My period is always late

A cycle is late when bleeding has not started by the time you expected it. Ovulation may have happened later than usual, or may not have happened in that cycle. Pregnancy is one possibility if sperm exposure occurred. Other explanations include major stress, disrupted sleep, substantial changes in exercise or body weight, thyroid problems, and hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Around perimenopause, timing can become less predictable.

Record the first day of each bleed, spotting, pain, medicines, and pregnancy risk. Take a pregnancy test if pregnancy is possible, following the test instructions and repeating it if advised. Arrange a medical review when late cycles keep recurring, become much longer, or stop altogether. A clinician may ask about symptoms and consider tests for pregnancy, thyroid function, or hormone changes.

Seek urgent help for severe or one-sided pelvic pain, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, or heavy bleeding with weakness, especially when pregnancy is possible. Contact a clinician promptly for new persistent headaches, vision changes, milky nipple discharge, or hot flushes with missed periods. These symptoms need assessment rather than a guess based on cycle timing.

Ask whether your pattern fits a late ovulation problem, what testing is appropriate, and how to protect the womb lining if periods remain very infrequent. Mention acne, excess facial hair, hot flushes, new medicines, or recent changes in weight, sleep, stress, or exercise.