Yes!

A woman’s menstrual cycle can speak a lot about the changes that her body undergoes. The menstrual cycle has a complex regulatory system. Multiple hormones act in harmony for the effective functioning of the menstrual cycle and hence the reproductive system. In each cycle, the woman’s body prepares for a possible pregnancy. And, regular menstrual periods are a result of the expulsion of the ovum and thickened uterus lining from a failed conception. So, when a period is missed, especially in sexually active women, it becomes a source of excessive mental stress.

However, one must be informed that pregnancy might not be the only reason for delayed menstrual periods. In fact, for a few months after menarche, missed periods for even a few months in a row are noted to be common. There may be many other reasons why periods may be delayed in rather sexually mature women.

Stress

Stress is a factor that is capable of disturbing a number of physiological processes. This includes a women’s period. It is a natural feedback mechanism. Stress-triggered hormones signal to the body that it is not yet ready for pregnancy. Raised cortisol levels from mental tension lead to altered sugar levels in the body that further suppress ovulation.

This is known to be one of the most common reasons for the condition in the discussion. This may have a very adverse mental effect on women who frequently indulge in sexual intercourse because stress caused by delayed periods will only delay them further!

Exercise/ Changed work routines

An extensive workout routine also begins a similar hormonal cascade a form of physical stress. So, if you have recently started exercising or now cycle to work, you can expect a late period.

Health disorders

A delayed period usually indicates a reproductive tract disorder although a number of health issues like diabetes, thyroid, and a number of cardiac diseases can also have an impact on the cycle. This means that your periods also indicate good health. Every disease that is capable of bringing about a hormonal fluctuation may have an influence on the menstrual cycle. It is wise to visit a doctor before these diseases progress into more advanced stages.

Hormonal pills

Synthetic forms of various female hormones consumed to keep various bodily disorders under control are known to have an effect on periods. These may not necessarily cause a delayed period. For instance, after a birth control pill, you do not have regular periods at all and you just see withdrawal bleeding which is rather regular. But some hormone-based drugs do postpone them.

Menopause

Towards the end of her fertile period, every woman undergoes hormonal changes that affect her periods directly. In the peri-menopause phase of early menopause, women may experience irregular periods some of which may be late by a few months. In the case of complete menopause, a woman does not get her periods anymore. This is considered to be the situation when there are no periods for 12 consecutive months

Although in the aforementioned situations, a period may be delayed by a month or even more, it is always advised to get a pregnancy test done (even if you practice the withdrawal methods or use contraception). This is because, if the unplanned conception is detected early, there are fewer measured risks in the pregnancy termination procedure. Get the facts of the pregnancy termination before implementing the process of it.