Can Travel Delay Your Period?

You may wonder if travel can delay your period; the short answer is yes. It’s normal to experience periods that are different in flow or length and unpredictable or missing due to travel.

Traveling may stress your body and affect your circadian rhythm and menstrual cycle. Read on for more about traveling and your period, some tips on regulating your period while on vacation, and when to see a healthcare provider.

Delayed periods can occur due to travel for various reasons. These causes can range from hormonal effects to stress.

Changes in Hormones

In general, you may experience a delay in menstruation during travel due to hormonal effects or changes. Many hormones can have a role in how your menstrual cycle functions, such as:

• Cortisol–known as the stress hormone–and melatonin, which helps with sleep
• Estrogen and progesterone, which have levels that change throughout the menstrual cycle
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which signal the ovaries to release an egg, or ovulate, and release estrogen and progesterone

Proper hormone balance is necessary for ovulation, meaning an imbalance can potentially cause a missing or irregular period. “Changes in sleep schedules, like early flights and time zone changes, and added stress can have some effect on these hormone levels,” Joshua U Klein, MD, chief medical officer and reproductive endocrinologist at Extend Fertility, told Health.

Disrupted Circadian Rhythm

Your circadian rhythm—also known as your biological clock—and your menstrual cycle are connected. Changes in your circadian rhythm can lead to effects like a difference in ovulation timing.

Traveling across different time zones may result in menstrual cycle changes, as time zone travel also affects circadian rhythm. Not taking birth control pills at the same time when you’re in a different time zone can affect your cycle, too, Orlando-based OB-GYN Christine Greves, MD, a fellow of the American Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, told Health.

Stress

In terms of travel, you might experience stress for a number of reasons that can lead to a potentially delayed period. They might include:

• Fatigue
• Frequent travel
• Humanitarian or disaster-related work
• Jet lag—when your circadian rhythm and a different time zone don’t match
• Work or family pressure

The timing and length of a delayed period due to travel can vary individually. In addition, what is considered a delay will vary. You can still have a regular menstrual cycle if there are 24 to 38 days between the start of your previous period and the start of your next period.

Try having menstrual supplies on hand for periods that may occur later than expected while traveling. For example, you may keep a plastic sealable bag containing menstrual products, toilet paper, and wipes that you can easily access.

There are other helpful tips to consider for managing your period. You might want to:

• Adjust the time for taking birth control pills at the same time you would at home
• Exercise if and when your schedule allows it
• Maintain regular sleeping and healthy eating habits when possible
• Move your legs if you’re sitting for a long time and are using contraception that contains estrogen—including the vaginal ring, the patch, and the combined pill, as they can increase your risk for blood clots
• Stay hydrated

Consult a healthcare provider or OB-GYN if you miss more than two cycles once you’re back home. See a healthcare provider or OB-GYN for the following:

• Dysmenorrhea, or period pain, that doesn’t get better with treatment or interferes with your daily routine
• Heavy or unusual bleeding
• Irregular periods when you once had regular ones
• Migraine headaches
• Missing periods, or amenorrhea, after three months but no pregnancy or breastfeeding status

One of the ways you can miss a period or have a delayed period is if you travel, which can be expected. How long your period is delayed will depend on your situation.

Staying rested and hydrated during travel can help with managing your period. Contact a healthcare provider or OB-GYN for guidance if you have concerns about skipping or missing periods after your return.