Missed Periods and Irregular Periods are Normal When You’re a Teenager!
Missed Periods and Irregular Periods are Normal When You’re a Teenager!Recently, there has been a flood of questions from my teen readers on my popular post, “Reasons for Missed Period – When You’re Not Pregnant.” I want to address the most commonly asked questions to alleviate any worries that teenagers may have about their periods.
Age of Your First Period
A teenager typically gets her first period between 12 and 14 years of age. Some girls can start menstruating as early as 9 years old. Others won’t have their first period until they’re 16 years of age. When you’ll have your first period depends on how fast you’re developing. Some girls are early bloomers; others bloom later. If you haven’t had your period by 16 years old, visit your doctor and find out what’s the hold up. In some cases, however, it may still be normal.
How Long Does a Period Last?
A regular period can last between three to seven days. During the teen years, you can bleed for even longer. Some teenagers have their period for 10 days! The length of your period can change from month to month. The heaviness and color of your flow will also change from the beginning of your period to the end. On Day 1, 2, and 3 of your period, it’s normal for your flow to be heavy. Your menstrual bleeding will become lighter and lighter until your period ends.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles and Missed Periods are Normal
In the first two years after you start menstruating (having your period), it’s normal for you to experience an irregular menstrual cycle. You may have a period twice in one month, or you may go without a period for two months at a time. Likewise, you may have your period for only 2 or 3 days one month, and the next time you have your period, it lasts for 7 days. This is normal during the teenage years. Your body is influenced by your growth (and puberty is a time of major growth), so this can change your menstrual cycle from month to month.
The length of time that your period lasts, and the amount of blood that you experience is influenced by the level of hormones that your body is manufacturing. Since a teenage girl is growing, her hormones are going to be fluctuating and this can change the amount of blood and the length of your period from one cycle to the next.
In a nutshell, missed periods and irregular periods are normal in the first two years after you start having your period. Your body will eventually develop a regular cycle. The average cycle length is 28 days, but not every woman follows this textbook rule. A regular menstrual cycle can run from 21 days to 35 days (or longer). If you’re a teenager, as long as you have one period every three months, you should be fine. But always call a doctor if you’re worried about anything.
*Very Important* – If you do not want to get pregnant, always use protection when you have sex. The only 100 percent way to protect yourself against STDs and pregnancy is to NOT HAVE SEX. Take it from an oldie – it’s always best to wait and save yourself for that special person.
When Should You Worry about a Missed or Irregular Period?
Missed periods and irregular periods can be normal in teenagers, but you should consult a doctor if you’re a teen and you haven’t had your period for at least three months. This may be a sign of a reproductive problem, like premature ovarian failure.
If you have at least one period within that three month range, you shouldn’t worry. This can be normal, just a byproduct of your fluctuating hormones. Your menstrual cycle will eventually even out, and you will get a normal cycle (although it may not be the perfect 28 day cycle.)
Reasons You May Miss Your Period When You’re Not Pregnant
If you are sexually active and you notice something unusual with your menstrual pattern, there is always a chance that you could be pregnant. Condoms are only 99 percent effective. Birth control pills are only effective if you take them on a regular basis. Skipping a pill can put you at risk for pregnancy.
Other reasons you may experience irregular periods, or missed periods, include excessive exercise, birth control pills, stress, and eating disorders.
Excessive Exercise – If you’re an athlete, you may notice a change in your menstrual cycle if you’re training super hard or exercising all the time. Excessive exercise can result in less bleeding, fewer periods a year, or your periods may stop completely. In most cases, your periods will return to normal within months after you stop participating in the strenuous sport.
If your period has stopped completely and it’s been over six months, you need to go see your doctor to rule out any medical problems.
Birth Control Pills – Sometimes, birth control pills are prescribed to help regulate your period. They can, however, cause you to experience a missed period. Hormonal methods of birth control, which contain the hormone progesterone, can cause you to miss your period.
Stress – Whether you’re in middle school or high school, schoolwork can really stress you out, especially if your parents are putting a lot of pressure on you to succeed. Stress is a normal part of life, but a ton of emotional stress can affect your period. Too much stress in your life may cause you to experience missed periods or irregular periods.
Eating Disorders – If you have an eating disorder, like anorexia or bulimia, they can slow down your bodily functions and cause your period to stop completely. Please contact a doctor or reach out to an adult if you have an eating disorder. You can also reach out to me, and I’ll be here to help you through this to the best of my ability.
