Late Period? Understanding Potential Causes & What to Do

If you are sexually active and your period is more than a week late, it's important to take a pregnancy test. Your doctor may test for pregnancy, other conditions that could cause irregular menstruation (like certain medications or hormonal imbalances), problems related to your pregnancy, or other serious medical conditions.

For those who might be pregnant:

* If your pregnancy test is negative, you may want to see your doctor to discuss why your period is late.

* If your pregnancy test is positive, your doctor can provide you with information on prenatal care and help you get started on a healthy pregnancy.

For those not pregnant:

* If the pregnancy test result is negative, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, exercising more, and reducing stress, to help regulate your period.

* If your period does not return or come regularly after a few months, your doctor may recommend medication or other treatments to help regulate your cycle.