Someone asked us:

Hi. I’m a 23 year old woman and my period is nearly 4 weeks late now. I took a pregnancy test a couple days ago and it came back negative. I don’t have insurance or cash to see a doc, so I was wondering what other things might cause me to skip a period?

Everyone’s body is different, so their periods are different too — what’s a “normal” period varies from person to person. A missed period can be one of the first signs of pregnancy, but it doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant. Sometimes you skip a period for no reason at all, especially during the first few years of your period. Lots of different things can change your cycle and cause you to miss a period including:

• Sudden weight gain or loss
  
• Having very little body fat, which can happen if you’re an athlete or have an eating disorder
  
• Stress
  
• Changes in your hormones
  
• Taking certain medicines
  
• Being sick
  
• Poor diet and nutrition
  
• Exercising too much
  
• Using hormonal birth control, like the pill, patch, ring, implant, and hormonal IUD
  
• Taking the morning-after pill
  

Since you don’t have insurance, your nearest Planned Parenthood health center can talk with you about your payment options. Many people qualify for free or low-cost services at Planned Parenthood health centers.  Have more questions? Ask a health educator on our Chat/Text hotline! 

-Attia atPlanned Parenthood