how many days late can a period be before worrying about pregnancy

A period is typically considered late if it is more than 7 days past the expected date. Most sources agree that if a period has not started within about a week after it was expected, it is reasonable to take a pregnancy test to determine if pregnancy is the cause. If the period is just a few days late and cycles are normally irregular, there may be no immediate cause for concern, but pregnancy should be considered if a period is late by 7 days or more, especially if sexual activity has occurred. If a pregnancy test is negative and the period still does not arrive after 7 to 10 days, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider to investigate other possible causes of the delay. Occasional delays of up to a week can be normal due to factors like stress, illness, or hormonal changes, but repeated or long delays warrant medical attention. In summary, a period that is more than 7 days late is generally the point at which pregnancy should be considered and ruled out with a test. Beyond this, if no pregnancy is detected and the period remains absent, medical advice is recommended.