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My period is a bit late - stress or pregnancy?

By January 21, 2015 - 11:41pm
 
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I know it may be a bit too early to really stress much about this, but I'm a couple days late with my period and it's been driving me crazy. My previous period lasted 5 days, one of those days in between it had disappeared the whole day (I had unprotected sex on that day as well). I also had sex a week or so later again with my boyfriend but this time we used protection. The flow was heavy and seemed like a regular period so I don't believe it was spotting, but even then I'm worried something could have happened the day we did have unprotected sex. My period is usually only about 5-6 days long and on average 32 days per cycle (I started using a tracker app for the past four cycles), and the previous cycle lasted 34 days - a bit longer than usual. I know that stress can cause a late period and I have been stressed lately, also on the day I'm supposed to start ovulating I began doing overnight volunteer work for about a week which completely turned my sleep schedule around. I also started my next semester of college this previous Monday. (I only bring this up because I read changes in routine can affect your cycle.) my period was due on the 19th of this month and I may just be stressing for no reason which in turn could just be making this worse but I wanted a few opinions. Obviously, I know that the only way to know for sure would be to take a pregnancy test but I haven't been able to get around to it with my schedule so far (limited transportation, and living with family - don't really feel like being asked questions). If someone could share their opinion it would be greatly appreciated.

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Guide

Hello epicskorky,

Welcome to the EmpowHER community. Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns.

I think stress and a change in your daily routine are most likely causing your period to be late. High cortisol levels, produced during periods of stress, especially during ovulation, can lead to a late or missed period.

There was no risk for conception on the day your menstrual flow stopped because you would not have been ovulating.

Again, no risk for conception a week or so later because you used protection and with a 32 day cycle still a bit early for ovulation.

Regards,
Maryann

January 22, 2015 - 9:56am

Also to clarify, I only brought up the spotting of the previous period because we were worried before that one and I don't know if maybe it could have happened a month ago, and the "period" was spotting (reason for being a bit late and stopping completely in the middle and starting again) - but it seemed like a regular flow.

January 21, 2015 - 11:44pm
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