PMS Symptoms Can Be Similar to Early Pregnancy Symptoms
If you’re a teenager who is sexually active, you must be aware that there is always a chance that you may be pregnant. A missed period is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. Please take a home pregnancy test, if you are ever worried. If you test negative at first, and your period still doesn’t come, take another test in about a week or so.
Always keep in mind, however, that premenstrual (PMS) symptoms can mimic early pregnancy symptoms. Even for the most experienced woman, it can be difficult to distinguish the two. For example, breast tenderness, fatigue, and food cravings are normal PMS symptoms, but they are also pregnancy symptoms. Nausea and vomiting can also affect you when you’re PMSing, and it’s an early pregnancy symptom. Taking a home pregnancy test is the only way for you to tell whether or not you’re pregnant.
For more, read PMS or Pregnancy Symptoms?
My Recommendations for Accurate Home Pregnancy Tests
If you’re wondering whether or not you’re pregnant, please check my Hip Chick’s Guide to Pregnancy and Baby Store for my recommended home pregnancy tests. I highly recommend First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test due to its high sensitivity at picking up hCG levels.
If you ever have any questions or worries about your period, talk to your parents and go see a gynecologist who can answer your questions!
I’m 12 years old and i got my period in December of last year and the last time i got my period was in February and it’s been five months since i’ve gotten it and i’m starting to worry more and more so if you know anything or have suggestions plz tell me
Thanks
I am in the exact same boat hun don’t feel alone
Hi i’m 15 years old and i had my period on Australia day and i’m not sexually active and my friends said i should see a doctor and they say there my been a problem. So is there some wrong?
I am 13 and started my period when I was 10.I rarely miss a period,and when I do it is just for a month.My last period was in December(2016).I haven’t had my period for 2(almost 3) months.Should I be concerned?I really don’t want to go to a doctor about this,especially because my doctor is a man…
I’m 17 years old and I’m not sexually active for the past Two years I’ve noticed that I see my period every two months (61days) , I know I’m not pregnant, I just want to know if its normal.
Hi! I am Nessa. 25 yrs old. I had first my period when I am 13 and from then on until now my period has been irregular. Sometimes it’s just trice or fourth times a year I am having my period. Hope you can give me some advice regarding this. Thank you!
I’m 16 in a couple of months but I’m 140 days (4 month’s) late and I’m not pregnant and still a virginbut still confused on why I’m not getting it
Hi, I am 14 years old, I got my first period when I was 14 and my second period was suppost to happen 15 days ago. I was getting worried because I searched up why I wasn’t getting my period. On all of the sites, was written that I am pregnant. But I know that it’s not true because I would not get pregnant and I am only 14. By reading your site, you really helped me because now I know that it’s normal to be late in your period especially because this will be my second time. I really like your site and I will not forget this site because it really helped me
Thank you
thank you. Every you wrote was very clear and understanding, it really help me and I do appreciate a site like this. Thank you again.
Di first of all d content is very good….. I think dis released my tension….. Cause frm 1 year i was facing very irregular period cycles…. Well m a 14 age child n my periods startrd in 2015 oct….. So like m facing dese problems but as u said in d above content dat v should not worry but still r dere some medicines which we need to take to control our menstrual cycle in 2 years????…. N ya m having skin problems… Does it effects our periods?
I had my first menstruation on april 2010. Then when I got my next period was april 2011. After that, i got my period monthly. Sometimes twice a month. I had my last period last december 19 or 20,2016. I turned 19 last january 03, 2017 and until now i still haven’t got my next period even i never had sex. What should be the possible reason? Should i get worried?? What should i do?? Please … Thank you so much
i just got my first period and its starting to stop like two days in but my family has a history of longer periods so i am kind of worried
I haven’t my period from 1 year ago and what should I do?
Hello, ma’am/sir,
my name is maithry of class 9 and I had my periods last on 8th Nov 2016 and today is 8th Jan 2017. I haven’t got my periods since 2 months and I am worried. I belong to a traditional hindu family and my mother is tensed about my health. I am not sexually active. I’ve never had it….
Please help me
Thank you..
