A Woman's most favorite week!

First off I am 22 and have never had a regular cycle. It has been 3 months since my last period (No I know I am not pregnant!). I have skipped a long while before but geesh. Does age ever make you regular? In 2007 I hadn't had a period in about 2 months and went to GYN. She gave me birth control and also suspected thyroid issues because of me being on Lithium (didn't help me anyway!) Turns out I had a underactive thyroid. Since then I have been taking the meds to correct that and have had no other problems-all is normal now. In February this year...same thing and got birth control. Had to stop taking it because of work and all.

What do I do? Is it bad for the body not to have a regular period? Should I do anything about it or just flow with it?

Are you having any abdominal pain?

I think 12 weeks is a long time to go without a period. If you have had this happen before, and you're concerned that something is wrong, ask your GYN to approve you for an abdominal or pelvic ultrasound. I've had both of these - they don't hurt, they're just uncomfortable.

Hi Hallie,


When I was your age, my cycle used to be around 40 days and sometimes I'd have a period every other month. I was very physically active in my 20's and very thin, so this was the reason why my periods were irregular. As I got older my periods started appearing at normal intervals of every 27 - 30 days.

Anyway... in answer to your question, yes irregular periods can be bad, only because they can interfere with your body's ability to absorb and re-use calcium.

Throughout your life, your bones are constantly be built, torn down, and rebuilt and if you're not having periods, it's sort of like your bones are in a menopause phase where they are losing too much calcium and not getting enough back.

So yes, if you are skipping or missing your periods DO to tell your GYN about this. Also make sure you have plenty of dairy products in your diet and get regular exercise!!

Dairy products (such as skim milk and low fat cheese) are good for increasing your calcium levels and exercise -- particularly if it is weight bearing like walking, running, or lifting weights is a good way to strengthen your bones because such exercises signal to your body that more calcium is needed in those areas of your skeleton that are getting stressed from your workouts.

Well Im not having pain like usual menstral cramps...because I rarely do and when it occurs they are usually pretty dull and annoying. But lately every once in a while I get a cramp-like pang in same area. At times it hurts but doesn't really linger very long. Does that mean anything? I had a pelvic exam in February at a Health Department by a nurse. She said she thought everything was ok and just prescribed birth control. Can psych meds cause this or do you think its just me? Is this gonna affect me later in life? Bah!

Halliebeth, you are a crack-up! "flow with it," indeed. And "geesh". I haven't heard that one for awhile, and I know that you are young. You had to stop taking birth control because of work??? That one stumped me. I stopped having periods very early - probably early 30's if not before. Don't know why, and don't know if it is bad for your body. But the above responders seem to have that rounded up. Just wanted to express appreciation for someone who can laugh at their concerns! lol. billieJ

AH! You got it! lol I meant,...*ahem!* That the health dept only gives u 4 months at a time of birth control and u have to go back for appt before u can get the rest of the 8 months. I got a new job and didnt have a day I could go to get the rest so I ended up not taking it after 4 months.

bahahahahahahaha what else is there to do but chuckle?

if ur under weight this can stop periods. If you only just started getting your period it can be irregular for the first few years. U said your not pregnant but maybe you should do a test just to make sure. . I don't know what else is causing it. It can affect you later in life if you want to have children and your not having a regular cycle. Think you should in to the doctor.

A) I am 22 and Ive had my period since I was 14,

B) I am fat.

C) I know I am not pregnant. Im a virgin.

ok. Well i'm out of ideas. I hope you figure it out soon.

*hug* thanks

i'm not a medical professional but you might also want to look into pcos.

Thats scary. I have some of those symptoms.

Monthly periods aren't truly natural. They're a product of our society. Women in many other cultures only get their periods every few months, having three or four periods a year. You can take birth control pills in a way (as instructed by your gynecologist; different types of bc pills have different instructions) so you can avoid your period for three or four months. It's not harmful, and comes with the same benefits as taking the Pill regular. I did it for a few years before age 35, and it was great...thinking of asking to do it again, if I can get a regular schedule so I can take them at the same time everyday.