A045 7 Reasons for a Late Period

A045 Why is my period late? 10 Reasons for a Late Period

Why is my period late? This is a question that can keep many women awake at night. A period can appear a few days after the planned date for a completely different reason. If it happens occasionally, it does not necessarily mean there is a reason to worry. If your menstrual cycles are becoming increasingly irregular and the intervals between bleeds are getting longer, you should consult your doctor.

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Menstrual cramps occur when the lining of the uterus, which has built up in preparation for pregnancy, needs to flake off and leave the body. For this to happen, the uterine muscles alternately contract and relax. These contractions can in turn cause crampy menstrual pains. Not everyone experiences these. Some feel only slight discomfort, while others experience pain in the lower abdomen or sharp pain radiating to the legs and back. Other symptoms that may accompany menstrual pain include:<br/>
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhoea.
<br/>
However, it is important to remember that although menstrual pain is common, acute pain caused by these cramps is not. You should consult your doctor if you have acute pain, if it impedes your daily functioning or if it intensifies over time. These symptoms may suggest that there are other factors behind what appears to be normal, expected menstrual pain.

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You might also want to start wearing an [Always Dailies](/en-gb/feminine-products/panty-liners/) pantyliner in the run up to your period so you don’t get caught off guard when it arrives.

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There are six main energy-draining culprits that lead to PMS fatigue.

- Hormonal fluctuations – Oestrogen usually acts as a stimulant, but its levels drop significantly after you ovulate, depriving you of its energy. At the same time, your levels of feel-good serotonin also dip, leaving you without its mood-boosting effects as well. Meanwhile, the calming effects of progesterone begin to kick in, which makes you feel more mellow.

- Energy burning – When you ovulate, your body temperature rises and your body starts burning more energy in preparation for pregnancy. For the next few days, your basal metabolic rate can go up by 9 percent, draining your energy. This all adds up to making you feel more tired.

- Anaemia – If your periods are heavy, you lose a lot of blood, which could lead to an iron deficiency in your red blood cells. This makes it difficult for your tissues to get the oxygen they need, meaning your cells need to work harder to function normally.

- Giving in to other symptoms – You’re sore and you’re hungry. You’re not sleeping well and you feel bloated. It’s no wonder you’re not jumping for joy. All these factors may stop you from exercising, which would make you feel rejuvenated. It is hard to get motivated when faced with these factors.

- Cravings – Your fluctuating hormones may have convinced you to binge on chocolate or other sugary foods, triggering a sugar high that is followed by a crash. This cycle can repeat itself unless you recognise it and actively switch to healthier alternatives.

- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – If you are experiencing severe emotional lows, this acute form of PMS may be to blame. In addition to physical symptoms, you may find yourself crying, lashing out at others, feeling out of control or losing interest in things that used to bring you joy. If this happens monthly, you should see a doctor.

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As long as your discharge is not itchy, smelly, or greenish-brown coloured, it is perfectly normal. Signs to look out for are cramping, pelvic pain or bleeding during sex, spots, weight gain, fever, or – as mentioned earlier – strange smells. This may indicate an underlying medical condition or serious hormonal imbalance that requires treatment.

These include things such as ovarian cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, and cervical cancer (infection should be in this list as would be most common). These are rarely the cause, and they are often accompanied by other symptoms, so please don’t worry, but it is always worth getting the opinion of a medical professional.

A101 - T03 - When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

When Should I Be Concerned About Brown Discharge?

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Should I Be Worried About Brown Discharge?

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Put quite straightforwardly, brown discharge is caused by bits of blood getting caught up in your discharge, leaving your body. Here is a list of possible reasons why you might be experiencing brown discharge every once in a while:

- __You Have Just Finished Your Period__ Thick brown discharge is often a sign that your body is cleaning itself by flushing out residual blood from your period. Bits may come out with your discharge in the days after you think your period has ended. Older blood tends to turn more brownish. You might see this during your period when the blood is a bright red in the first few days and becomes browner a few days in. See this as a positive thing, as it means that your body is doing a good job of keeping clean.