Hey…I´m 15 and very scared please can someone reply? i had my period 30.11-6.12 2016 and i gave Bj somewhere about 16.12… now i didnt get my period i´m sure nothing happend but…I never had sex so…
Hi my name is AKINOLA and I am 16 years old My period was regular then it became irregular in 2016 meaning that at first I use to see my period every month then all of a sudden it started skipping a month before it came the last time I saw my period was June I don’t no the exact date an up to today January 4 I still haven’t seen it
I am sexually active but I no I’m not pregnant the last time I had sex was in August so I don’t no wat going on with me an I’ll like to find out
I had my first menstrual Oct 2014, The last time I had it was March 2015 until now Jan,2017 I have not seen it again, Should I worry?
Hi I am 16 my period was regular at first then in 2016 it became irregular meaning that it kept skipping a month before i saw my period the last time I saw my period was in June don’t no the exact date now it January 4 an I still haven’t seen it wat should I do cuz I’m really worried
Hi my name is Paxton. I’m 15 years old and I’ve had my period since I was 12 about a month before I turned 13. During this past year, 2016, I’ve had about 5 periods. My last one was in mid-September and the one before that was late June. Now it’s January and I’m kinda worried that somethings wrong. I am not sexually active, have never had it.
Hello… I am 17 years old. Im irregular. The last time i got my period was November 6, 2016. Im about 50+ days late. I have not been sexually active. Should I be worried?
omg i have the same situation and i am really worried.
Hi my name is bella I had my first period on February 29 2016 and yesterday December 25 2016 I got my period 6 days early and I am 12 years old is this normal plzz reply
Getting your period 6 days early or 6 days later than usual, especially when these are your first few periods, is completely normal and there is nothing to worry about.
I didn’t have a period when I was 15 even thought I had all of the signs of pubery and then we went to doctors with my mom and my doctor told us that everything’s normal and she gave me some medicine to see If I even can have a period. It turned out that I can but since then I didn’t get my period again till 6 months ago (I’m 16 now) and that was the last time I had period.
Hey, I’m 14 and I’ve had my period for 3 months, I know I don’t really know my normal cycle but the 2 times I’ve had it it has been 5 days long. I’m on my period now but it’s lasted 9 days, it’s a little less now but it’s taking a while to fade out. Please help! I’ve seen many different articles with different opinions. I don’t know if I should go to the doctor or not
What you have to realize is that for almost a year, maybe a year and a half even, you period will most likely not be the same length every time, and it is common for girls to have irregular periods for a while until their body regulates itself. So you should not worry for now.
hi I’m 13 and I got my period shortly after I turn 11 it’s been pretty regular I didn’t really track it, but my mom did and it seem to be pretty regular but I know it seems really soon but I haven’t had my period in 4 days and I’m kind of freaking out, and I don’t want to tell her because I’m afraid that she is going to mad say it’s nothing and tell me to calm down and stuff or that she’s going to be mad at me or something and I’ve been looking up reasons it could be late and a lot of them are saying like stress and stuff and within the first like a couple of years you can getting your period is late sometimes but I’m still kind of worried. Could you help?
If your period is 4 days later than usual, that is not a problem at all. That is completely normal, especially for someone your age. It may even skip a month, who know. Also, you can’t control when your body decides to have your period come or go, so your mom should understand that this is normal for teen girls like you and I don’t think she will be mad at you for having a 4 day late period…
Hi.. So the 1st time I had my period was in 2013, I was 13. It was irregular, sometimes it would be in the beginning of the month, or in the middle or even in the end.. However in January 2015 I missed it, I only had it again in March 2016 . In September 2016 I started highschool, I’m in a new country with a different language since July 2015, I stressed a lot because I don’t know anyone here.. I missed September, October and November. Should I worry?? Cause I’m freaking out!
Hi im 16 and the last time i had my period was last week nov. 6-12 but before that my last period was july so should i be worried because for not having a period 3 months in a row
So I’m 12, I got my period when I was 11 and it has always lasted 6 days. 2 months ago I didn’t have a period, last month I had two periods but this months period from the last one is only 12 days apart. Should I be worried?
I am 13, I got my first period on 24 august and my second, 6 October. I still haven’t gotten my third and it has been 42 days… pls help I’m not sure If it’s supposed to be like that as my second came two months later…. HELP!!!!
