It's common, especially in the first 2 years after a girl starts getting her period, to skip periods or to have irregular periods. Illness, rapid weight change, or stress can also make things more unpredictable. That's because the part of the brain that regulates periods is influenced by events like these.
Skipping periods is common during the first 1 or 2 years after they start. It doesn't mean anything serious or cause any harm. A girl can normally go up to 6 months between the first and second periods. Also, a girl can go up to 4 months between the second and third periods.
Your first period might not last very long, as it can take your body some months to get into a regular pattern. As a general rule, once they're settled, you'll have a period every 23 to 35 days and it will last 2 to 7 days.
It's not unusual to miss periods or to have an irregular menstrual cycle — especially in the first couple of years after you've begun having your period. Many girls also notice changes in the flow and duration of their periods from month to month.
If you have questions or concerns about when you'll get your period, talk to your doctor. And let your doctor know if you don't get your period by the time you're 15, or by 3 years after you started puberty.
One of the most common complaints of adolescent girls is irregular, profuse menstruation, called dysfunction uterine bleeding (DUB). The most common cause for DUB is when a woman's ovaries don't release an egg. Not ovulating causes her period to come later or earlier, and heavier than usual.
A normal cycle for teens lasts about 21 to 45 days. Count from the first day of one menstrual period until the first day of your next period to find the number of days in your cycle. You may have no discomfort during your menstrual cycles. Or you may have mild to severe symptoms.
How Long Do Periods Last? Periods usually last about 5 days. But a period can be shorter or last longer.
Causes of missed or late periods
being pregnant. stress. the start of menopause (perimenopause), usually between the ages of 45 and 55. polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
If a person misses a period and is not pregnant, it could be due to situational factors such as increased stress, intense exercise, starting new hormonal birth control, or experiencing sudden weight changes.
Females usually experience their fastest growth spurt around age 11 or 12. After menstruation starts, it is typical to grow another 7 cm (2.75 inches) in height. It is also typical for females to gain weight during puberty. Usually, females reach adult height around age 14 or 15.
Changes in your child's height and weight caused by increases in bone, muscle and fat are the most immediate signs that your child is experiencing a growth spurt.
In the years leading up to your first period, you'll notice changes in your nipples, chest and pubic hair. Your body will become more like an adult, and becoming pregnant will become possible. For most people, these changes become noticeable around ages 8–10, but can happen earlier or later than that (1,2).
Important points: The mean age at first period now stands at 13.1; that is, by this age, half of girls have already had their period. The average age at first period is 12.6; it is at this age, on average, that a girl has her first period.
The average age for periods to begin is 12. But they may start as early as 8 or as late as 16, and still be considered within the normal range. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long, irregular cycles are common and not cause for concern.
If you notice your cycle repeatedly getting irregular, this could be an indication of underlying abnormalities or conditions like PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, thyroid conditions, etc. Consult your doctor to get a medical opinion to detect or rule out any serious health condition.
During your lifetime, your cycle will change and evolve. This can be due to normal age-related hormonal changes or other factors such as stress, lifestyle, medications, and some medical conditions. Sometimes your cycle can change suddenly. It can be hard to know if it's something that you need to worry about or not.
About 6 months to 1 year before a girl gets her first period, her body may start to make vaginal discharge.
Speak to your doctor if:
You're not pregnant and: you have started your period but haven't had one for a while (around 3 to 6 months) you bleed between your period, after sex or after the menopause. you experience irregularities with your periods for example the number of days in between your period keeps changing.
“On average, these cycles are 28 days long, but can range from 21 to 35 days.” That means that a 28-day cycle one month and a 26-day cycle the next month is probably nothing to worry about. But your period might be considered late if: It's been more than 35 days since your last period.
Irregular periods are not always a cause for concern. Periods that stop and the restart are often the result of normal hormone fluctuations during menstruation. A person should see a doctor or gynecologist if these irregularities occur with every period, or if they experience other symptoms.
Researchers and physicians hypothesized about possible causes for the increase in early puberty, such as increasing rates of obesity; greater exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in food, plastics, and personal-care products; and stressful or abusive home environments.