Irregular cycles in the first years

Your first period came, and then nothing for two months. Or it came twice this month. This can be worrying, but it is very common in the first few years.

Your cycle is run by hormone signals between your brain and ovaries. This system has only just started up, and it needs time to settle. For many girls it takes a few years for periods to become regular.

• Cycles can be anywhere from 21 to 45 days.
• The length can change from one month to the next.
• A period can last 2 days one time and 7 the next.
• The amount of blood can vary.
• You might sometimes skip a month.

Write down the first and last day of each period. This helps in two ways. You get a rough idea of when the next one might come, and if you ever need a doctor, you will have exact information.

App predictions can be wrong in the early years, because your cycle hasn't settled yet. So keep your kit in your bag all the time.

• A lot of stress
• Losing weight quickly or eating too little
• Very hard training
• Not enough sleep
• Being ill or travelling

Your body needs enough food for periods to work normally. If you cut back on food to lose weight, periods can stop. That is a sign your body is struggling, and a doctor needs to know.