Hi, I am a bit confused… I am 13 years old and I got my first period recently. My cycle was normal until this
month and it hasn’t come yet… it’s probably about 20 days LATE, I am a bit worried but I do participate in dance and I am a competitive dancer and have intense practice every single day. I was reading about how it could be due to intense exercise but I am still not sure
I don’t think you should be worried as your body is probably making up for the delayed periods.
Probably nothing is wrong. Stress, excess exercise, and hormones imbalances can cause your period to do that. I would not be worried unless your period does not regulate itself out again over time.
Hi! Im 13 and im experiencing a delayed mestruation. I got my first period on March, but i didnt get any period in April and May. I got my period on June, not in July. I got a period on August but not in September. Then I got a period again on October. But Im not sure if the thing thats getting out of me these months (June, August, October) are period. They are kinda brown in color and i didnt use napkin because the flow is very very slow! The thing wont cover my entire panty and it lasts in 7 or 5 or 3 days. Im really worried about myself. I dont wanna tell my mom because she might freak out! Is there something wrong with me? Will this affect my reproductive system? Im really really worried! Please Help!!!
Hey im 13 and i havent had my period in like 53 days (ya i counted) so i think based on ur article thats normal… I hope. I first had my first period when i was like in my early day/months of 12 so im pretty dang sure im fine but can someone maybe give me a little reassurance?
I’m 16, and the last time I had my period was in May-June and it’s October and I haven’t had it since then. I’ve never had sex and still a virgin. I’m extremely worried and I don’t want to talk to my mom about it because she’ll freak out on me. Please help me I’m scared.
I think it is normal. Many of my daughters friends experience the same. Stress, anxiety etc can all be contributors. Try and relax. If you feel healthy I wouldn’t worry. But hope you tell your mom so you have someone to talk to!
Hey, I am extremely worried. I started having my periods when I was 12 years old. Now I am 14, already I had been going through the era of irregular periods within those two years. I exercise a lot and I might not be able to maintain a healthy diet. I am 14 and had my last periods in May and I am not having them, it’s October! Please help me, I am really anxious.
I’m 15 and my period have always been irregular but only by a few days. The last I ad my period was in April and now it’s october I’m really worried and I’m scared to tell my mom because she will think I’m having sex but my a virgin. Can someone help me?
I just turned 15 today and I didnt have my period for one month I was 11 when I got my first period my period usually comes normal but the last time it came it lasted 4 days and It was really low my period is usually 6 days
Please help I’m really scared. I think its because I walked a lot last month I don’t really exercise a lot. please anyone reply
I am maj… My daughter ( Age 12) having the problem with menstrual periods. her period was started on last June. Now the bleeding is normal and it will stop after/reduce the bleeding 4 days and repeating with same type of bleeding 3 or 4 days after. she is normal height and weight. please provide me the reasons abnormal period.
hi i’m a little confused i’ve been having my period regularly since i was 9 but since 2016 has come in my period has been quite irregular and confusing to track and keep up with. One month i had a period twice at the end of the month around the 27th and ended on the first of the next month of the 1st. the rest of that whole month i didn’t see a period then the next month it came around on the first of the month then the next month it didn’t come on the first it came round the 27 but stopped on the exact day it came then came back the next day n last for about 3 days in total now it the 27th again n it hasn’t come i’ve been trying not to worry but i feel i have no choice since it has been irregular for most of this year.
hey! i am 14 years old i missed my last period but now my period is of more than 7 days
so what’s i do know
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I was wondering in June I passed out and I still had my period, but in July I didn’t get my period and this is my first year getting my period. Is there something I should worry about?
I was wondering what is going on with my body cuz I just turned 16 and had my period for 1 day and I already had my period before the other time I had my regular period it was 3 months ago but it hasn’t came at all I’m not pregnant cuz I haven’t done anything..??
My name is madison im 13 and my last period was on June 24 and I haven’t had on since then and its only been like a year when I first got it.
Hey I’m 14 and my last period was June 9. Today is July 30. I don’t know what has been going on with my body. A few weeks ago I had to take some antibiotics and I’m starting to wonder if that’s the problem.
