As you look at your calendar or charting app, you see that you should have had your period.

Missed periods can be incredibly stressful, especially if now is not the best time to be pregnant.

While for many women the first sign of a missed period is due to pregnancy, there are other reasons for a missed period. Generally speaking, your period is considered late if it has been at least 30 days since the start of your last menstrual cycle.

There are several medical conditions that could cause a missed period such as thyroid disease or PCOS. If you have one of these conditions or think you might consult your health care provider for guidance in this area. They can help you get to the root of the problem and get you the help you need.

If you have recently changed your lifestyle, that can be another cause for a missed period. Significant weight gain or loss, new stressors in your life, or starting a rigorous new exercise program could be a cause. If your lifestyle has recently changed, consider doing some stress-relieving exercises or taking a short walk each day.

The other main cause for a missed period is pregnancy. Once ovulation occurs, a woman usually starts her period about 14 days after ovulation if the egg has not been fertilized. If the egg has been fertilized, then the rising HCG level signals to your body to not shed the endometrial lining causing you to miss a period.

The only way to be certain is to take a pregnancy test.

If you are concerned that you might be pregnant, Wellspring offers no-cost pregnancy tests. Schedule your confidential appointment today. We are here to give accurate information in a non-judgmental way.

Some information in this article taken from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-late-can-a-period-be