It’s not really a big question whether it’s your first period or you’ve had it for years. The main concern of this is when your period is delayed or irregular. Most women get worried if there is an abnormal menstruation because the first thing comes to their mind is “I’m pregnant or there is something wrong on my health condition that needs some medical attention.
Well don’t panic there are some reasons and explanation for this. According to Jennifer Ashton M.D., a new Jersey based gynecologist and the author of The Body Scoop for Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy, Beautiful You, about the different factors that can cause your period irregular and when you should be worried.
Here are 10 possible reasons you're not getting your period on the regular.
1. You started menstruating within the past two years.
Puberty is a gradual process. It causes physical changes to boys and girls differently. In girls the first sign of puberty is usually menstruation. Most girls get their period between 8 and 16. Because there too young it’s very normal for irregular or regular periods. According to Ashton your first cycles "training wheels" for the next couple of decades. "If the period is irregular in the first two years, we usually don't get worked up over it because it's so common," she says.
Also she, recommends visiting a gynecologist for your first appointment between the ages of 13 and 15. Young girls you don’t need a physical exam, and it's a great opportunity for you to ask your doctor any questions you have about your reproductive health.
2. You're underweight.
If you have an eating disorder or are concerned about losing weight it may result in periods stopping. It may also happen to athletes, like training for marathon or triathlon and people who do an excessive exercise.
If you suffer from eating disorder and suffer from weight lose it’s better to consult your doctor.
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3. You're tracking it wrong (or you're not tracking it at all).
Use a period tracker to determine if your menstrual cycle is healthy and to know whether your menstrual cycle is regular or irregular.
4. You have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a common condition which can cause periods to be very infrequent or sometimes stop altogether. Women with PCOS may have other symptoms such as weight gain, oily skin or acne, depression of mood swings, and hair loss or hair growth.
5. Taking a form of hormonal birth control.
A number of contraceptive treatments can stop you having periods such as the Pill, the patch, the Nuva Ring, the Depo-Provera injection, and most types of the IUD It can take a while for your body to adjust, especially if your cycle was irregular to begin with.
Hormonal birth control is lowering the risk of pregnancy but it does not mean that it completely eliminates your risk of pregnancy. Ashton said: Even with proper use’, it still has an eight percent failure rate per year, according to Ashton.
6. Not taking the Pill properly.
If you are not taking the Pill properly or skipping every day that can cause irregular bleeding," Ashton says. It can also make the Pill less effective.
Talk to your doctor on how to take the Pill.
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7. Your cycle is syncing up with another girl's.
If you live with other girls and women who menstruate, like your mom, a sister, or a roommate, there's a good chance you'll eventually wind up on the same cycle, Ashton says. Scientists don't know why this happen, but it's incredibly common — and it explains why you might get your period on a day you didn't expect.
8. You're taking certain medication.
If you're taking meds for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another psychiatric disorder, they could potentially disrupt your cycle. "The more medications you're on, the more potential there is for irregular bleeding," Ashton says.
This doesn't mean you should go off your meds without consulting your doctor. Ask your doctor about your options — you might be a good candidate for hormonal birth control, like the Pill or an IUD.
9. You're experiencing vaginal bleeding, but not because of your period.
Vaginal bleeding is not only the result of your monthly period. It might bleed due to an infection, a tumor, a bleeding or clotting disorder such as Von Willebrand Deficiency), or a foreign object inserted into your vagina. To determine if you're bleeding for whatever reason you need to see with your doctor.
10. Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the most common cause of missed period. If you think you might be pregnant, purchase a pregnancy test at a drugstore or a health clinic to find it out whether you are pregnant.
Ashton also cleared up some common misconceptions about irregular cycles: For the average teen girl, stress, poor diet, and frequent travel or exercise will not affect your period. Remember, if you're concerned about what is happening with your cycle, it’s better to consult your doctor.
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