- __You Are About To Ovulate__ Brown sticky discharge can also occur due to the hormonal changes your body experiences during ovulation. Oestrogen levels rise, prompting your body to release an egg from your ovaries, so the change in discharge texture is completely normal.

- __It’s Not You, It’s Your Birth Control__ Random brown discharge can be your body’s reaction to a new birth control pill or you might have forgotten to take your pill for a few days recently. This is thanks to the hormonal changes, and the spotting should stop as your body adjusts. If you have forgotten to take your birth control pill it’s important to start taking it as soon as possible and consider emergency contraception if you have had intercourse.

- __Your Cervix is Irritated__ The cervix is fairly sensitive, so anything from a slightly careless pelvic examination to vigorous bedroom antics can be causes of brown discharge.

- __You Are Stressed or Depressed__ Stress and depression can cause the lining of the uterus to thin, and parts of it to come away at unexpected times. Try to identify and remove the cause of stress from your life. Take some time out to relax or, if it feels more serious, see a doctor about the way you are feeling. With the right self-care and support, this brown discharge should clear up.

A101 - T01 - What Causes Brown Discharge?

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The menstrual cycle is affected by various diseases:

- thyroid diseases,
- pituitary tumours,
- adrenal diseases,
- ovarian cysts,
- liver dysfunction,
- coeliac disease,
- diabetes.

A045 - T04 - SUB08 -  Diseases

8. Diseases

Maybe you made a mistake counting the days since your last period, so you think why is my period delayed, when in fact, it’s right on schedule.

The average [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/period-hub/first-period-and-puberty/menstrual-cycle-phases) is 28 days. But most women’s cycles are slightly longer or shorter than this. If your period is just two days late, it may be a result of normal cycle fluctuations from month to month.

Many women have slightly irregular cycles with one month being on, say, a 27-day cycle and the following month a 29-day one. This means that if the previous month’s period came “early”, the next month may seem like it’s “late.” It happens to the best of us.

A045 - T04 - SUB02 -  Miscalculation or normal fluctuation?

2.  Miscalculation or normal fluctuation?

One common cause of late periods is [Polycystic Ovary Syndrome](/en-gb/period-hub/symptoms-explained/ovarian-cysts-causes-treatment-and-prevention/), aka PCOS, a condition that many women and girls experience.

This is when multiple follicular cysts form on the ovaries. These cysts contain eggs. PCOS is associated with hormonal disruption, which means the eggs may not be released, resulting in delayed, infrequent or absent periods.

PCOS is very common, and often the symptoms of PCOS can be managed with medication. Ask your doctor if you’re concerned.

A045 - T04 - SUB06 - PCOS

6. PCOS

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Every woman at some point in her life experiences crampy menstrual pains. And how to get reduce period pain and cramps? You can start with warm compresses!

A015 How to get rid of period pain and cramps

How to get reduce period pain and cramps

If there’s a silver lining to getting period cramps, it’s that they often start a day or two before your period.

This gives you a nice (if uncomfortable!) heads up that your period is on its way, and enough time to check if your supply of pads and tampons is fully replenished from last month’s period.

You can also start wearing pantyliners to catch that first bit of period blood when it starts.

A015 - Get prepared

Get prepared


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Many women already feel tired on the average day, stretched by various demands of family, school, work and social networking. However, if you are feeling even more worn down in the week before your period, it’s time to look at possible remedies for premenstrual fatigue. 

In the days leading up to your period, your feel-good hormones take a holiday. This happens just as your body needs them to provide the energy to power through the cravings, the loss of blood and the other transitions occurring at this time of the month. 

You can combat PMS fatigue by committing to some healthy habits.

A149-T01-Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies

Why Are You Tired Before Your Period? Causes and Remedies

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## When to see your doctor

For the above reasons, one could conclude that a late period does not mean anything bad. In fact, in some cases it is perfectly normal. However, it is worthwhile in all cases to seek medical advice. Particularly if your period delay is repeated every month or if you have not had your period for two months. Rarely it can be a symptom of a serious illness, such as cancer or diseases of the reproductive system. Also, don't delay seeing your doctor if you have other complaints: severe pain, excessive hair loss, vaginal spotting, acne (which you cannot control), being overweight or underweight.

