I'm 19. Is it Normal to Still Have Irregular Periods?
I'm 19 years old and my period has been irregular since I first got it 5 years
ago. Is this normal? – Clare*
It is normal to have irregular
periods for the first few years of menstruating — and sometimes even longer. But
the only way to know if everything's OK is to visit your doctor or
. The length of a menstrual cycle can vary from girl to girl, but
on average they're usually between 21 and 35 days.
A number of things can cause irregular periods:
A girl may have something going on with her
. Excessive exercise,
not eating enough calories, or being underweight or overweight can also affect a girl's
cycle. So can medicines or drugs (like steroids).
Because you've had irregular periods for more than 3 years, see your doctor or
nurse practitioner to find out what's causing them. He or she may be able to prescribe
medicines to help correct a medical problem. Or, if things like exercise or eating
habits are behind your irregular periods, your doctor may give you ideas for some
changes.