to Call for Menstrual Period - Missed or Late

When to Call for Menstrual Period - Missed or Late
Call 911 Now Fainted or too weak to stand Severe stomach or shoulder tip pain You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now You feel very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor During Office Hours Home pregnancy test is positive You want a pregnancy test done in the office Recent weight loss You had sexual intercourse (sex) within the last 3 months, even if a birth control method was used Recent breast swelling, weight gain or nausea Milk leaking from your breasts Have missed 2 or more periods and prior periods were regular You have hot flushes and are under age 45 years Intense exercise may be the cause of no periods You have not had a period for a year since stopping a hormonal contraceptive Cause is not clear You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Pregnancy suspected or possible Recent stress (such as starting at a new job, relationship or marriage break-up) causing late period Recently stopped a hormonal contraceptive (within the past year)

Call 911 Now

Fainted or too weak to stand
Severe stomach or shoulder tip pain
You think you have a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

You feel very sick
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Home pregnancy test is positive
You want a pregnancy test done in the office
Recent weight loss
You had sexual intercourse (sex) within the last 3 months, even if a birth control method was used
Recent breast swelling, weight gain or nausea
Milk leaking from your breasts
Have missed 2 or more periods and prior periods were regular
You have hot flushes and are under age 45 years
Intense exercise may be the cause of no periods
You have not had a period for a year since stopping a hormonal contraceptive
Cause is not clear
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Pregnancy suspected or possible
Recent stress (such as starting at a new job, relationship or marriage break-up) causing late period
Recently stopped a hormonal contraceptive (within the past year)

Care Advice

Pregnancy Suspected or Possible

What You Should Know About Late Periods if Having Sex:
- Menstrual periods stop when a woman becomes pregnant.
- A woman with a missed or late period should think about pregnancy.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Pregnancy Test, When in Doubt:
- If there is a chance that you might be pregnant, use a urine pregnancy test.
- You can buy a pregnancy test at any drugstore.
- It works best first thing in the morning.
- Follow all package instructions.
Call Your Doctor If:
- You have trouble with the home pregnancy test
- Pregnancy test is positive
- You miss 2 periods and pregnancy test is negative
- You develop any serious symptoms

Recent Stress Causing Late Period

What You Should Know about Stress and Late Menstrual Periods:
- Stress can disrupt normal menstrual cycles.
- Try to deal with stress by talking about it.
- Also, try to avoid or decrease stressors.
- Self-help or support groups may help you.
Call Your Doctor If:
- You miss 2 periods
- You need help coping with stress
- New symptoms suggest pregnancy (such as morning sickness)
- You have other questions

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Quick Links