I'm Not Sexually Active, But I Missed My Period

Published: June 23, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm 13 years old and I have been getting my period for a while now (regularly), but for some reason... I missed my period. I HAVE struggled with Anxiety and Stress lately but it's been 2 weeks and I haven't had it yet. I also have been noticing that my stool is green & that I've been urinating much more frequently. The only answer I can find online is that I'm pregnant. But, I'm not sexually active (I'm a Virgin). Please help me because I don't want to talk to my mom about this! (Embarrassing) PLEASE!!!!!!! --Anonymous
Signed: I'm Not Sexually Active, But I Missed My Period

Dear I'm Not Sexually Active, But I Missed My Period,

TeenHealthFX can understand that this is concerning to you, so we are glad that you reached out to us for help with this. FX would like to reassure you that the symptoms you are describing are very common and that you will be okay!

To start, if you have never been sexually active then you would NOT be pregnant. There are several things other than pregnancy that can cause late or irregular periods. You already named one – stress. Stress can definitely have an impact on our physical well-being. It can disrupt a normal menstrual cycle. It can even weaken our immune system making us more susceptible to getting sick. So if you have been particularly anxious and stressed lately, it is very possible that is what is affecting your cycle.

As for the color change of your stool, stool can sometimes turn a greenish color when a person has diarrhea. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of things such as eating food that has gone bad, a viral or bacterial infection, or being lactose intolerant. In terms of the frequent urination, there are various causes for this, too. Generally speaking, a person should make an appointment with their doctor if they are urinating more frequently with no apparent cause, in a way that disrupts sleep or daily functioning, and with any other problematic symptoms (such as a fever, painful urination or change in urine color).

Given these symptoms, FX suggests that you meet with your primary care physician or an adolescent medicine specialist so you can find out what’s going on and put your mind at ease with all of this. A doctor would be able to determine the cause of your symptoms (whether they are due to stress or perhaps from a simple viral or bacterial infection) and offer treatment suggestions if needed.

While FX can absolutely appreciate that you feel embarrassed to talk about this with your mom, it is really important that you let her know. For one thing, she can schedule an appointment and take you in to see your doctor.  Secondly, she can help you with the stress and anxiety that you have been feeling. She can give you some comfort and suggestions of how to deal with it and she can even schedule an appointment with a therapist to see if therapy would help reduce the intensity and frequency of anxiety and stress you have been experiencing. Your mom cares about you and would not want to think of you dealing with this all alone. And she can probably understand and relate to what you are going through more than you imagine.

For more information on dealing with anxiety talk to your doctor and/or a therapist and read the TeensHealth article, 5 Ways to Deal with Anxiety.

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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