For thinking stress can delay a period this much?

[WorriedsickinAugust]

I’m late - 9 days. I’m not like clockwork but this is very unusual. We’ve just moved house and had various other stressful things going on, so I’m just putting it down to that.

I know I should probably test but am just putting it down to stress for now, as tbh I can’t face it (I have medical issues and a pregnancy would be complicated at least).

So... Has anyone ever missed a period, or been very late due to stress?

After my breakdown I didn't have a period for about a year.

And I miss odd ones now if I'm stressed.

I was exactly the same a few months back, I was 9 days late in the end, took a test just to be sure as I was so worried and that was adding to the stress! Came on a few days after doing the test, so might be an idea to do one as it will be in the back of your mind adding to the stress?

Mine was delayed for almost two weeks when I was very stressed

I missed one last year - thought it was start of meno, but been ok since

Stress delays ovulation so yes it's very feasible you ovulated later than usual and you're still in the luteal phase.

...but I would take a test to put my mind at rest.

Yes, absolutely. I used to have periods like clockwork and yet they were still delayed once or twice by stress (once moving 1000s of kms away, and once when husband leaving on assignment for nine months). I have friends who are the same (very regular periods delayed by: bereavement, graduate school thesis, long distance move).

With that said, I understand the desire to just wait and hope your period shows up, but if a pregnancy would be medically complex for you, it’s probably better to test and be sure as soon as possible, so you can get the support you need. As hard as it is to think of it this way sometimes, testing will not make you more or less pregnant - you either already are or you aren’t; it’s just giving you information.

as it sounds like this is a very stressful time for you, OP.

Yes, it’s body’s response to prevent pregnancy if the mother might be in immediate danger.

I tore my hamstring at the beginning of my period and it just stopped, I was in a lot of pain. Our bodies are weird but i’d Be POAS if a pregnancy would be difficult for you.

9 days isn’t that long - totally possible when you’re stressed and have big life events like moving house going on. But if you’ve had unprotected sex, then obviously it’s less likely.

Mine was 3 weeks late this time, I assume because of being very stressed at the moment. It showed up just in time to put a dampener on the first child free night my partner and I had had in months

DH’s ex didn’t have a period for months when she was studying for professional exams.

I thought similar was happening to me as my periods stopped during a stressful time. Only I was pregnant and didn’t know until I miscarried.

Don’t bury your head in the sand OP - take the test.

My cycles normally 27ish days, but Ive had up to 42 day cycles when really stressed. Definitely wasn't pregnant on the three occasions the long cycles have happened. I also have a longer cycle if I gain a couple kgs in the month, though thats only a few days longer.

Yes stress can cause all kinds of problems.
Do go to your GP. though.
It sounds like the last thing you need is to be pregnant.

Stress can delay or even prevent ovulation so you may miss the period all together but still not be pregnant. It happens, I have skipped a few periods due to over exercising and also stress.

Moved house last year. It was a stressful time, my periods stopped for over 6 months.

Yes - delayed by about 2 weeks when I was waiting for surgery and was massively stressed about it. Period arrived 3 days after the surgery.

Definately! Just having mine now after it disappeared for 8 months. I was super stressed with working full time, at college to learn something new to change career, a very sick dog and trying to move house

I find with friends that for some stress can have a massive influence but for others non at all. no stress in the world (and I have lot - difficulties DH, severely disabled child, huge financial issues) will delay my AF.

I would test to rule out a pregnancy.

also, how old are you? in their early 40s many women skip the odd period... there can be lots of reasons why it is late. I wouldn't assume stress right aways.

When I first left exh, mine were all over the place. Lots of times I skipped for 2-3 months

The o my time I’ve ever missed a period was when I went t on a health retreat and we were fed the equivalent of gruel the whole time which I threw up. My body was so shocked I just never got my period that month.

My period was late by two weeks last year, I went to the doctor and he said once you get beyond 30 your periods can be late / skip entirely for no apparent reason. Apparently just your fertility declining.

So when the same happened again this summer I didn’t question it. Am very pregnant now though

A friend of mine was 10 days late once for no apparent reason. She’d asked me to get her a pregnancy test while I was in town as she had actually had an unprotected one night stand that cycle and if I’m honest I think we were both 90% certain it would be positive. It wasn’t, but I know the period was awful when it came

Good luck.

Yes mine stopped for 6 months years ago after a very stressful time.

I didn't have a period for about 3 months during a really stressful time. Then it arrived in airport on the way to my holiday.