Purebun.com – One week late menstruation is often associated as a sign of pregnancy, even though the fact is not necessarily the case. Other factors, such as stress and hormonal disturbances, can also make menstruation come late. A missed period is not necessarily a sign of pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy test result is negative.
Menstruation is the process of bleeding from a woman’s uterus that occurs because the egg is not fertilized. The normal menstrual cycle for each woman is different. There is a cycle every 21 days, there is also a cycle every 35 days. As long as the time span is between 21-35 days, it is still considered normal.
Some women may have experienced unusually late menstruation, it could be 1 week late menstruation, even up to a month. Well, to find out what happens behind changes in the menstrual cycle, first understand the factors that cause it.
Causes of 1 Week Late Menstruation
There are several factors that can cause your menstrual cycle to change. If you are 1 week late for your period, there are several possible causes, including:
1. Pregnancy
As mentioned above, a missed period is generally an early sign that you are pregnant. To be sure, you can use a testpack at home or see a doctor.
2. Breastfeeding
After giving birth, breastfeeding begins. This period of breastfeeding often delays the arrival of postpartum menstruation.
3. Lifestyle
Excessive exercise, frequent smoking, and severe stress can also cause disturbances in the menstrual cycle, one of which is late menstruation.
4. Weight changes
Having an eating disorder that causes drastic weight loss can allow you to experience changes in your menstrual cycle. This condition often occurs in women with anorexia nervosa.
In addition, excessive weight gain or obesity can also cause menstruation to be delayed.
5. Medical conditions
There are a number of diseases that can affect the menstrual cycle, ranging from thyroid disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pituitary tumors, adrenal gland diseases, ovarian cysts, impaired liver function, to diabetes.
These diseases can cause drastic weight loss, make the body lack nutrition, and cause hormonal dysfunction which can then cause menstruation not to occur.
6. Drug side effects
Consumption of certain drugs can cause side effects, one of which is late menstruation.
There are several types of drugs that are thought to cause irregular periods, such as birth control pills, drugs containing hormones, chemotherapy, blood pressure lowering drugs, blood thinners, pain medications, antidepressants, and epilepsy medications.
7. Perimenopause
This condition is a period in which a woman is approaching menopause. Women who have entered the age of 40 years usually begin to experience this.
Signs and symptoms of perimenopause include late or irregular periods, frequent sweating and overheating at night, trouble sleeping, and vaginal dryness.
A negative testpack result doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not pregnant
One week late menstruation may also be a sign of pregnancy, even though a urine test pack is negative. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- The pregnancy test is done too early, where the level of the pregnancy hormone called hCG hormone in early pregnancy is still very low, so it can’t be read
- Insufficient levels of pregnancy hormones in your urine, because you drink too much, or because you take a pregnancy test during the day or at night
- The pregnancy test kit used is damaged or out of date
There are many things that can happen when you are 1 week late for your period. It is sometimes difficult to determine whether you are pregnant or just having a missed period. Well, in order to get accurate results and the right treatment according to your condition, you are advised to consult a doctor.