Period questions answered

A few days late is very common, because cycle length often changes a little from month to month. Cycles anywhere from 21 to 35 days long are considered normal, so a period that’s up to a week later than you expected can still be within the normal range. If there’s any chance you could be pregnant, take a test once your period is late. See a GP if you’ve missed three periods in a row or your periods have become irregular.

The most common reasons are stress, sudden weight loss, being overweight, doing a lot of exercise, and hormonal contraception such as the combined pill, the injection or the hormonal coil (IUS). Breastfeeding, perimenopause (usually between 45 and 55), PCOS (now also called PMOS) and conditions such as an overactive or underactive thyroid can also delay or stop periods. Sometimes the gap between periods simply varies. If a test is negative and your period still hasn’t come, test again a few days later.

Anything that affects the hormones behind ovulation can shift your period. Common triggers are stress, illness, a big change in weight, a jump in exercise or training, starting or stopping hormonal contraception, and breastfeeding. Periods are also often irregular for the first few years after they start, and again in the years before menopause. Health conditions such as PCOS (PMOS), thyroid problems and diabetes can also make periods irregular.

A 35-day cycle is normal, but being 35 days past the date your period was due means you have effectively missed a period. That can happen occasionally without anything being wrong, but it’s worth acting on. If you could be pregnant, take a test now and repeat it a few days later if it’s negative and your period still hasn’t come. See a GP if you’ve missed three periods in a row, or sooner if you also have symptoms such as weight gain or loss, tiredness, new facial hair, or dry or oily skin.

Missing two periods isn’t unusual, and it often has a simple cause such as stress, weight changes or contraception. It is long enough to act on, though. If you’ve had sex, she should take a pregnancy test now. If it’s negative and her period still doesn’t come, she can test again a few days later. She should see a GP if she misses a third period, or sooner if she has other symptoms such as weight changes, tiredness or new hair growth. If she could be pregnant and has sudden severe tummy pain, pain in the tip of her shoulder, or feels very dizzy or faint, call emergency services, as these can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

One late period is rarely a sign of anything serious. The NHS suggests seeing a GP if you’ve missed three periods in a row, if your periods have become irregular, or if you’ve missed a period and also have symptoms such as weight gain or loss, tiredness, facial hair growth, or dry or oily skin. If pregnancy is possible, take a test as soon as your period is late. Get emergency help straight away for sudden severe tummy pain, shoulder-tip pain, or feeling very dizzy or faint.

A period is the bleeding that happens when the lining of your womb (uterus) breaks down and leaves your body through your vagina. It’s part of the menstrual cycle: each month your body prepares the lining for a possible pregnancy, and if you don’t get pregnant, the lining is shed as a period. A period usually lasts about 5 days, anywhere from 2 to 7, and comes roughly every 21 to 35 days.

Yes. “I have my period” and “I’m on my period” are both correct, natural ways to say it, and they mean the same thing. The medical word is menstruating, as in “I’m menstruating”, but in everyday conversation “I have my period” is the most common phrasing.

Five common signs that a period is on its way are bloating, sore or tender breasts, mood swings or irritability, spotty skin, and cramps in your tummy or lower back. Many people also notice headaches, tiredness, trouble sleeping, or changes in appetite. These premenstrual symptoms usually ease once your period starts. Sore breasts, bloating and tiredness can also be early signs of pregnancy, so take a test if your period is late and pregnancy is possible.

During a period, the womb lining is shed along with some blood. Bleeding usually lasts about 5 days, and is heaviest in the first 2 days. Over a whole period most people lose about 20 to 90ml of blood, which is roughly 1 to 5 tablespoons. The colour often changes from bright red to darker red or brown. Cramps, bloating, tiredness and mood changes are common. Pads, tampons, menstrual cups and period underwear can all be used to catch the blood.

Don’t leave a tampon or menstrual cup in longer than the instructions recommend, because of the small risk of toxic shock syndrome. Don’t wash inside your vagina or use perfumed soaps, gels, deodorants or scented wipes, as they can cause irritation. Don’t assume you can’t get pregnant, because sperm can survive for up to 7 days. Don’t skip exercise if you feel up to it, as gentle activity can ease cramps. And don’t ignore pain that stops your daily life or bleeding that soaks through protection every 1 to 2 hours. See a GP about these.

If you mean starting periods, most girls have their first period at about 12, but it can happen as early as 8 and as late as about 16 or 17. Periods usually start about 2 years after breasts begin to develop, and growing underarm and pubic hair is a sign they’re on the way. It’s normal for periods to be irregular for the first few months or years. See a GP if periods haven’t started by 15, or by 13 if there are no other signs of puberty.