Why is my period late? Here's why you might have missed your period, and what to do next.

You could ignore it for a few days, but now your period is five or more days late, and you’re starting to get nervous — why is my period late?! Take a deep breath, and let’s go through this checklist together:

Double-check when your period was due.

Discovering that your period is late can be a little scary but take a deep breath—it’s more common than you might think, and there are many reasons why it could be delayed. Before you start worrying, let’s begin by double-checking when your period was actually due.

Check your period tracker app: If you use a period tracker app, now’s the time to consult it, if not, here are some great options to consider.

Use special occasions and holidays to remember: If you don’t have it marked down, try to think back to when you had your last period. A trick we like to use is thinking back to a holiday or special occasion and working from there, especially if your periods aren’t regular.

Consider taking a home pregnancy test.

If you’ve had unprotected sex or are concerned about birth control failure, taking a home pregnancy test can provide clarity. Home pregnancy tests are most reliable when taken at least 10–14 days. A negative test is definitive at 21 days after unprotected sex. Affordable tests are available at most drugstores and even dollar stores—they’re just as effective as pricier versions. We have a helpful guide to help you determine how soon you should take a pregnancy test after unprotected sex.

Make sure to read and follow the directions about how to take the test and when to read the results. After a negative test if your period is still late or you are concerned about possible symptoms of pregnancy, repeat the test about a week later or after 21 days since you last had sex.

What are some reasons for a late period with a negative test?

If your period is only three to eight days late, and your test is negative, it might just be – late! There are several reasons for a late period, other than pregnancy, that might cause a delay.

• Stress is one of the most common culprits. Whether it’s emotional stress from personal circumstances or physical stress from illness, your body can respond by altering your hormonal balance, which may delay your period or even mimic pregnancy symptoms. If you are really stressed out about a possible pregnancy despite several negative tests, this resource may be helpful.

• Taking a pregnancy test too early: Taking a home pregnancy test too soon can give a false negative result. A test that is negative when taken at least 21 days after unprotected sex is a result you can trust.

• Significant weight changes can impact your menstrual cycle. Rapid weight loss or gain affects the production of hormones that regulate your period. If you’ve started a new diet or noticed changes in your weight, this could be influencing your cycle.

• An increase in physical activity is another factor. Starting a new workout routine or intensifying your exercises can put additional strain on your body. While exercise is beneficial, sudden changes can disrupt your hormonal balance temporarily.

• Changes in your routine can also impact your period. Traveling, especially across time zones, or altering your sleep patterns can affect your body’s internal clock, including your menstrual cycle. Even small shifts in your daily habits can have an impact.

• Starting new medications might also be a reason for a late period. Certain prescriptions like starting hormonal contraception, or taking Emergency Contraception like Plan B, can influence your cycle’s regularity. If you’ve begun any other new medication recently, it might be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

• Other medical conditions, such as chronic illnesses, hormonal imbalances, perimenopause symptoms, or even just a severe cold can temporarily disrupt your cycle.

You’re not alone, and it’s okay to feel concerned. Our bodies are sensitive to many different influences, it can be a very anxious time. Remember, you have options.

If you are pregnant, but don’t want to be, remember that support is available every step of the way. carafem offers online abortion care in more than 15 states and in-office care in three locations. We go the extra mile to offer the most supportive online abortion care with a helpful virtual assistant to accompany you every step of the way.

If you choose to continue your pregnancy, then you most likely won’t get your period back until about six weeks after you give birth. Factors that impact the return of your period after birth include things like stress, whether you’re breastfeeding or not, and if you start using hormonal birth control.

So there you have it – how to find your period when it goes missing!