Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDebunking the MythCausesThe Menstrual CyclePregnancy and Delayed PeriodsOther Contributing FactorsSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Debunking the Myth
Causes
The Menstrual Cycle
Pregnancy and Delayed Periods
Other Contributing Factors
Seeking Medical Care
Having sex can only delay your period if it results in pregnancy. The menstrual cycle is a natural part of life for people with a uterus. Everyone who menstruates can experience a late period at some point due to stress, exercise, hormones, and health issues that can throw off your cycle. But the hormones associated with sex do not delay your period.
This article aims to dispel myths and provide an understanding of how sexual activity interacts with your cycle and period.
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Debunking the Myth: Can Sex Delay Your Period?
Sex does not directly delay your period. However, pregnancy from sex puts your period on hold until after childbirth. Sexual activity raisesoxytocinandendorphinhormone levels, leading to bonding and pleasure. But sex does not impact the reproductive hormones that direct the menstrual cycle.
Factors Affecting Menstrual Cycle
When you first start having periods, you mightmissone period or have two in one month. Your period becomes more predictable after a couple of years, making it easier to note irregularities.
Normal Menstrual Cycle Duration
A menstrual cycle istypicallybetween 24 and 38 days long.For those with regular cycles, a period is late when it’s five days overdue andmissedwhen there is no period for over six weeks.In addition to pregnancy, the following can impact menstrual patterns and timing:
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle
Throughout your menstrual cycle, hormones (chemical messengers) from the brain and reproductive system tell your body what to do from one phase to the next. The menstrual cycle consists of three primary phases, which are:
When Ovulation Occurs in the Menstrual Cycle
A late period is often the first symptom of pregnancy in sexually active people.During pregnancy, the body produces the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone, which prevents ovulation and preserves the uterine lining so the fetus can implant and grow.
Signs and symptoms of pregnancyinclude:
In addition, people who are breastfeeding may not have a period.
Implantation BleedingImplantation bleeding is light spotting that occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining about six to 12 days after ovulation. It can be mistaken for a period because it occurs around the same time as a period would start. However, it is lighter and shorter than a period.
Implantation Bleeding
Implantation bleeding is light spotting that occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining about six to 12 days after ovulation. It can be mistaken for a period because it occurs around the same time as a period would start. However, it is lighter and shorter than a period.
When to Take a Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy testswork best if you take them after you miss a period or around 10 to 14 days after having unprotected sex. Testing too soon can cause a false negative, meaning you get a negative test result even though you are pregnant. Try using the first urine of the day when the HCG levels are the highest.
How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test?
Other Factors That Can Delay Periods
If yourperiod is lateafter having sex, it does not necessarily mean the delay is from sexual activity or pregnancy. Periods can be irregular due to factors like stress, extreme exercise, and weight changes.
Stress and Emotional Factors
Stress triggers the release of cortisol (the stress hormone), causing an imbalance in reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
While sex can be fun and relaxing for some, it can bring worries about performance or body image, causing stress in others. The stress experienced may indirectly lead to period delay.
Schedule Changes
Switching between day and night work shifts or experiencing jet lag can disrupt your internal clock. Schedule changes can also confuse hormone levels, causing your period to come early or a little late.
Diet, Weight, and Exercise Routines
Inadequate nutrition or low body weight can lower estrogen levels, halting ovulation and causing missed periods.Excess body weight can cause excess estrogen, resulting in irregular periods. Regular exercise helps regulate the menstrual cycle, but extreme exercise may disrupt hormone production, stop ovulation, and cause missed periods.
Illness
Acute (sudden) illness can cause weight loss, stress, and changes in hormone levels, which can delay menstruation. Chronic medical conditions have longer-term impacts on hormone levels, affecting menstrual regularity.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosais an eating disorder in which people eat very little because they fear gaining weight. It can cause periods to become irregular, lighter, or stop altogether because there is not enough fat to make the hormones necessary for a menstrual cycle.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) causes the ovaries to produce extra androgens, hormones that are more predominant in males (though women do have small amounts). PCOS can lead to:
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Perimenopause and Menopause
Menopausemarks the end of a person’s menstrual cycle, when periods have ended for 12 consecutive months. It typically occurs in a person’s late 40s or early 50s. Perimenopause is the stage before menopause, when periods may be shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, or more or less frequent.
