TeenHealthFX - Answers - Haven't Gotten My Period In 4 Months

Females: Your Period / Question
Published: May 5, 2008

Dear TeenHealthFX,

hey, I haven't gotten my period in 4 months. I really have to stress, I'm Not Pregnant! I'm still a virgin, I don't have a boyfriend. I'm 15 and I've had my period since I was 10. I've told my mom, but she said that my cycle just isn't regualar yet. I can understad that, but 4 months just seems really long. The only changes that I can think of in my life is just some more stress, b/c of AP exams soon, and I started mastrabateing more. I'm worried, but I don't think my mom is enough. is this a practical worry? Thanks alot

Signed: Haven't Gotten My Period In 4 Months

Dear Haven't Gotten My Period In 4 Months,

If you have had your period for five years and it has never been this irregular, then TeenHealthFX recommends that you go to see a doctor about your menstrual cycle. If you went four months without getting your period soon after the onset of menstruation (menarche), you could easily chalk it up to the typical kind of irregularity that can happen for young women right after they first start menstruating. But since you’ve already been menstruating for so many years, and because it sounds like going four months without your period is unusual for you, this does warrant a visit to the doctor.

You mention being under a lot of stress with your AP exams coming up – and it is important to know that stress is one of many factors that can impact a woman’s menstrual cycle. Other factors include a poor diet and not getting enough nutrition, over-exercising, and various underlying medical conditions. While the stress you are currently under may be the culprit here, FX cannot give you and accurate diagnosis over the web. The best thing to do is to have a doctor assess the situation in terms of what is causing the problem and what needs to be done to rectify it – this will help to calm your worries, as well as ensure your ongoing physical well-being.

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-6475 for an appointment or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network primary care physicians or gynecologists.

Signed: TeenHealthFX