Delayed Menstruation: What to Do When Your Period is Late

Menstruation is delayed by 14 days?

Hello, Dr.
Huang! My menstrual cycle has been normal, sometimes arriving a day late.
The flow is also normal; my last period was from September 24 to September 30.
I had unprotected intercourse, and only during the last 1-2 days of my period did ejaculation occur; the rest were external.
My phone app indicates that my period should have arrived on October 22, and this is the first time it has been this late.
It is now November 3, and I still haven't gotten my period.
My breasts are very swollen and painful, and I occasionally experience sharp abdominal pains.
For the past three to four days, I have also had diarrhea and burping.
On November 1, when I first bought a pregnancy test, I was eager to check at home, but it only showed one line.
On November 3, in the evening, I took my temperature, which was 37 degrees Celsius, and it has been between 36.7 and 37 degrees Celsius these past few days.
I have been sleeping in short sleeves, and I still have abdominal cramps and breast pain, along with burping.
I decided to take another test on the morning of November 4, but it still showed only one line.
Today, I noticed a pimple on my chin.
Should I wait and see?

Yúyú, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/11/04

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

My menstrual cycle has been normal, sometimes arriving a day late.
The flow is also normal; my last period was from September 24 to September 30.
I had unprotected intercourse, and I only ejaculated during the last 1-2 days of my period.
The rest of the time, it was external ejaculation.
My phone app indicates that my period should have arrived on October 22, and this is the first time it has been this late.
It is now November 3, and I still haven't gotten my period.
My breasts feel very swollen and painful, and I occasionally experience sharp abdominal pains.
For the past three to four days, I've also had diarrhea and burping.
On November 1, when I first bought a pregnancy test, I was eager to check at home, but it showed only one line.
On November 3, in the evening, I took my temperature, which was 37 degrees Celsius, and it has been fluctuating between 36.7 and 37 degrees.
I've been sleeping in short sleeves, and my abdomen continues to have sharp pains, along with breast tenderness and burping.
I decided to take another test on the morning of November 4, and it still showed only one line.
However, today I developed a pimple on my chin.
Should I wait and see?
Answer: My last period was from September 24 to September 30.
I tested on November 1 and got one line, and I tested again on November 4 with the same result.
You can wait and see.

Reply Date: 2017/11/04

More Info

When it comes to delayed menstruation, it can be a source of anxiety and concern for many individuals. Your situation, where your period is late and you are experiencing symptoms such as breast tenderness, abdominal cramps, and gastrointestinal issues, is not uncommon. Let's break down the potential causes and what steps you can take.

Firstly, it’s important to recognize that menstrual cycles can be influenced by a variety of factors. Stress, changes in weight, hormonal imbalances, and even lifestyle changes can all affect the regularity of your cycle. Given that you mentioned having regular periods previously, a delay could be attributed to one of these factors.
In your case, you noted that you have had unprotected sexual intercourse, which raises the question of pregnancy. The fact that you have taken a pregnancy test and received a negative result is a good first step. However, it’s worth noting that pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken after a missed period, and they can sometimes yield false negatives, especially if taken too early. If your period does not arrive soon, it may be advisable to take another test a few days later or consult with a healthcare provider for a blood test, which can detect pregnancy earlier than a home test.

The symptoms you are experiencing, such as breast tenderness and abdominal cramps, can also be indicative of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or other hormonal fluctuations. It’s not uncommon for women to experience these symptoms even when their period is delayed. Additionally, gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and increased burping can sometimes be linked to stress or anxiety, which can also impact menstrual cycles.

Given that your period is now significantly late, it would be prudent to monitor your symptoms closely. If you continue to experience discomfort or if your period does not arrive within a week, I recommend scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can perform a thorough evaluation, which may include a pelvic exam, blood tests to check hormone levels, and possibly an ultrasound if necessary.

In the meantime, here are some general tips to help manage your symptoms and overall well-being:
1. Stay Hydrated: Ensure you are drinking enough water, especially if you are experiencing gastrointestinal issues.

2. Manage Stress: Engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation. Stress can significantly impact your menstrual cycle.

3. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help regulate your body’s functions.

4. Track Your Cycle: Continue using your app to track your menstrual cycle and any symptoms you experience. This information can be helpful for your healthcare provider.

5. Avoid Self-Diagnosis: While it’s natural to seek answers online, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

In conclusion, while a delayed period can be concerning, it is often due to a variety of factors, and there are steps you can take to address your symptoms. Keep monitoring your body, and don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if your situation does not improve. Your health and peace of mind are paramount.

Similar Q&A

Why Is My Period Late? Understanding Delayed Menstruation

My menstrual period is 20 days late. During these 20 days, I have taken a pregnancy test, but it was negative. I also received a medication to induce menstruation, but it has been 3 days and my period still hasn't started. What should I do?

Dr. Wang Jionglang reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
The menstrual cycle of young women is related to nutrition, lifestyle, and work stress. Aside from pregnancy, a delayed period is usually due to abnormal ovulation function. Based on your situation, after confirming that you are not pregnant, you can receive another injection to ...

Understanding Menstrual Delays: What to Do If Your Period Is Late

If my menstrual cycle hasn't come and I haven't taken any medication to induce it, besides waiting for my period to arrive, could there be other issues? Also, since my last period was on March 27 and hasn't come since, and I've taken a pregnancy test that came...

Dr. Mao Yikun reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello: If your period is late and you are not pregnant, it could be due to hormonal issues or other problems. It is recommended that you visit a gynecologist for an examination. Remember to use contraception, as pregnancy is always a possibility when your period is late.

Understanding Delayed Menstruation: What to Do When Your Period is Late

Three months ago, I had intimate contact with my boyfriend, but when I previously asked about the chances of pregnancy, you said the likelihood was low. I had my period in June and July, and since that intimate encounter three months ago, we haven't been intimate again. Howe...

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Three months ago, I had intimate contact with my boyfriend, but when I previously asked about the chances of pregnancy, you said the likelihood was low. I had my period in June and July, and we haven't been intimate since that encounter. However, my period in August is now 7...

Understanding Menstrual Irregularities: What to Do When Your Period is Late

Hello doctor, I had my period last month, but this month I haven't had any sexual intercourse and my period is already four days late. If it doesn't come after today, it will be five days late. What should I do? My cycle has been 33 to 34 days. I'm not sure if the ...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the factors that can affect the menstrual cycle are numerous, including age, environment, lifestyle, stress, emotional instability, weight changes, medications, emergency contraceptive pills, diet, polycystic ovary syndrome, lesions of the uterus or cervix, infections, ovu...