Thyroid Disease
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause heavier, longer, or irregular periods. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can cause lighter or shorter periods.
Other Health Conditions
Examples of other health conditions that may cause period irregularities are:
Medication
The following types of medications can disrupt the menstrual cycle:
Hormonal Birth Control
How to Make Your Period Come Faster
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Consult a healthcare provider for the following.
Summary
Understanding the relationship between sex and your menstrual cycle can shed light on potential causes for a period delay. Tracking your menstrual cycle aids in identifying irregularities and provides valuable information for healthcare providers. Seek advice from a provider for missed periods, irregular cycles, severe pain, or abnormal bleeding.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Caruso S, Mauro D, Scalia G, Palermo CI, Rapisarda AMC, Cianci A.Oxytocin plasma levels in orgasmic and anorgasmic women.Gynecological Endocrinology:The Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology. 2018;34(1):69–72. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1336219Carlson LJ, Shaw ND.Development of ovulatory menstrual cycles in adolescent girls.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2019;32(3):249-253. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2019.02.119Seattle Children’s Hospital.Menstrual period: Missed or late? December 30, 2022.Klein DA, Paradise SL, Reeder RM.Amenorrhea: a systematic approach to diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):39-48. PMID:31259490.Garg D, Berga SL. Chapter 1.Neuroendocrine mechanisms of reproduction. In: Steegers E, Cipolla M, Miller E, eds.Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier;2020.United States Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Your menstrual cycle. February 2021.Lutterodt MC, Kähler P, Kragstrup J, Nicolaisdottir DR, Siersma V, Ertmann R K.Examining to what extent pregnancy-related physical symptoms worry women in the first trimester of pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in general practice.BJGP Open. 2019;3(4). doi:10.3399/bjgpopen19X101674American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy. May 2021.MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test. November 10, 2022.Nillni YI, Wesselink AK, Hatch EE, Mikkelsen EM, Gradus JL, Rothman KJ, Wise LA.Mental health, psychotropic medication use, and menstrual cycle characteristics.Clin Epidemiol. 2018;10:1073-1082. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S152131.Fernandez R, Moore V, Marino J, Whitrow M, Davies M.Night shift among women: is it associated with difficulty conceiving a first birth?Front Public Health. 2020;8(1):1-48. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.595943Bae J, Park S, Kwon JW.Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0528-xUnited States Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle. February 2021.Cost J, Krantz M, Mehler P.Medical complications of anorexia nervosa.Clevel Clin J Med. 2020;87(6):361-366. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19084Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What causes menstrual irregularities? January 31, 2017.MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding. November 10, 2022.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Caruso S, Mauro D, Scalia G, Palermo CI, Rapisarda AMC, Cianci A.Oxytocin plasma levels in orgasmic and anorgasmic women.Gynecological Endocrinology:The Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology. 2018;34(1):69–72. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1336219Carlson LJ, Shaw ND.Development of ovulatory menstrual cycles in adolescent girls.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2019;32(3):249-253. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2019.02.119Seattle Children’s Hospital.Menstrual period: Missed or late? December 30, 2022.Klein DA, Paradise SL, Reeder RM.Amenorrhea: a systematic approach to diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):39-48. PMID:31259490.Garg D, Berga SL. Chapter 1.Neuroendocrine mechanisms of reproduction. In: Steegers E, Cipolla M, Miller E, eds.Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier;2020.United States Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Your menstrual cycle. February 2021.Lutterodt MC, Kähler P, Kragstrup J, Nicolaisdottir DR, Siersma V, Ertmann R K.Examining to what extent pregnancy-related physical symptoms worry women in the first trimester of pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in general practice.BJGP Open. 2019;3(4). doi:10.3399/bjgpopen19X101674American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy. May 2021.MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test. November 10, 2022.Nillni YI, Wesselink AK, Hatch EE, Mikkelsen EM, Gradus JL, Rothman KJ, Wise LA.Mental health, psychotropic medication use, and menstrual cycle characteristics.Clin Epidemiol. 2018;10:1073-1082. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S152131.Fernandez R, Moore V, Marino J, Whitrow M, Davies M.Night shift among women: is it associated with difficulty conceiving a first birth?Front Public Health. 2020;8(1):1-48. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.595943Bae J, Park S, Kwon JW.Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0528-xUnited States Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle. February 2021.Cost J, Krantz M, Mehler P.Medical complications of anorexia nervosa.Clevel Clin J Med. 2020;87(6):361-366. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19084Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What causes menstrual irregularities? January 31, 2017.MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding. November 10, 2022.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Caruso S, Mauro D, Scalia G, Palermo CI, Rapisarda AMC, Cianci A.Oxytocin plasma levels in orgasmic and anorgasmic women.Gynecological Endocrinology:The Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology. 2018;34(1):69–72. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1336219Carlson LJ, Shaw ND.Development of ovulatory menstrual cycles in adolescent girls.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2019;32(3):249-253. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2019.02.119Seattle Children’s Hospital.Menstrual period: Missed or late? December 30, 2022.Klein DA, Paradise SL, Reeder RM.Amenorrhea: a systematic approach to diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):39-48. PMID:31259490.Garg D, Berga SL. Chapter 1.Neuroendocrine mechanisms of reproduction. In: Steegers E, Cipolla M, Miller E, eds.Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier;2020.United States Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Your menstrual cycle. February 2021.Lutterodt MC, Kähler P, Kragstrup J, Nicolaisdottir DR, Siersma V, Ertmann R K.Examining to what extent pregnancy-related physical symptoms worry women in the first trimester of pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in general practice.BJGP Open. 2019;3(4). doi:10.3399/bjgpopen19X101674American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy. May 2021.MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test. November 10, 2022.Nillni YI, Wesselink AK, Hatch EE, Mikkelsen EM, Gradus JL, Rothman KJ, Wise LA.Mental health, psychotropic medication use, and menstrual cycle characteristics.Clin Epidemiol. 2018;10:1073-1082. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S152131.Fernandez R, Moore V, Marino J, Whitrow M, Davies M.Night shift among women: is it associated with difficulty conceiving a first birth?Front Public Health. 2020;8(1):1-48. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.595943Bae J, Park S, Kwon JW.Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0528-xUnited States Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle. February 2021.Cost J, Krantz M, Mehler P.Medical complications of anorexia nervosa.Clevel Clin J Med. 2020;87(6):361-366. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19084Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What causes menstrual irregularities? January 31, 2017.MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding. November 10, 2022.
Caruso S, Mauro D, Scalia G, Palermo CI, Rapisarda AMC, Cianci A.Oxytocin plasma levels in orgasmic and anorgasmic women.Gynecological Endocrinology:The Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology. 2018;34(1):69–72. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1336219
Carlson LJ, Shaw ND.Development of ovulatory menstrual cycles in adolescent girls.J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2019;32(3):249-253. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2019.02.119
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Menstrual period: Missed or late? December 30, 2022.
Klein DA, Paradise SL, Reeder RM.Amenorrhea: a systematic approach to diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):39-48. PMID:31259490.
Garg D, Berga SL. Chapter 1.Neuroendocrine mechanisms of reproduction. In: Steegers E, Cipolla M, Miller E, eds.Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Elsevier;2020.
United States Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Your menstrual cycle. February 2021.
Lutterodt MC, Kähler P, Kragstrup J, Nicolaisdottir DR, Siersma V, Ertmann R K.Examining to what extent pregnancy-related physical symptoms worry women in the first trimester of pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in general practice.BJGP Open. 2019;3(4). doi:10.3399/bjgpopen19X101674
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy. May 2021.
MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test. November 10, 2022.
Nillni YI, Wesselink AK, Hatch EE, Mikkelsen EM, Gradus JL, Rothman KJ, Wise LA.Mental health, psychotropic medication use, and menstrual cycle characteristics.Clin Epidemiol. 2018;10:1073-1082. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S152131.
Fernandez R, Moore V, Marino J, Whitrow M, Davies M.Night shift among women: is it associated with difficulty conceiving a first birth?Front Public Health. 2020;8(1):1-48. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.595943
Bae J, Park S, Kwon JW.Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause.BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0528-x
United States Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Physical activity and your menstrual cycle. February 2021.
Cost J, Krantz M, Mehler P.Medical complications of anorexia nervosa.Clevel Clin J Med. 2020;87(6):361-366. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19084
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development.What causes menstrual irregularities? January 31, 2017.
MedlinePlus.Vaginal or uterine bleeding. November 10, 2022.
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