You Want Regular Periods, Right? Tips for Regulating Your Cycle
When You Want Regular Periods...
Of course you want regular periods: they help you get pregnant, help stop unwanted pregnancy, and generally make life easier, healthier, and happier.
These tips for regulating your menstrual cycle are based on the most common questions I get from my readers.
Not getting your period for six months goes beyond “just” having irregular periods. Not getting your period is called amenorrhea — a total absence of menstruation. Irregular periods or oligomenorrhoea is when you get your period every month (more or less), but it comes at totally different times and at different flows (heavy one month, light the next).
My favorite book about women’s health and menstruation is The Venus Week: Discover the Powerful Secret of Your Cycle…at Any Age, because it goes beyond a woman’s cycle! It describes how to get regular periods, but it’s also about empowering us women to accept our amazing bodies.
Here are several questions about and tips for regulating your menstrual cycle…
Tips for Regulating Your Menstrual Cycle – Get Regular Periods
Many women experience one or two irregular periods every six months. This isn’t usually caused by a serious medical condition, but if you’re worried about your period or other health issue, don’t wait to see your family doctor or gynecologist! Go now.
Q: I’m 20 years old and I haven’t had my period in several months…I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I don’t have the money for a doctor visit and I’m scared something is wrong with me.
A: Look for a free medical or health clinic for women in your area. Your health is too precious to ignore! Some clinics offer free physical checkups at no charge, but it depends where you live. I suggest calling your local women’s help line for information on free or low-cost physician visits.
If you have don’t have a regular period, you first need to determine the cause of your irregular menstrual cycle.
The most common cause of infrequent periods is polycystic ovaries. About 10% of women are affected by this common health condition, which causes very small (less than 1 cm) cysts on the ovaries. It’s associated with a hormone imbalance.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome leads to irregular ovulation and an irregular menstrual cycle. To diagnose polycystic ovaries, you need one or more blood tests to measure hormones. And, a pelvic ultrasound scan of the ovaries is often taken as an additional test.
Seeing a doctor in person really is the most important thing you can do to get your menstrual cycle regular again! And, the standard health advice always applies: to balance your hormones and regulate your menstrual cycle, get regular exercise (but don’t exercise excessively), eat a healthy diet, get the sleep your body needs, and deal with stress in healthy ways. And, if you’re taking prescription medication, find out if it affects your hormones (which affects your period).
If you want to get pregnant, read When You Can’t Predict Your Periods and Want to Get Pregnant.
Making Spotty Periods Regular
Q: I’m almost 19 and my periods have never been regular. I have anemia and sometimes my periods will skip 2-3 months or just be a few weeks late. What could be causing this and what is a safe way to regulate my periods?
If you’re anemic, then you don’t have enough iron in your body to support regular periods. To make your period regular, you need to figure out the cause of the anemia (low body weight? blood loss from another health issue?), and treat that. And, you need to take iron pills or eat iron-rich foods to boost your iron levels. Both these suggestions require a visit to the doctor, I think. Some pharmacies won’t sell iron pills without a doctor’s prescription (depending on where you live). So, get thee to a doctor and get your anemia checked and treated….
Also, your hormones influence menstruation. If your hormones aren’t in balance, your period won’t be regular. If your periods are irregular, ask your doctor to measure the hormones in your blood. A test like this will help determine if you have a serious hormonal problem. But, note that some doctors belief that since “normal” varies greatly with regard to women’s hormones, blood tests may not be the best measure of the more subtle imbalances in your cycle. If you have irregular cycles, you need to talk to your doctor to determine the best tests.
Resources for Different Types of Menstrual Problems
Age and Irregular Menstruation
Q: I’m 37 and have two children. Could my irregular periods be because I am getting older?
Our bodies — and our menstrual cycles — definitely change as we age. Many women have irregular periods in their teens, and more regular ones as they reach their early 20s. Other women, however, always have irregular periods no matter what…and still others are like clockwork from day one!
Weight also influences hormonal balance and menstruation. If you’re overweight or underweight, your hormones will stop working properly and your periods might stop altogether. Recent research has also shown that obesity can throw hormones out of balance and make it harder for women get pregnant.
Stress also affects the hormones. Many women find that if they are worried about something, it can influence menstruation. In some cases, a woman’s period might actually stop if she is very worried about whether she is pregnant!
Periods, Fertility, and Dairy Products
Q: I’ve read that low-fat dairy products actually increase infertility risks while full-fat dairy products reduce them. Could incorporating a little full-fat dairy into my diet help regulate my menstrual cycle?
Yes, research that indicates that full-fat dairy products can increase fertility levels. Incorporating a little fat into your diet may help regulate your period. Balanced, regular hormones lead to a regular menstrual cycle (including ovulation and fertility, which helps you get pregnant!). The way dairy products are processed (to make dairy low fat) may affect the proteins, which in turn affects our hormones.
