Periods are a normal part of a woman’s monthly cycle. But if your period is significantly late, you should consult with a healthcare provider.
Having sex during your fertile window does increase the chances of pregnancy, especially if you don’t use protection. However, sex can also affect your menstrual cycle by triggering hormonal changes.
It’s Not Dirty or Impure
The menstrual cycle is the body’s way of preparing for pregnancy. It lasts about 28 days on average but can vary from 21 to 35 days in adults. During the first half of your cycle, known as the follicular phase, your ovaries release an egg and send it through your fallopian tubes to your uterus. If sperm fertilizes the egg, it will implant in the uterine lining and start to grow. But if fertilization doesn’t happen, the uterine lining sheds and your period starts. Your sexual habits and hormones can have a huge impact on your menstrual cycle.
There are many reasons why your period might be late or irregular, but sex is not usually one of them. It is possible that sex can cause some hormonal changes, but these are unlikely to delay your period by more than a few days.
However, if you’re sexually aroused and have a strong orgasm, your hormones may get all jazzed up and cause your period to come earlier than usual. That’s why it is important to use protection when having sex. It’s also a good idea to take a pregnancy test after sex to be sure that you aren’t pregnant. If you are pregnant, a doctor will be able to help you with your care. If you’re not, a doctor will be able to recommend safe methods of birth control.
It’s Not a Sign of Pregnancy
It is possible to get pregnant shortly after your period if you had unprotected sex during the fertile window (days 14 to 24 of your menstrual cycle). However, small variations in your periods are normal, and a delayed or missed period is not always a sign that you’re expecting.
If your periods are irregular, see a gynecologist to find out the cause of your symptoms. A hormonal imbalance and lifestyle factors can lead to late or missed periods, such as sleep deprivation, excessive exercise, stress, and weight changes. Certain types of birth control can also affect your menstrual cycle, particularly hormonal methods that alter hormone levels to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
It takes time for your body’s hormones to adjust after becoming sexually active. If you’re a new sexually active girl, your periods may be delayed or inconsistent for the first couple of years while these changes occur. In some cases, a sex delay can be caused by a medical condition like PCOD or thyroid imbalance, but it’s not always the case. The most common cause of a sex-induced delay is when you’re aroused or experience an orgasm. These activities can cause your hormones to get all jazzed up and delay your period by up to a few days.
It’s Not a Cause of Irregular Periods
It’s important to note that not all vaginal bleeding after sex is menstrual. Non-period bleeding after sex can be caused by things like a pelvic infection, which you should visit your doctor about right away, or it could also be from sexually transmitted infections like the HPV virus. Bleeding can also be caused by things like a miscarriage or certain types of cancers.
It isn’t sex exactly that can delay your period, but it can have an effect on arousal since it causes a surge in hormones. It won’t delay it by much, but if you are late, it may cause it to be delayed for just a day or so.
A lot of other things can change your period too, such as lifestyle, emotional, and medical factors. Tracking your menstrual cycle in a period app can help you see the difference that these can have on your menstrual flow.
For example, some forms of birth control can affect your menstrual cycle. They work by altering your hormone levels to prevent ovulation and thickening cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg. These can make your periods irregular or even stop them completely. Stress, weight changes, and a variety of medications can all have a negative impact on your period too. It’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about your menstrual cycle or birth control.
It’s Not a Sign of Orgasm
Many women experience a heightened sense of libido just before and during their periods, due to the increased amounts of oestrogen and testosterone in their bodies. This is why so many couples choose to have sex on their period, if they are comfortable with it and use condoms.
Orgasm itself can also cause uterine contractions, which is another reason why some girls see their periods come earlier than usual or get heavier flow during and after orgasm. However, this change in menstrual flow is usually temporary and not a sign of pregnancy.
On average, a normal menstrual cycle lasts 28 days and can vary between 21-35 days. During the first half of this time, called the follicular phase, an egg is released from the ovary and enters the fallopian tubes where it can be fertilized by sperm. Once an egg is fertilized, the lining of the uterus begins to grow and shed every month, causing your period.
Having sex does not change the length of your menstrual cycle or make your periods irregular, even if it happens during your fertile window. But, if you aren’t using birth control and you have an irregular cycle, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about it so they can run tests and screen you for sexually transmitted infections.
