The short answer is no, not in a clear and evidence-based way. The only situation in which sexual intercourse can change your period is if you become pregnant. In this case, your period (and menstrual cycle) stops completely.
However, sex and sexual arousal can cause the release of oxytocin and an increase in certain hormones. As we know, hormones play an important role in your menstrual cycle phases, so it is possible for any hormonal change to have an impact on your cycle.
What Will We Learn?
Can Having Sex Delay Your Period?
After becoming sexually active, some people notice a change in their monthly cycle. Indeed, sexual intercourse can trigger some changes in the female body. Orgasm releases large amounts of oxytocin. And although you don’t have to have an orgasm to get pregnant, it produces hormonal surges and relieves stress.
Routine sexual activity also tends to change some hormone-based aspects of your menstrual cycle. Your menstrual periods may become increasingly predictable and the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome less noticeable.
If unprotected sex is performed (when the woman does not take birth control pills and the man does not use a condom) and this intercourse occurs close to the ovulation period, there may be a delay due to pregnancy. To be sure, you need to take a pregnancy test.
Other Causes Of Menstrual Delay
In most women, the menstrual cycle lasts approximately 28-38 days from the day the menstrual period begins until the next menstrual day. There is no definitive diagnosis of menstrual delay. For someone who has a very regular menstrual cycle, a 3-day delay may be considered delayed, while for someone whose periods are every 28 days, 38 days after the last menstrual date may be considered delayed.
The menstrual cycle is a natural process that occurs in the female reproductive system, makes reproduction possible, and lasts from the first day of menstruation to the first day of the next menstrual period. There may be many different reasons for menstrual delay, and it is important to receive treatment after the diagnosis of menstrual delay is made.
What Are The Symptoms Of Menstrual Delay?
Delay in menstrual period and absence of one or more menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is when a person has not had a menstrual period until the age of 15. Secondary amenorrhea is when women who normally menstruate do not have one or more menstrual cycles. Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, some symptoms may occur in the body. Some symptoms of menstrual delay are:
- Headache
- Pelvic pain
- Acne
- Nipple discharge
- Mood changes such as restlessness
- Excessive hair growth on the face and body
- Symptoms such as hair loss may be observed.
What Causes Menstrual Delay?
Although a few days of menstrual delay is normal, a long delay in the menstrual cycle may be due to some underlying reasons. Some other known causes of menstrual delay, which is one of the first signs of pregnancy, are:
- Stress: High levels of stress don’t just affect mental health. It may also cause some physical symptoms. Small daily stresses usually don’t affect your menstrual period. However, important periods in your life such as the death of loved ones, job loss, weddings and important exams may cause your hormone balance to be disrupted. This may cause your period to be delayed.
- Extreme diet and exercise: A healthy diet and regular exercise can be very beneficial to your health. However, overdoing your diet and exercise may cause your menstrual cycle to be delayed. It is important to consume enough calories to maintain your hormonal balance.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome: Polycystic ovary syndrome is the formation of many cysts in the ovaries and is a disease that negatively affects ovulation. This causes the hormone level to deteriorate and the absence of ovulation. Menstrual delay occurs in women who do not ovulate.
- Medications: Psychiatric medications, antidepressants, drugs used for cancer, blood pressure and allergies may cause menstrual delay as they disrupt the hormonal balance.
- Lack of reproductive organs: During fetal development, some parts of the reproductive system such as the uterus, cervix or vagina may be missing. In people whose reproductive system is not fully formed, the menstrual cycle does not occur.
- Structural abnormality of the vagina: A blockage in the vagina or the presence of a membrane that prevents blood flow from the uterus and cervix can prevent menstrual bleeding.
- Contraceptives: Some people using contraceptives may experience menstrual delay. Even after stopping birth control pills, this condition may take a long time to improve. Contraceptives used by injection or implanted into the uterus can also cause menstrual delay.
- Diabetes: If you have uncontrolled diabetes, the interaction between your blood sugar level and hormones may disrupt your menstrual cycle, causing menstrual delay.
- Thyroid problems: Thyroid hormone disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can negatively affect your menstrual cycle. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate the body’s systems. If the level of thyroid hormone is abnormal, you may experience menstrual delays.
- Menopause: The frequency of your periods may decrease during perimenopause, which is the first period of menopause. The decrease in menstrual periods is due to the decrease in the estrogen hormone.
- Hyperprolactinemia: If there is high amount of the protein hormone called prolactin in your blood, menstrual delay may occur.
- Weight problem: Being overweight or underweight and any change in your weight can negatively affect your menstrual cycle. Health problems linked to weight and menstrual irregularities include eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
- Breastfeeding: You may continue to have amenorrhea after the birth of the baby. This is normal and you do not need to worry. During breastfeeding, called lactational amenorrhea, it takes some time for estrogen and progesterone hormones, whose levels increase during pregnancy, to drop to normal levels. The duration of menstruation again varies from person to person.
What Are The Diagnostic Methods For Menstrual Delay?
When you consult a doctor with a complaint of menstrual delay, your doctor will first ask about your menstrual cycle and medical history. A physical examination will then be performed, including a pelvic examination. To make a more accurate diagnosis, blood tests may be requested and pelvic ultrasound and hysteroscopy may be performed as needed. As a result of these tests, your doctor will start treating you.
See also: Easy Getting Pregnant Positions
