At Avenue Women’s Center, we often talk about “missed periods.” If everyone’s body and cycle were consistent and exactly the same, a missed period would be a simple concept to grasp. It is precisely because every woman is unique that it can be difficult to know when one has officially missed her period.
If you are concerned about a missed period, know that we are here for you. We offer free pregnancy tests at all of our five Chicagoland locations, and invite you to contact us today.
A typical cycle is based on averages. The average woman has a cycle that starts with the first day of her menstruation. The first day of menstruation is the first day of one’s cycle. The average woman ovulates two weeks later on day 14 and the average woman’s cycle ends two weeks later after a total of 28 days. We have yet to encounter anyone for whom this happens consistently.
We often discuss with ladies if their periods are regular or irregular. She may not exactly match the “average woman” described above, but how familiar is the client with the regularity of her cycle? Does she notice and/or track whether her period, no matter how long her cycle tends to be, comes monthly or regularly? If a woman tracks from month to month over the course of her child bearing years, she will get a sense of how long her typical cycle actually is. She may notice, for example, it is 28-30 days. If she has this much information on her menstruation history, she can use it to determine when she might be experiencing a missed period. In this scenario, she could safely estimate she’s missed her period after 30 days. However, there are many factors that can influence the length of a woman’s cycle outside of a possible pregnancy. Some common influences on a woman’s cycle can be stress, diet, and/or exercise changes. A woman who is breastfeeding may not experience a regular menstrual cycle.
If you may have missed a period, and you want to know if you’re pregnant, please reach out to us. Avenue Women’s Center offers free pregnancy tests and an experienced staff person with whom you can confidentially discuss your unique needs. We hope to hear from you.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.