Can stress delay your period?

A late period can cause concern, as the most common cause for a late or missed period is pregnancy. However, there are a number of other factors that can contribute.

Can stress delay your period?

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but this can vary between 21 and 35 days. It can differ a little from one period to another so it’s generally not considered a late period until after 5 days.

If you’ve had a late period then you may be wondering why, and stress is a very common cause. Stress triggers the release of cortisol (also known as the “stress hormone”), which can interfere with your hormone balance.

Given that hormones play a vital role in ovulation and menstruation, it’s unsurprising that a spike in stress can have an impact on your period. Stress can not only delay your period, but it can also bring it forward or cause breakthrough bleeding.

Occasional stress is to be expected - as is the occasional late period. But if you’re consistently experiencing stress then you may wish to look for a treatment, such as Passionflower, which is a traditional herbal remedy used to alleviate stress and its symptoms. Similarly, if your late periods are happening often, you may wish to speak to your doctor.

Can I delay my period?

Often late periods can spark worry but sometimes, an on-time period can be even more inconvenient. If you have an important event coming up such as a holiday, work presentation or wedding then it’s likely you’ll want to delay your period yourself.

If you’re not on regular contraception then Norethisterone can delay your period for up to 17 days! This hormone tablet is designed to be taken once a day, starting 3 days before your period is due, and then continuing for however long you want to delay by (up to a maximum of 20 days of tablets in total). 

Your period will usually start 2 or 3 days after you stop taking Norethisterone. You can buy Norethisterone from UK Meds without an existing prescription and have it delivered to your door.

How to regulate your periods

If you don’t want to delay one period so much as you want to try and regulate all of them, then you may benefit from the contraceptive pill. Contraceptive pills not only provide effective protection against pregnancy, but they can also make periods lighter, less painful and more regular.

There are two different kinds of contraceptive pill; the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill (or “mini pill”). The combined pill contains both oestrogen and progestogen, while the mini pill works without oestrogen and is suitable for those who are breastfeeding or who can’t tolerate oestrogen.

Again, you can purchase the contraceptive pill from UK Meds by filling in an online consultation, which will be reviewed by a prescriber.