A late period can send your mind racing with worry, confusion, or even a bit of panic. Whether it’s just a couple of days past due or you’re staring at a week gone by, it’s normal to wonder what’s happening in your body. Could it be pregnancy, or is something else throwing things off? 

At the Acadiana Pregnancy Center & Clinic, we’re here to help you sort through the possibilities and get answers. Let’s dive into why your period might be late and where to go from here.

What Might Be Causing the Delay?

Your cycle can be knocked off track by more than just pregnancy. Stress is a big factor—when life gets intense, it can mess with your hormones and push back ovulation. Changes like losing or gaining weight, switching up your diet, or ramping up your workouts can also shift your period’s timing. 

If you’ve tweaked your birth control by starting, stopping, or changing it, your body might need a minute to catch up, leading to a late or wonky cycle. Even things like getting sick, traveling, or skimping on sleep can throw your rhythm out of whack.

Spotting Early Pregnancy Signs

If your lifestyle has remained unchanged, it’s time to consider pregnancy. Look for signs like feeling wiped out, needing to go to the bathroom more often, mild cramps, bloating, nausea, or tender breasts. 

These can hint at pregnancy, but they’re not foolproof—other health issues can mimic them. That’s why testing is your best bet to know for sure, rather than guessing based on symptoms alone.

Try a Pregnancy Test

A pregnancy test is the quickest way to get clarity. Most at-home tests are super accurate if you take them on the first day your period is late—there’s no need to wait ages. 

For the best shot, test first thing in the morning when the pregnancy hormone (hCG) is strongest in your urine. If you get a positive result or the test is unclear, let us be your next step.

We’re Here to Help

The surest way to know if you’re pregnant is with a test and, if positive, an ultrasound to check details like how far along you are and if everything’s on track.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Schedule a free appointment with us today for pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and a place to explore your options. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way.