The same thing for me too! I’m 13 and my period was supposed be on August 5, but now it is August 21, and I’m not having my period yet. I seriously don’t understand…
Hey im 15 years old the last time i got my period was april 19 2016 but when it was time for my next period it didn’t come on so i was wondering what was wrong with my body but im not pregnant its going on 4 months and it still aint come on
Hiya Yoi should defiantly go and see a doctor because it could mean you have to have a infection or even something worse X
Hope this helped
If you hadn’t got your period for 4 months you should probably see a doctor
Okay so me and my boyfriend had sex without a condom but he didn’t not ejaculate in me, I know this for sure. But I didn’t get my period for almost a month and 15 days then I started bleeding for 8 days. Should I be worried that I’m pregnant?? I’m 16…please help me out. Could I have been late on starting my period becuase i was stressing and traveling alot?
Try to get a test if you are pregnant
Hi, i’m twelve. The last time i had my period was on June 15, 2015. I don’t know if it’s happened to anyone else.
I have gone to the doctor but that was in December.
Almost the same thing happened to me! I haven’t had my period for half a year and I’m still to scared to go to doctor but I kind of know what the problem is. I’m very underweight (I don’t have anorexia or anything) but I’m still way too thin for my age and cannot force myself to eat… If you have the same problem as me, the reason is you being underweight or not getting all vitamins that are needed for your body.
The same thing is with me, when asked i say ive already had it. im young, very thin, and everyday i do fighting training and gym for a couple hours each, i havent had mine for a very long time, since my eating problems started up again, i used to have it as normal but then everything just stopped. Im too scared to go to doctors but i dont know what to do…
hi, i’m marie and i just turned 14 like a week ago, i started my period when i was 11 and it’s been pretty regular usually 7 days long and it’s never been more late than 2 weeks both ways. however my last period ended on april 29th and it’s the 11th of july now. i’m really worried and my mum says that it’s probably because i had exams and i have not been eating very well, but i am extremely worried, i am a virgin so that crosses out the other possibility, please help x
It’s July 10th right now, and I last got my period on May 28th which lasted 7 days- like normal. The one before was in early December of 2015. It’s just that I’ve been having my period for almost two years now, but I’ve only had 8 or 9 in this entire time. After my first period, I didn’t get the next one for seven months! Should I be worried?
Actually scratch that, I’ve only had 6, not 8…
Okay I had my period 2 times this month but it’s still heavy how can I slow it down and also I want to go swimming and I can’t because I’m on my period I just want to slow it down so I can use a tampon cause usually if I use one it fills the tampon up less than 30 mintues PLEASE HELP ME ‼️‼️‼️‼️
Hi. I need someone to tell me what’s going on… So I’m 15 and I got my period when I was 12 and it’s been pretty regular. I might have been maybe 2 weeks late a few times but not recently. The last month I have been sexually active but we used protection and there is no way I am pregnant. I just got my period and I’m getting period symptoms but it’s very very light bleeding and now there’s nothing. I have been just starting my sport and it’s a lot of training so I think that might have something to do with it. I took a pregnancy test and it said I was negative. I also am having cramps and if I was pregnant i would be 4 weeks so I don’t know if I would have morning sickness by now or something. Please help!!!!
Hi, I’m 13 and haven’t gotten my period since January 2016 and it’s July 5th 2016. I’m still a virgin and no bf. Please help!
I think you should go see your doctor. You should always see a doctor if you haven’t gotten your period in over 6 months.
So I am probably late on my period and idk what it means because mine is usually exact and maybe lately I have been stressed a lot. Can that be the reason because I got mine when I was 11 and I am now 13. I know I am not pregnant because I am a virgin and I don’t have a bf and I have never had sex. Help
Hey I’m Nadia and I’m 16. I’m a Virgin. I’ve had my period since I was 12 and it was always very regular. Coming every month, and lasting 7-9 days. Usually they were pretty heavy through the middle. The first and last days were always very light. Since November this year though, my periods have been really wierd. Some months they didn’t come. Other months I just had light bleeding for a few days. Some other months i had light bleeding for two almost three weeks at a time. Then, in May I had regular bleeding for like three weeks. Now it’s June and I have my period and I have cramping, but my period which started two days ago is heavier than it’s ever been before. I soaked through an entire heavy duty overnight pad while I was sleeping which has never happened before. And I put a new one on at around 6:45 am, and by 9am it was pretty much full. Please someone give me an idea of what’s wrong with me.
Im 13 and I started at 12 my period was last month and 1 week late. I have not had sex and I dont have a bf. And I dont really know how to suspect it. Or if I have a disease! Plzz help!