A late period can cause concern. You worry if you might be pregnant or if you have an underlying gynecological health issue. However, you may not need to worry, especially if you’ve been feeling stressed this year as the holidays approach.
If holiday stress could be affecting your menstrual cycle, here’s what experienced OB/GYN Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and the team at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin of Odessa, Texas, want you to know.
For most women, the monthly menstrual cycle is a predictable event. Your menstrual cycle may be a little longer or a little shorter than the average. Anywhere between a 23-day cycle and a 38-day cycle is considered normal. You learn your own body’s rhythms, and generally know when to expect your period to start each month.
However, factors like stress can create irregularity in your menstrual cycle. If your period is late, it could be a sign that you’re pregnant – or it could simply indicate that you’ve been under a lot of stress lately. And, for many, the holidays can be a stressful time of year, with numerous disruptions to your typical routines.
You may be traveling and dealing with all the related hassle. You might feel stressed about hosting family members or friends and working hard to create a festive atmosphere full of special holiday treats. The holidays can also be an emotional time of year, bringing you into contact with people you don’t see often, as well as bringing up memories of years gone by.
That’s a lot of reasons why you might be experiencing unusual stress levels. You can see why the holidays might affect the regularity of your periods!
If you’ve been expecting your period for several days, or even weeks, and it hasn’t come yet, at a certain point, you start to feel concerned and on edge. Remember how stress can interfere with your menstrual cycle? It’s easy to get stuck in a circular pattern with stress and menstrual irregularity.
So, first, don’t panic. Take note of any unusual stress you’ve been under lately, and take time for rest and relaxation. A long bath, an afternoon alone, or some pampering from your loved ones may be all you need for your cycle to go back to normal.
If you might be pregnant, an over-the-counter pregnancy test can give you some peace of mind. You may need to wait for a specific amount of time before the test is accurate. If you test positive, you should confirm the pregnancy with Dr. Bridges.
You can also contact a women’s health expert and OB/GYN, such as Dr. Bridges, if you’re concerned about a disrupted menstrual cycle and don’t know what your next steps should be. Dr. Bridges provides comprehensive, compassionate support to all of her new and existing patients. With her knowledge and assistance, you can get to the bottom of what’s going on with your menstrual cycle, and stop feeling stressed about irregular periods.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bridges, call Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin today, or book online now.
