We may hate having Aunt Flo visit for a few days but what we hate even more, the anticipation of a delayed visit from her. Your period is late, but you haven’t had sex so where the hell is it? Even worse, you’re on the pill so you know exactly when it should be coming, and it still doesn’t come.
Of course the first thought to pop into any woman’s head is Am i pregnant? but when you already know the answer then you’re kind of left stumped.
We should spend less time worrying about how late we might be, and more time focusing on our bodies since that is what dictates when our flow comes.
There are a lot of factors that go into controlling your period and we should be educated on those so the next time we are late, we know why.
Here are some reasons why your period might be late and not because of sex.
Stress
Stress, stress, stress; maybe the most popular word among young adult women. Whether its finals week, a fight with your best friend or family problems, it creeps up on you and it downright sucks.
Mix that with some anxiety, a few sad days and mood swings and you got a wrecking ball of emotions. However, stress can make your period come late or irregular.
You know the saying, “Don’t worry about it. Don’t think about it, it will make it worse.” It turns out that is 100% true. The more you worry (stress) the higher the chance it can affect your period.
#SpoonTip: Check out this article on ways to destress.
Excessive Exercise
Regular exercise is healthy for your body especially during your period, it can help relieve cramps and back pain. On the downside, over exercising can not only lead to spotting in between periods, but can make you skip it all together.
This might sound like happy news (yay! no mess this month) but the continuation of missing your period could lead to amenorrhea or “the absence of a period.” This could lead to potential fertility issues.
#SpoonTip: Try yoga, walking, swimming or cycling to help relieve cramps and aches.
Weight Gain
Gaining, or losing, weight can have a heavy impact on your hormones and period. For example, gaining weight causes your body to produce extra testosterone according to Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine.
It doesn’t help that leading up to it and the week of, we crave greasy food, chocolate, or basically anything-you name it we will eat it.
Having a balanced diet is important but it isn’t easy with a busy schedule. Check out this article to read more on creating a balanced diet to avoid having this influence a late period.
Smoking
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have found that women who smoke experience worse PMS symptoms than those that don’t. Those who smoke can also have smaller and irregular periods.
Did you know you could use your menstrual cycle to help you quit smoking? Women quitting between days 1-14 have not as severe withdrawal symptoms as those who quit after the first 14 days.
So stop worrying-although let’s be real, you still will be. I’m with you girl. It’s nerve-racking waiting for it to strike and until it does, it’s one long waiting game.
But, you know you aren’t pregnant and it is probably one of things listed above. Deep breathes ladies, we got this.