Gynecology › Menstrual Delay
Late or missed period: what to do in Busan
A period that comes a few days late is common and often has a simple explanation such as stress, travel or illness. If there is any chance of pregnancy, a home test is the first step. If your period is still missing, or this keeps happening, an OB/GYN in Busan can check why.
Start with a pregnancy test
If you have had sex since your last period, take a urine pregnancy test, sold at Korean pharmacies and convenience stores. Tests are most reliable from the day your period was due; if the result is negative and your period still does not come, repeat it a few days to a week later. A clinic can also do a blood hCG test, which detects pregnancy earlier and gives a level. See pregnancy tests in Busan .
Other common causes
- Stress, travel and sleep changes: moving to a new country, jet lag and shift work can all delay ovulation.
- Weight change, intense exercise or under-eating
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a frequent cause of long or unpredictable cycles. See PCOS .
- Thyroid problems or raised prolactin
- Hormonal contraception , including stopping the pill, or recently taking an emergency contraceptive pill
- Breastfeeding and perimenopause
When to see a doctor
Book a visit if you have missed three periods in a row (or six months if your cycles were already irregular), your cycles are consistently longer than about 35 days, you have a positive pregnancy test, or you have pain or unusual bleeding. Seeing a doctor sooner is reasonable whenever you are worried.
What the visit involves
The doctor will ask about your cycle, contraception, weight, stress and medicines. They may do a pregnancy test, a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound to look at the uterine lining and ovaries, and blood tests for hormones such as FSH, LH, prolactin, thyroid and sometimes AMH. Treatment depends on the cause; sometimes a short course of progestin is used to bring on a period.
Cost and insurance
For people enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI), consultations, ultrasound and hormone tests for a medical problem are partly covered, so costs are generally modest. Without NHI, you pay the full fee. Ask for a quote when you call, and see our cost guides .
Tips for foreigners
Bring your ARC or passport and the dates of your last few periods (a period-tracking app is ideal). Call ahead to check opening hours. Our international patients guide explains booking and interpretation help.
Related
When to get help sooner
Go to an ER if you have a positive pregnancy test with one-sided pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, heavy bleeding, fainting or dizziness, which can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy.
OB/GYN clinics in Busan for a late period
Any general OB/GYN clinic can do a pregnancy test, ultrasound and hormone tests. These clinics are spread across the city; tap a name for the full listing. Features are shown only where a public listing confirms them.
| Clinic | Area | Phone | Listed features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaen OB/GYN Clinic | Seomyeon (Bujeon-dong) | 051-804-3000 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Centum Eroom Women's Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-758-8275 | Sat, Fertility |
| Eve & Adam Women's Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-743-7585 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Ms For You Women's Clinic | Jwa-dong (Jangsan) | 051-636-7975 | Sat, Evenings |
| Dongnae Bom OB/GYN Clinic | Oncheon-dong | 051-711-2060 | Sat, Evenings |
| Seoul Samsung OB/GYN Clinic | Yeonsan-dong | 051-714-3500 | Sat |
| Jini OB/GYN Clinic | Jangjeon-dong (Pusan Natl Univ) | 051-582-8275 | Sat, Evenings |
| Mari Women's Clinic | Daeyeon-dong (Kyungsung-Pukyong Univ) | 051-626-1009 | Sat, STD tests |
| She's Bon OB/GYN Clinic | Suyeong / Millak area | Not listed | Sat, STD tests |
| Rose Women's Clinic | Nampo-dong | 051-245-7911 | Sat, Evenings |
| L Women's Clinic | Hadan-dong | 051-207-2727 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
Late period questions
How late is “too late” for a period?
Cycles normally vary by a few days. If your period is more than a week late and a pregnancy test is negative, retest. If you miss three periods in a row, see a doctor even if you are sure you are not pregnant.
Can the morning-after pill delay my period?
Yes. Emergency contraceptive pills can make the next period come earlier or later than expected. If it is more than a week late after taking one, do a pregnancy test.
Can stress really stop my period?
Significant stress, poor sleep, illness and big life changes can delay ovulation and therefore your period. If it keeps happening, it is still worth ruling out PCOS and thyroid problems.
Where can I buy a pregnancy test in Busan?
Urine pregnancy tests are sold at pharmacies and many convenience stores. At a pharmacy you can show the Korean word 임신테스트기 (pregnancy test kit).