If you’re at a healthy weight, sex won’t delay your period (unless you get pregnant). Small variations in your menstrual cycle are totally normal.
Tracking your cycle with a period app or journal can help you spot these minor changes. However, it’s always best to rule out pregnancy if you’re concerned about your missed period.
1. Hormonal Imbalance
When your period doesn’t arrive when it’s supposed to, it’s normal to worry. You may think you’re pregnant, especially if you had unprotected sex in the days leading up to ovulation. However, there are other reasons your period could be late.
Having sex changes your hormone levels, which can have a direct impact on your menstrual cycle. For example, if you have orgasms, the hormone oxytocin is released. This can cause your period to come on sooner. Semen also softens the cervix, which can help your period start earlier.
In one study, women who had regular sex had longer, more consistent menstrual cycles than those who didn’t have sex. The reason for this is that ovulation occurs around day 13-15 of a 28-day menstrual cycle, and those who have sexual intercourse before or during this time are more likely to get pregnant.
While hormonal imbalance is not the only thing that can delay your period, it is a common cause of missed periods. If your periods are irregular, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor to find out what’s causing them. Dr. Morales reviews your medical history, discusses your symptoms, asks about any supplements or medications you take, and performs a physical exam to make an accurate diagnosis. She then designs a customized treatment plan to restore your hormonal balance and alleviate your symptoms.
2. Premature Menopause
Most women reach menopause by age 51, but some experience it at an earlier age. This is called premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency. When it happens, your ovaries stop functioning and you no longer have periods. This can happen suddenly and it may be caused by surgery or cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or it can occur when you have a hysterectomy to remove your womb.
If you have irregular, missed or late periods, talk to your GP as they might need to run some tests to check for other medical reasons. They will probably want to carry out blood tests that check your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and the progesterone produced by your ovaries.
Early or premature menopause can be upsetting and it’s common to experience mixed feelings about body changes, fertility and femininity. It can also be challenging to maintain a relationship or family plans if it affects your sexual drive and intimacy. Symptoms can include hot flushes, sweats and vaginal dryness. Other symptoms are less obvious and might include urinary problems, sleep disturbances and mood changes. Your GP will be able to offer advice and support. They might recommend hormone therapy if you are diagnosed with this condition. This can help you to get your periods back if they have stopped completely.
3. Thyroid Disorders
Your thyroid gland produces hormones that control many systems in your body, including the menstrual cycle. Its main hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), are responsible for producing progesterone and estrogen that help regulate the menstrual cycle.
When your thyroid isn’t working properly, it can throw off the balance of these other hormones. This is what happens in hypothyroidism, where your thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. It can also affect ovarian hormones, which are needed to ovulate.
Hypothyroidism can also cause heavy periods, which are defined as blood flow that causes you to change your tampon at least every hour for several hours at a time or have clots larger than the size of a quarter. These heavy periods are a sign that your ovaries aren’t ovulating regularly.
Heavy periods can also be a sign of other health problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and uterine fibroids. Sex can also relieve heavy periods by helping your pelvic floor muscles relax, which reduces pain. Studies have shown that sex can release a hormone called prolactin, which has a natural pain-blocking effect. For example, researchers found that women who orgasm during sex have higher levels of this hormone in their bodies than those who don’t orgasm. Similarly, looking at your partner or even just thinking about them can significantly lower period pain.
4. Hormonal Birth Control
If you’re on hormonal birth control, it can cause irregular periods. The hormones in the pill tinker with the interaction between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which can affect your menstrual cycle.
If you have a light period, or you’re not getting one at all, talk to your doctor. It may be a sign that your pills aren’t working for you anymore. You might need a different type of pill, or a dose change. If you’re on a combination pill (estrogen and progestin), try taking it without the progestin for four days, and then start again. This can help you have a heavier or more regular period.
Another option is to get an intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs work by releasing a progestin into your body. IUDs can reduce or stop your periods completely, and some types of IUDs have a low-dose that can help you have lighter periods.
Other non-permanent forms of birth control can also make your period go lighter or stop altogether. These include the patch and vaginal ring, which contain estrogen and progestin. They can also prevent pregnancy, but they don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases. If you’re considering these options, talk to your doctor to find the best option for you. Many sexual health clinics offer free birth control methods to people who qualify.