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What if I haven't had my period yet?
It is normal to get your period as early as 9 years old and as late as 16 years old. This is a big time range and it is hard to be one of the first or one of the last. Girls who are active in sports or very thin may not develop until a later age. Losing weight while you are in your growth spurt can also delay your periods. Talk to your parent or your health care provider about your worries and concerns. If you haven't gotten your period by the time you are 15 OR if you started your breast development more than three years ago and haven't gotten your period, get a check-up with your health care provider just to make sure everything is okay. Your health care provider sees many girls who develop late, so don't be embarrassed to ask. Your health care provider may do a genital exam and check to see if your hymen (a thin piece of tissue that partially blocks the entrance to your vagina) is open. Some girls are born with an "imperforate hymen," which means that your hymen does not have an opening so that blood cannot leave the vagina. Some girls are also born without a vagina and/or uterus (see MRKH) and do not have a menstrual period for this reason. It's a good idea to get regular check-ups during puberty just to make sure that everything is okay.
How often should I get my period?
You should get your period once every month. Your menstrual cycle should be about 28 days. This means that there should be about 28 days from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. 28 days is an average number, but anywhere between 21 and 35 days is normal. Your period will usually last between 3 and 7 days. The amount of blood flow you have will usually be different each day. You will usually have the most blood in the beginning of your period and the least towards the end. But when you are first getting your period, it may be very heavy one cycle and very light the next.
What if my periods don't come regularly?
You may be one of those young women whose periods may be affected by changes in body weight or diet, increased excitement, eating disorders, stress, exercise, illness, or going away to college. Remember that if you are having sexual intercourse, an irregular period could be a sign of pregnancy. Your period may last 1 day or it may last 8. All of your cycles may not be the same number of days and the length of your cycle may change over time. It is common for a girl just starting her period to be irregular for a year or two.
Periods too far apart. You may only get your period 3-4 times a year, instead of the average 28-day cycle. If you are having your periods only a few times a year, this may be because of stress, intense exercise, weight loss, or diet. Too few periods could also be caused by a mild hormone imbalance called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is especially likely to cause irregular periods if you also have acne, excess hair growth, or weight problems. You should check with your health care provider if there is more than 35 days between your periods. Click here for more information on PCOS.
Periods too close together. You may get your period every two or three weeks. This can be because of stress, some types of exercise, and other changes in your life. If your periods are less than 21 days apart, or if your period seems to be too heavy, your provider may want to check your blood count to see if you are possibly anemic. If you are anemic, you may have too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying protein in your red blood cells). People who are anemic need to eat foods that have iron and/or take an iron supplement.
Use a calendar to keep track of how long your period lasts and how long between the first day of one period to the day before your next period starts. You may also want to write down if you had cramps and if the flow was heavy or light. This way, you will be able to tell if your cycle is irregular. It will also help your health care provider to know exactly what is going on with your menstrual cycle. You can use the menstrual cycle record/calendar provided to keep track.
What if I skip a period?
If you miss your period, it could be because of some change in your body or in your life. If you are under stress, you've been sick, or you've lost weight, you may skip a period. It is common to skip a period once in a while, especially during the first year that you are getting it. But if you are having unprotected sexual intercourse or close sexual contact, or if your birth control method has failed, it could also be that you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, it is very important to go to the drugstore and buy a home pregnancy test, or better yet, see your health care provider. If you skip several periods, you should talk to your health care provider and see why this is happening.
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Updated: 5/12/2005
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