LATE PERIOD? PLAYING THE WAITING GAME IS HARD

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER YOU'RE NOT ALONE

Variation in your cycle is totally normal. Even if you're usually like clockwork, there are a number of reasons why your period could be late – from pregnancy to stress, or sudden weight loss or gain. If you've recently had unprotected sex, or if there's a chance your contraception hasn't worked as it should, here are some things to consider.

OTHER CAUSES OF LATE PERIODS

There are many reasons other than pregnancy for your period to be late. Consider these factors, and consult your doctor or nurse if you think one or more apply to you:

STRESS

Periods can become longer, shorter, or stop altogether because of stress. If you think stress is the reason for a disrupted cycle, try some relaxation techniques and consult your doctor or nurse if your period doesn’t start.

EXERCISE

An extreme amount of exercise can disrupt the levels of hormones in your body that trigger a period. If you think your period has stopped because of your workout regime, consult your doctor or nurse.

WEIGHT LOSS OR GAIN

Sudden loss or gain of weight can disrupt the levels of hormones in your body that trigger a period. If your weight has changed suddenly, it’s worth checking in with your doctor or nurse.

USING LONG-ACTING CONTRACEPTION

If you are a user of long-acting contraception, this may have an impact on your bleeding pattern. For example, some methods may lead to shorter and lighter bleeding or could stop your periods altogether. This may be the reason for irregularities but is no cause for concern. In any case it is worth checking in with your doctor or nurse if you have questions.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

There are many reasons other than pregnancy for your period to be late. Consider these factors, and consult your doctor or nurse if you think one or more apply to you:

IF YOU'RE USUALLY REGULAR

If you know when your fertile time is, it’s easier to decide how likely it is that your period is late because you’re pregnant. You can take a pregnancy test as early as the first day of your late period, but it’s important to remember that early tests can be unreliable and a negative result is less reliable than a positive one.

IF YOUR CYCLE IS IRREGULAR

The earliest to take a pregnancy test is 3 weeks after you had unprotected or potentially unprotected sex. A negative result may not be accurate, so wait a week and take another test, or seek advice from your doctor or nurse.

IF YOU STILL HAVE CONCERNS

If you’re still getting negative pregnancy test results, consult your doctor or nurse for more advice.

ALTERNATIVE CONTRACEPTION METHODS

If your usual contraception recently let you down, if a late period has caused you concern, or if your current method doesn’t fit your lifestyle, consider these contraception methods:

THE IUS

A small, flexible T-shaped plastic frame that releases low levels of hormones. It is placed in your womb by a doctor.

View Method

THE IUD

A small, T-shaped plastic frame with a copper wire that is placed in your womb by a doctor.

View Method

THE IMPLANT

A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones. It is placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor.

View Method

THE INJECTION

A shot containing progestin that is effective for up to three months. It is administered by a doctor.

View Method
COMPARE METHODS

WHEN YOUR PERIOD DOES ARRIVE,
IS IT HEAVY?

Find out if you might have heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and learn about its causes and treatments.

LEARN IF YOU HAVE HMB

NEED ADVICE?

Get ready to speak to a doctor or nurse. Use a 3-step guide to prepare for your next doctor’s appointment.

START PREPARING
START PREPARING

Is It Okay?

CONSIDER THIS

Withdrawal has a huge capacity for human error. As some sperm can be released before orgasm, the withdrawal method should only be considered if you’re comfortable with the risk of conceiving. It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

LEARN MORE

CONSIDER THIS

The pill should be taken at the same time every day – a missed birth control pill can compromise your protection from unplanned pregnancy. If taking the pill at the same time every day doesn’t suit your lifestyle, it might be worth exploring other contraceptive methods.   

USE MISSED BIRTH CONTROL PILL TOOL

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

THE
IUS

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 6 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

Image of an IUS

THE
IUD

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

Image of an IUD

THE
IMPLANT

A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a prescription and placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse.

Image of the Implant

THE
PILL

A small tablet containing one hormone, or a combined pill containing two hormones, that is self-administered with a prescription and needs to be swallowed at the same time each day.

Image of birth control pills

THE
INJECTION

A shot containing hormone(s) that is given with a prescription and administered by a doctor or nurse every 1 or 3 months.

Image of an Injection

THE
PATCH

A small, thin, skin-colored plastic square that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. It is given with a prescription and can be self-administered once a week.

Image of the Patch

THE
DI­APHRAGM

A silicone cup placed in the vagina that prevents sperm from reaching the womb. Though some are fitted by a doctor or nurse, most are self-administered with a prescription up to 24 hours before sex.

Image of a Diaphragm

THE
RING

A small, flexible ring that is self-administered with a prescription and placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3 weeks.

Image of a Ring

THE
FEMALE CONDOM

An internal condom that works in the same way male condoms do, though it is placed in the vagina. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Image of Female Condom

THE
MALE CONDOM

A sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the vagina, it is also the only method that helps lower the risk of STIs. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Image of a Male Condom

THE
SPONGE

A small, round piece of foam with a nylon loop that is placed in the vagina right before intercourse. It is bought over the counter and is self-administered.

Image of a Sponge

NATURAL
PLANNING

Self-directed methods of avoiding pregnancy that include menstrual cycle tracking and body temperature measurements to identify fertile days.

Natural Planning

SPERMICIDE

Creams, films, foams, gels and suppositories that contain chemicals to stop or kill sperm. These are bought over the counter and are self-administered.

Image of spermicide

WITHDRAWAL

Also known as ‘the pull-out method’, this self-directed method involves withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation to avoid pregnancy.

Image of a timer for the withdrawal method

MALE
STERILIZATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the tubes carrying sperm.

Icon representing male sterilization

FEMALE
STERILIZATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the fallopian tubes and removes the possibility of pregnancy.

Icon representing female sterilization
COMPARE METHODS

CAN YOU RELATE?

MyContraception-Woman

You For­got The Pill

MyContraception-Woman

Your Con­dom Broke

MyContraception-Woman

You Need Emer­gency Con­tra­cep­tion

SHARE

Alt tag Alt tag
Alt tag Alt tag

© 2020 Bayer AG. All rights reserved

Last updated on 20/02/2020

This website is intended to provide information to an international audience outside of the US. All pictures used in this website show models only.

  • PP-PF-WHC-ALL-0025-1,
  • PP-PF-WHC-ALL-0052-2,
  • PP-PF-WHC-ALL-0010-2