If your period is late  and you’ve ruled out obvious suspects like pregnancy or active menopause, there’s still no need to panic. Many experience irregular menstruation at one time or another. But if your period has been delayed more than a few times, there are a few potential factors you may like to consider.

Other than pregnacy, weight and alcohol consumption there six more explanations that may explain your late period. An OB-GYN is key when it comes to determining why your period is delayed. But before your appointment, it can be helpful to consider any other situations that might affect your cycle. These include:

• Stress. Emotional tension can affect your hypothalamus gland, which regulates hormone production. Ongoing stress in your life can ultimately lead to delayed periods.
  
• Contraception use. Even those birth control methods which don’t operate by pausing periods can still cause a bit of irregularity, depending on their hormonal blend. Or you may have recently stopped using a type that inhibits periods, and your body is still adjusting.
  
  
• Perimenopause. Many people with periods experience a pre-menopause period that can last from months to years. During this time, periods may come farther apart, and they may shorten or lengthen in duration. Because the experience can vary so widely, it may not be obvious to you at first that a late period might be perimenopause onset.
  
  
• Polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that results in underdeveloped ovarian sacs that interfere with egg formation.
  
  
• Additional hormone imbalances. Along with PCOS, hormone imbalances can cause late periods and other menstrual changes. These can stem from irregularities in the pituitary or thyroid gland.
  
  
• Scar tissue. Factors such as surgery or fibroids can cause uterine scarring. Over time, the scar tissue builds up and interferes with the formation and shedding of the uterine lining, which is experienced as period bleeding.