Females: Your Period / Question
Published: September 26, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I got my period when I was 12 and had it for 2 months, then skipped, had it again, then skipped. But I haven't had mine for 3 or 4 months now. I haven't been sexually active and I'm now 13. My friend says that her sister goes for 6 or 7 months at a time and that I shouldn't worry-but I am worried-please help! I realize that this is common in the first years of your period, but still I am worried.
Signed: Extremely Worried About Period
Dear Extremely Worried About Period,
TeenHealthFX understands your worries but wants you to try and rest easy. You are totally correct when you point out that a girl's period will usually tend to be irregular for the first year of her cycle. Then it will gradually become more regular. Regular does not always mean every 30 days though. Each woman has her own cycle that can be every 21 to 35 days, but as you mentioned in your question some woman only get their period every other month or only a few months a year. As long as they have seen their doctor about their cycles, it should be fine. What is regular for you might be irregular for another woman. Start keeping track of exactly when you period starts and ends each month on a calendar.
If after a year your cycles are still very irregular or you do not get your period for six months then it would be a good idea to see a doctor. If you do not have a doctor or gynecologist and live in the Northern New Jersey area you can contact the Adolescent Young Adult Center for Health at 973.889.6350 or Girl's Street- A Young Woman's Health Program at 908.522.2555. Show them the calendar that you have kept of your cycles and they will be able evaluate your periods for you and give you suggestions about how to deal with them.
Take care and good luck!
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Most smokers begin smoking as teens, and the average age of initiation is 12.5 years of age.
