A period does not have to be “very late” for pregnancy to be possible; pregnancy is about whether you ovulated and conceived, not how many days late you are. A missed or late period is just one of the earliest signs that you might be pregnant, but there are many other reasons a period can be late.
What counts as “late”?
For someone with a regular cycle, many doctors and health sites consider a period “late” if it is about 7 days or more past when you expected it. Mild variation of a few days (for example, 1–3 days late) can be normal and caused by stress, illness, travel, or natural cycle fluctuation.
When does “late” suggest pregnancy?
If you usually have very regular periods, being about 3 or more days late could mean pregnancy, especially if you had unprotected sex in the fertile window (about 2 weeks before your expected period). Many sources recommend taking a home pregnancy test on the day your period is due or if it has not come within about 7 days of when you expected it.
What to do if your period is late
- If your period is at least a few days late and you had unprotected sex, take a home pregnancy test; if negative, repeat it in about a week if your period still has not come.
- If your period is 10–14 days late with repeated negative tests, or you regularly go more than 38–40 days between periods, see a doctor to rule out pregnancy and other causes like hormonal issues, stress, or weight changes.
When to seek urgent help
See a doctor or urgent care immediately if you have a positive test and severe abdominal pain, very heavy bleeding, dizziness, or shoulder pain, as these can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or other emergency. If you are ever unsure, or your cycle suddenly changes in a way that worries you, it is safest to speak with a healthcare professional.
