DISCLAIMER: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product, service, or external web site does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product, service, or external web site content by CPCMG. We attempt to keep lists of resources and referrals as up to date as possible; however, this information is constantly changing. Please check with the service provider and your insurance company to verify coverage.
Definition
Menstrual bleeding (your period) is the monthly loss of blood that lines the uterus.
"Late" period: at least 5 days later than expected that month.
"Missed" period: it's been 6 weeks since your last one with no period bleeding.
Health Information
Causes
Periods in first year. In the first year of getting your periods, they can be irregular. You may go a few months between periods. This is normal.
Stress. Life stress, change in routine or illness can make your periods irregular.
Weight loss. Losing weight will make your periods come less often. This can be from an eating disorder, illness, or exercising a lot.
Birth control. Birth control shots, implants and some IUDs will stop regular periods.
Pregnancy. Each month, your uterus builds up its lining to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the lining flows out of your vagina. This is your period. If you are pregnant, no period will happen.
Care Advice
Key Points
Your period is the normal monthly shedding of the lining of your uterus.
It is normal for periods to be irregular in the first year.
Stress, weight loss, and birth control can make periods late or irregular.
Pregnancy will make you stop having periods.
Here is some home care advice that should help.
Check for Pregnancy
Home urine pregnancy tests are available without a prescription. They are cheap, accurate and easy to use.
Do the pregnancy test on a first morning urine sample. This is when any pregnancy hormones are highest. Follow the directions in the test package.
A pregnancy testing fact sheet can be found on the website http://www.womenshealth.gov. Search for "pregnancy tests."
If the pregnancy test is negative, it may be too early to be reliable. If you still haven't gotten your period in 1 week, take another pregnancy test.
If your pregnancy test is positive, start taking a prenatal vitamin. No prescription is needed. Call your doctor for next steps. Do not drink alcohol. Do not take any medicines, unless approved by your doctor.
Keep Track of Your Cycle
Use a calendar or app to record when you have your periods.
This helps your doctor see the pattern of your periods. This gives clues to why your periods are irregular.
Reduce Stress
Stress can interrupt normal menstrual cycles.
Talk about your stress with someone you trust.
Try to avoid any stress that you can.
If you feel overscheduled, find something you can stop doing.
Consider help from a counselor.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Rapid weight loss can interrupt normal periods.
Follow a healthy varied diet.
If you are underweight, try to eat more calories. Consider seeing a nutritionist to help you.
Exercise is good. It does burn calories. Cut back on any excessive exercise until periods return.
What To Expect
Periods will become more regular in 1 to 2 years after starting your period.
If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about next steps.
Call Your Doctor If
You have a positive pregnancy test
You have no period for more than 3 months with negative pregnancy tests.
You think you need to be seen
You have other questions or concerns
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP and Julia Michie Bruckner, MD, MPH, FAAP