Irregular Periods


We hear a lot about the menstrual "cycle," which can make it sound as
though it happens like clockwork. And we say that a woman who gets her
period every 4 weeks is "regular," as though there's something abnormal
about women who don't. In fact, most women don't get their periods in
exactly the same number of days after the last one.

The Menstrual Cycle



Most girls get their first period between the ages of 10 and 15, but
some get it earlier and some later. The first period is known as menarche (pronounced: meh-nar-kee).

Doctors often talk about a girl's monthly cycle — the number of days
from the start of her period to the start of the next one — in terms of a
28-day cycle. But 28 is just an average figure that doctors use.
Women's cycle lengths vary — some have a 24-day cycle, some have a
34-day cycle. And a girl may notice that her cycles are different
lengths each month — especially for the few years after she first starts
getting her period.

The first day a girl's period comes is Day 1 of her cycle. Early in
her cycle, her pituitary gland tells her ovaries to start preparing one
of the eggs they contain for release. One egg will mature completely. At
the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thick to prepare a
nesting place for a fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes
pregnant.

On or about Day 14 of a 28-day cycle, the egg breaks loose (this is called ovulationovulation).
The egg makes its way through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If
the egg isn't fertilized by sperm, it starts to fall apart. About 2
weeks later, the lining and egg leave a girl's body as her period and
the whole thing starts all over again — that's why we use the word
"cycle."

All this sounds very neat and orderly. But a girl's body may not
follow this schedule exactly. It's not unusual, especially in the first 2
years after menarche, to skip periods or to have an irregular menstrual
cycle. Illness, rapid weight change, or stress can also make things
more unpredictable because the part of the brain that regulates periods
is influenced by events like these.A Normal Period Doesn't Have to Be Regular

Some girls' periods arrive like clockwork. Others get theirs at
slightly different times each month. Many girls get regular periods most
of the time, but occasionally skip a period or get an extra period
during times of pressure or stress. In fact, you may notice that when
you go on a trip or have a major change in your schedule your period is
late. All of this is perfectly normal.

It's also normal for the number of days a girl has her period to
vary. Sometimes a girl may bleed for 2 days, sometimes it may last a
week. That's because the level of hormones the body manufactures can be
different from one cycle to the next, and this affects the amount and
length of bleeding.

So how can you tell when you're about to get your period? If your
cycle is not regular, you'll want to pay attention to the clues your
body may give you. These may include:

• back cramps or stiffness
  
• heavier breasts or breast soreness
  
• headaches
  
• acne breakouts
  
• disturbed sleep patterns
  
• mood swings
  
• bloating
  

Most of the time, irregular periods are part of the normal changes
that can happen when you're a teen. At some point as you get older, your
cycle will probably settle into a recognizable pattern. This usually
happens by 3 years after your first period.

However, some teens may develop irregular periods — or stop having
periods altogether — as a result of certain medications, excessive
exercise, very low body weight, or not eating enough calories. Others
may develop problems as a result of a hormone imbalance. For example,
disorders of the thyroid gland can cause menstrual irregularities if the
levels of thyroid hormone in the blood become too low or too high.

Some women have irregular periods because their bodies produce too
much androgen, which is a hormone that causes increased muscle mass,
facial hair, and deepening of the voice in males and the development of
pubic hair and increased height in girls. High amounts of androgen can
also cause hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and abdomen, and is
sometimes associated with excessive weight gain.

If you have any of these problems, or if your periods are irregular
for 3 years or more, see a doctor. The doctor may prescribe hormone
pills or other medications or recommend lifestyle changes that can help
you to have regular periods.

It's important to see a doctor if you're sexually active and have
missed a period. This could be a sign of pregnancy. You should also see
your doctor if you start having periods that last longer than 7 days,
are heavy, are occurring more often than every 21 days or less often
than every 45 days, or are accompanied by severe cramping or abdominal
pain. Also let the doctor know if you have bleeding in between your
periods.

In the meantime, if your periods are irregular, try keeping some pads
or tampons in your backpack, just so you'll have them handy in case
your period comes when you're not expecting it.