First, take a deep breath. A late period is very common and, in most cases, not dangerous. The menstrual cycle is sensitive and can be affected by stress, lifestyle, hormones, and health changes.

Understanding the Context

Periods usually last about 5 days. But a period can be shorter or last longer. Periods, also known as menstruation, occur when your uterus sheds its lining, causing blood and mucus to discharge from the vagina. 1 This usually occurs once a month if you are not pregnant and...

Key Insights

If you’ve missed your period, your first thought may be that you’re pregnant. But pregnancy isn’t the only cause of a missed period. If you’ve confirmed that you’re not pregnant, it can be helpful to ...