Late period: am I necessarily pregnant?

Were you expecting your period but it didn't arrive on the expected day? Are you wondering if you're pregnant? While pregnancy can indeed be the cause of your missed period, there are other factors that can disrupt or block your menstrual cycle. Here's a quick overview of the most common reasons, related to your physical condition, emotional state, age, etc.

If you are only one or two days late, and even if your cycle is usually fairly regular, we cannot really talk about a "late period." You may have ovulated a little later in your cycle, for example, which causes a shift in your period. A late period is considered to be a period that is 3 to 5 days late compared to the estimated date. If you have had unprotected sex and you have doubts about a possible pregnancy, it is also recommended to wait about 5 days before taking a pregnancy test, to avoid "false negatives." Indeed, pregnancy tests detect the level of the hCG hormone in the urine, which is secreted as soon as the egg implants in the uterus. If you take the test too early, your hCG hormone level may still be too low to be detected by the test, even though you are still pregnant.

Why don't you get your period if you're pregnant? During your menstrual cycle, if the egg hasn't been fertilized by a sperm, the corpus luteum, which forms during the luteal phase of the cycle, that is, after ovulation, stops producing progesterone and degenerates. The small blood vessels in the uterine lining contract to expel the surface layer of the endometrium, and the excess stored blood is evacuated: this is your period. On the other hand, if the egg has been fertilized, the corpus luteum remains present and secretes the hormone hCG. The uterine lining maintains itself to accommodate the fertilized egg, and you don't get your period. This absence of periods, called amenorrhea, can be accompanied by other symptoms, from the first days of hormonal impregnation: swollen and painful breasts, darker nipples, fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, irritability... It is important to emphasize that in some women, the implantation of the egg in the uterus can cause some bleeding, which can be confused with menstruation.

Here are some factors that can play a role in your menstrual cycle:

If you're struggling with eating disorders (especially anorexia) or have recently lost a lot of weight, you may miss your period. If you're overweight and/or obese, you may also experience disruptions to your cycle.

During adolescence, after pregnancy, during breastfeeding or during premenopause, periods may become irregular.

Female athletes who practice sport at a high level, intensively, often experience problems with their cycles. (The newspaper L'Equipe also produced an interesting report on the taboo of periods in high-level sport , where it was precisely mentioned the amenorrhea of ​​sportswomen).

A period of intense stress, an emotional shock (loss of a loved one, etc.) or a major change in your life (moving, new job, etc.) can have an impact on your menstruation.

Thyroid problems, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis… There are many medical causes that can explain “capricious” periods.

Antidepressants, cancer treatments, etc. can affect the cycle and cause an absence of periods.

After stopping the birth control pill, it may take a few months for your cycle to return to a regular rhythm, as your ovaries were put on hold while you were on the pill. While the copper IUD tends to increase the volume of your period, the hormonal IUD often causes light or no periods at all.

While a late period isn't "abnormal," don't hesitate to consult your doctor and/or gynecologist if you experience significant pain during your period and/or if your period doesn't return after several weeks, even though you're not pregnant. Don't hesitate to check out the store if you're looking for protection.