What should you know about late period and heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone caused when stomach contents move up into the oesophagus. It may worsen after a large meal, when lying down, or with certain foods and medicines. A late period can follow stress, illness, changing weight, hormonal contraception, altered ovulation or pregnancy. Pregnancy can make reflux more noticeable, but heartburn alone cannot confirm pregnancy.

A missed period commonly presents as delayed or absent bleeding. Perimenopause and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can also affect cycle timing, while heartburn may have an entirely separate digestive cause.

If pregnancy is possible, take a home pregnancy test and follow its instructions. For heartburn, try smaller meals, remain upright after eating, avoid eating close to bedtime, and identify foods that trigger symptoms. Raise the upper body during sleep if advised, and ask a pharmacist or clinician before using an antacid if you are pregnant or take other medicines.

Arrange a review if heartburn is frequent, worsening, or associated with difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss or ongoing abdominal pain. Discuss the late period separately, including contraception and cycle history. Read more about Missed Period, Perimenopause and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Get emergency help for chest pressure or pain with sweating, breathlessness, faintness or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back. Seek prompt care for vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, fainting, or a positive pregnancy test with pelvic pain or bleeding. These features need assessment rather than self-treatment for reflux.

Ask whether you need a pregnancy test, a review of medicines, or treatment for reflux. Explain when the burning occurs, what makes it worse, how late the period is, and whether you have pain, bleeding, vomiting or trouble swallowing.