Why Is My Period 2 Days Late?

Question: Why is my period 2 days late?

A woman’s menstrual cycle is usually between 21 and 35 days. It’s possible that your period may fluctuate due to hormonal changes from stress, acute illness, eating disorders or major weight changes, or if you’re on contraceptives.

However, it could also be due to pregnancy. Do you feel pregnant with symptoms like breast pain, breast swelling, nausea and body weakness? Are you worried your 2 days late period may be due to pregnancy?

This article explains why your period is late and the best time to take a pregnancy test. 

---

Reasons why your period is 2 days late

If your period is two days late then its likely due to one of the following.

1. You are pregnant

If you had intercourse in this cycle, especially in the 2 weeks before your expected period, then its possible your 2 days late period may just be pregnancy.

Some women notice very light spotting in early pregnancy, sometimes called implantation bleeding, when the embryo attaches to the womb. It is usually much lighter than a normal period, and many pregnant women do not notice it at all. Spotting before a period can also be caused by other things.

Early spotting before period may not always mean pregnancy. There are other reasons why your period may come early. However, if you’ve had intercourse and feel pregnant before your period, then pregnancy is possible.

Other signs of pregnancy are

• Implantation cramps

• Easily getting fatigued

• Increased desire for a specific type of food

• Avoiding some other types of food

• Increased urination

• Breast swelling and soreness

What to do?

If you have these symptoms, then its possible you’re pregnant. You will need to get a pregnancy test done to confirm. Home urine pregnancy tests are usually most accurate from the first day of a missed period or a few days after, and may be less reliable if you test too early. 

---

2. Excessive stress

Did you miss your period after very stressful days, weeks and months? Severe stress can have negative effects on the hypothalamus, thereby preventing your period from coming out. In some women, it can delay period for weeks or months.

How does stress affect period?

The hypothalamus directly controls the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH) secretions through the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

During stressful days or weeks, the hypothalamus either stops the secretion of GnRH or reduces it. This directly affects the FSH and LH hormones thereby prevent ovulation from taking place.

If ovulation does not occur, then its unlikely you will have period. This pattern is sometimes called functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.

What to do?

Try to have regular exercise, rest well and cut down very stressful activities. If your period has stopped completely for 3 months or more, you should see your doctor for a check-up.

---

3. Excessive loss of weight

Are you trying to lose weight with very strenuous exercise? Severe weight loss or very low body weight can delay your period.

What to do?

Refrain from very stressful and severe weight loss plan.

---

4. Eating disorders

Are you eating too much without control or having no appetite to eat? An eating disorder can also affect the hypothalamic release of GnRH thereby delaying your period.

---

5. You are taking oral contraceptives

Are you on the pill and notice your period is 2 days late?

Oral contraceptives are pills taken by women to avoid pregnancy. There are different types of COC pill. The most common pills are taken for a 21 day period with a free 7 days period when you may have bleeding.

Newer types of pill, when taken for continuous 84 days, may prevent pregnancy and mean you only bleed every few months.

How do contraceptives work?

They block the effect of both LH and FSH thereby prevent ovulation and period in most women.

What to do?

Inform your doctor for advice about the pills you are taking. If you are on the continuous pills without a free period, light or missing bleeding can be normal, but ask your doctor if you are worried or missed pills.

---

6. You are close to menopause

Are you just over 40 years with irregular periods?

Peri-menopause, which means years around menopause, may cause women to have irregular periods, which can delay your period from coming. This is more common in the mid-40s and 50s.

If your period is 2 days late and you are more than 40 years, then it may be due to peri-menopause.

Other possible signs and symptoms of menopause are

• Dryness of the vagina

• Change of behavior and mood

• Hot flashes

• Lack of sexual interest

---

7. You have a Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovaries can cause women to have a late period.

Symptoms and signs of polycystic ovarian disease are

• Weight gain or obesity

• Abnormal distribution of hair (male pattern)

• Difficulty conceiving

• Irregular period

• Absent period

• light period

• Increased blood androgen

• cystic ovaries on ultrasound

PCOS is a common hormone condition. You can read more from ACOG about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What to do?

Explain to a health professional about your body’s symptoms. Drugs like clomiphene and metformin are used to increase fertility chances in PCOS women who are trying to conceive. Also, weight reduction and exercise may help, and some women are offered hormonal contraception to regulate their cycle.

---

8. You have thyroid dysfunction

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can delay your period or make it irregular.

Other symptoms of thyroid problems are

• Feeling bloated

• Increased heartbeat

• Body ache and pain

• Hair loss

• Body weakness

Your doctor may order blood tests for thyroid hormones. You can read more about how thyroid disease affects periods on womenshealth.gov.

---

9. You took emergency contraception

Did you have intercourse and took pills to avoid getting pregnant?

Emergency contraception or plan B pills can delay your period for a few days, and sometimes make the next period lighter or heavier than usual.

---

FAQs about 2 days late period

These are common questions asked and answered that may concern you if your period is late.

---

Period 2 days late and white discharge

Two days late period and increased white discharge can be an early sign of pregnancy, but it is not proof on its own.

During the menstrual cycle and just before you’re expecting period, your vaginal discharge becomes thick or you may have no discharge before period.

If your period is 2 days late with a lot of white discharge, then pregnancy is possible. Other causes of increased discharge 2 days after period are hormonal changes, breastfeeding or intercourse. Only a pregnancy test can confirm if you are pregnant.

---

Period 2 days late negative pregnancy test, Should I worry?

If your period is 2 days late with a negative pregnancy test, these are the possible causes

• You are pregnant (It’s possible to have a negative test 2 days after your period is due. This is due to low levels of Human chorionic gonadotropin which is detected in blood or urine test, especially if you ovulated later than usual)

• Stress

• Excessive exercise

• Excessive weight loss

• Eating disorders

• thyroid problems

• Emergency contraception

• Intrauterine devices

If your period still does not come, repeat the test after a few days or see your doctor.

---

Period 2 days late and cramping, Is it pregnancy?

Should your period be two days late with stomach cramps, pregnancy is one possible cause.

Do you experience other early pregnancy symptoms like brown mucus discharge before missed period, food aversion and fatigue? Then pregnancy is possible.

However, it could also be a sign of your period coming or due to ovulation cramps. If the pain is very severe, one-sided or associated with heavy bleeding, dizziness or fainting, you should see a doctor urgently.

---

My period is 2 days late should I worry?

Not yet. While its possible that you may be pregnant, it also possible you missed your period for 2 days due to stress, exercise or late ovulation.

You should take a pregnancy test about a week after your period was due if it still has not come, or earlier if you have pregnancy symptoms.

---

My period is 2 days late no symptoms of pregnancy

If your period is 2 days late no symptoms, then it could be due to

• Strenuous exercise

• Stress

• Postinor 2 (Emergency contraception)

• You started having period for the first time

• You are close to menopause

• Excessive weight loss

• And yes, pregnancy

If your periods are often irregular or you miss them for 3 months or more, talk to your doctor. See the ACOG page on amenorrhea (absence of periods) for more details.

---

My period is 2 days late, should I take a pregnancy test?

Its okay if you check for pregnancy 2 days after your period was due. However, if negative, it is best to hold out until about a week after period and recheck, or see your doctor if you are still unsure.