Missed Period in AdolescentsBACK

Menarche is the period when a girl starts menstruating for the first time. It indicates that she has taken her first step towards transformation from a girl to being called an adolescent. This occurs around the age of 10 to 14 years due to hormonal changes along with other physical changes in the body. One may experience delay in periods or some irregularity for some initial months. This irregularity is quite common in the early years and reduces with passage of time. Sometimes a girl can get frequent periods with very little gap in between. Sometimes she might not get her periods for many days. This is called a missed period in adolescents, and it is natural among young girls due to hormonal adjustments by the body. It is very natural for a girl to get confused if there is a missed period. A mother can be a strong support for her daughter during this time when she is going through an emotional roller coaster ride. There are few signs that her body will start showing before the next period. She may face:

Lower back cramps or stiffness of the body
Headaches and acne problem
Disturbance in sleep
Mood swings and breast soreness
Bloating and loose stools

A missed period is normal during the initial years, but if the girl gets involved in sex and faces a missed period, then it should be a reason for concern. Pregnancy should be ruled out as it is the most common cause of missed period. Hence, the girl should consult a doctor once she stops getting a period and had sex with someone consensually or otherwise.

Other causes of missed or irregular periods in adolescent age can be:

Ovarian cyst disease (PCOS)
Hypothyroidism
Obesity
Dieting for weight management
Systemic illnesses

At this stage, there can be many questions which come to the girl’s inquisitive mind. Some questions cannot be answered even by her mother or her friends.

It is always better to consult a gynaecologist who can answer her problems and explain in a professional way.

Doctor can address her concerns regarding