## What to do if your period is late

Always be prepared!

No one wants to toss their knickers in the bin because they’ve got a period stain on them.

Knowing how to prepare, especially if your period is late or irregular, is key. Wear an

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A045 - When to see your doctor -Conculsion Text

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Can PMS cause fatigue? If you're feeling tired before your period, click here to learn what you can do about this!

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Vaginal Discharge

While white-coloured discharge is totally normal, texture-wise it should be the same all the way through, without lumps – whether it is sticky, gooey, thin, elastic or thick. This alternative version with clumps in it is not so great, and is very rarely going to be a positive discovery. 

The closest thing we can compare it to is cottage cheese (and we’re so sorry if this puts you off your favourite jacket potato topping for life!) But if what you see in your underwear, or on the toilet paper when wiping after a trip to the loo, is thick curd-like discharge with white chunks in it, then that is what we are talking about here.

Other signs that you may have it include itching in the area, or some pain or swelling, and stinging during sex or having a wee. You might also notice a yeasty sort of smell in your underwear.

A128-T01- How To Recognize Yeast Infection Discharge?

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Find helpful resources about periods categorised into subtopics. Get informed with expert insights, navigate your period journey with confidence.

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A typical [menstrual cycle](/en-gb/period-hub/menstrual-cycle/menstrual-cycle-phases/) is 28 days. This means that most people will get their period about every 28 days. In reality, that 28 number actually varies from girl to girl. A normal cycle can be anywhere between 21 and 35 days.

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Pregnancy mucus at the beginning of pregnancy is a purely physiological symptom. Discharge during early pregnancy occur very frequently and plays an extremely important role, as it forms a special protective barrier for both the foetus and the mother, protecting the reproductive tract from infection. Normal mucus at the beginning of pregnancy is transparent or slightly tinged white or yellow. It can be tractable or thinned. In addition, a mucus plug is formed at the beginning of pregnancy, which passes away before the birth.

__1. Chances are your vaginal discharge will get heavier during pregnancy__
The majority of women will find they experience an increase in thin, milky white, or clear discharge during pregnancy, which is perfectly normal. 

This is because it is even more important to your body than usual, to prevent any infection travelling up your vagina to your womb – and to the baby. This discharge acts as a barrier supporting good vaginal health, while maintaining the PH balance within.

__2. Don’t be concerned when the vaginal mucus plug appears!__ 
Your body creates something called a pregnancy mucus plug to seal off the cervix and prevent bacteria from getting in. This stays in place until your baby is due. It looks like a big lump of jelly-ish, thick discharge in pregnancy, sometimes with streaks of blood in it. It can be quite disconcerting to have this mucus plug pop out, but it is a sign that your cervix is starting to open, and you may soon be going into labour! Assuming you are nearing full term, the appearance of the mucus plug – or ‘show’ as it is also known – is nothing to worry about. Otherwise check with your doctor.

__3. Clear watery discharge during pregnancy is generally nothing to worry about__
The texture of discharge can vary from person to person, and watery clear vaginal discharge in pregnancy is normally fine. It can occasionally be a sign of an STI though, so if you have any signs such as unpleasant or strange smells, or itchiness or pain in the area, it is worth getting it checked out by your doctor.

__4.  Thrush is quite common in pregnancy – but won’t harm you or your baby__
Pregnancy hormones affect the pH in your vagina, making your more prone to yeast infections. But thrush is more a problem just for being unpleasant to deal with, so it is worth knowing the signs so you can deal with it ASAP. If you notice a yeasty smell, stinging pain when you go to the toilet, or thick white cottage cheese discharge during pregnancy, these all point to thrush. It is worth mentioning to your doctor. He or she will give you treatment – generally in the form of a tablet or cream – to clear up the infection.

__5. Always pantyliners can help you feel fresh all day everyday__
If the increase in discharge is causing you discomfort it is worth investing in a pack of Always Dailies pantyliners. Wearing them on a daily basis can soak up excess liquid, and keep you feeling dry and fresh. They are dermatologically tested and safe to be worn daily. That way you can focus on more important things – like enjoying your pregnancy!


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