Many women track their menstrual cycle, which is why it can be alarming when a period starts five or more days after it was expected. There could be different reasons for this irregularity, which is why you should let your gynecologist know as soon as possible. To prepare for the appointment, here is a brief guide to potential causes. 

What Are Some Potential Reasons for a Late Period?

1. Stress

Stress can affect both your mental and physical health. Before menstruation, your hypothalamus releases chemicals that prompt the pituitary gland to make ovaries release estrogen and progesterone. 

These hormones cause you to have a period. When you are stressed out, your body releases the hormone cortisol. Cortisol affects how the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries function. Your period could be late as a result. 

2. Birth Control

If you've recently stopped taking birth control, it could take a few months before periods become regular. That's because of the hormones in contraceptives. The progesterone thins the uterine lining to the point that a period cannot be induced. Based on the specific contraceptive you've taken, a gynecologist can shed more light on how long it might take for the uterine lining to thicken.

3. Weight Gain or Loss

Extreme weight fluctuations can cause hormone levels to drop, like when a woman's body-fat ratio is too low. That's because there's not enough estrogen and progesterone to trigger menstruation. When a woman's body-fat ratio is too high, the body will release too much estrogen. The imbalance can lead to a late period.

To protect your reproductive health, contact the gynecologists at Genesee Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology PC in Rochester, NY. The doctors specialize in obstetric and gynecological care services and will perform a thorough examination, pap smear, and lab testing to determine the cause of period irregularities. Read patient reviews on the clinic's website. Call (585) 232-3210 to schedule an appointment.