If you have any questions or thoughts about regular periods, please comment below…
Category: Female Infertility Tips, Periods and Menstrual Cycles
hi mam ,mi age 23 i too having this same problem 4months did get periods its giving tension and mental problem ,under stomach swelling legs,stomach,back bone hips and al paining plc give any solution for mi irregular periods
hi my names ashley im 19 This is weird im irregualr started when i wwas in 5th grade n now this year started 2012 yr i started on dec 20?? somethng n i ended on the 1 of jan.2012 n this month feb 1.2012 i started n idk whats wrong n starting to form a pregnant lady stomach and everybody is noticing n i took a pregnancy test and its negative
hai am 23years of age. my problem is not come in periods in last 5 months what i do? plz give any tips for me
Hi, i am 24 yrs old.. I got my 1st periods when i was 13 yr old… Since then i hd a problem of irregular periods.. Sumtimes it use 2 happen on a regular basis n sumtimes i would not get periods for 3 o 4 months… In 2011 i was working for night shifts n problem has grown along with nightshift… I have got mine last periods on oct 30th of last yr,, n in between i have also started getting 4 o 5 dark hairs below my chin… M worried… I am engaged now n will b married soon… Will this affect my pragnency in future???? Plz help me…. I am worried
I’m 23 years old. My cycle has always been regular, but it is now January 25th and I haven’t had a cycle since November 24th. I went to the doctor and my results for my pap came back normal and the doctor said it may just be stress. I was thinking it could be irriation of my bv in which I have always struggled with, but apple cider vingar baths seemed to help that. There is no possible way I can be prego because the one time had sex was when I was 20. I have had at least two paps since then and was tested for the evil twins (c and g) for precaution. The doctor also gave me some birth control to help my regulation, but I need to have a cycle before taking them and going to my follow up in a few months. I’m bloated in my stomach. I know my body and take very good care of myself so it just seems very odd to me. Any suggestions?!?
im 17 years old, and i havent had my period in about 7 months nad its kinda scaring me a bit. i dont know if something is wrong with me. what can i possibly do to make my periods irregular again?
why does it take so much time for u to reply ????
I’m 20 yrs old and for the past 2 months my period being lasting for a month and i already have a ultra sound and blood draw requested by my doctor but he said everything look ok and i’m started to get real freak out. Is there something wrong with me??!!!
i’m 18…my period has always been irregular…my last period was in october of 2011 …now i am worried that something is really wrong with my body and menstrual periods. what should i do?
When the car go up and down on the road, I have pelvic pain.The pain is like when you want to urinate.When it is high like riding a viking’s ship,it feels like there is nothing in the pelvic area. Can I know what is happening to me and what will control that pain.
I am 11 years old in 2012 January and I have started my periods since 2009.when my periods start, I got my periods every 2 months.then after 6 months of that,my periods stop about for 4 months.Then I drank iron supplement named Ferrovit.It was given by my sister who is a pharmacist.Then after 2 to 3 weeks my periods return.It was heavy and long.It lasts for 9 days and had soaked 25 pads!Then I don’t get the period regularly again.Then after that I don’t have my period till now.I have my last period in November 2011.I have lots of vaginal discharge.My mom do not let me go to a gynecologist so can someone help me by telling what medicine will help me and what condition is happening to me.
Hi.. I got married two months before and am 26. I have hormonal imbalance problem and am on treatment. Doctor gave me pills tablet for 3 months. Will it regulate my cycle. Please give me correct solutions.
i hv irregular periods last month i hv my period in 15 days mow it is delaying now i passed 32 days i will not come wat should i do?
hi ,
i am having light periods since 20 days …i am 15 years old ….wt may be the reasons?
I’m amazed to see how many comments. It’s reassuring to see them really, to know we’re all on the same boat…which sails across the red flow. Haha, sorry if anyone is disturbed by that image!
I’d like to ask if there’s anything you recommend to decrease clotting?
Thank you
JC
Hello,
I am 15yrs old and I have had my period for 3 weeks now
It has happened before.
Sometimes I don’t get my period for 2-3 months.
And i don’t ever have sex. I don’t know what to do?
Please help!
I miss periods for normally 2-3 months or 4-6 months and when I come on my period I have bad pains, I don’t get how I don’t use anything or I’m not on anything I’m surprised I ain’t fell pregnant but I don’t no what to do to get a normal period flow but I went to the doctors and they said I was normal “/ HELP PLEASE (=
i m 23year old girl and my problem is i m not getting my period reguarly from many year. pls tel me what should i do
i m 23year old girl and my problem is i m not getting my period reguarly from many year. pls tel me what should i do
Hi I have been super confused about my period this has never happened to me before until maybe the last 2 months. I got my period nov 20th as usual and thought nothing of it. Than all of a sudden I got what seemed to be my period again on dec the 7th but it was a brownish red that last another week. Than a week later I started bleeding again and hasent stopped it’s been about nine days of bleeding. It’s not heavy enough for a pad or tampon but is still there I have to change my paniliner all day. I have no cramps or bloating or any signs that I usually get when it my “actual” period I’m 21 an have recently lost alot of weight within about 4 or 5 months I used to weigh 140 n now am down to about 115 idk if this is causing all of my bleeding or wht? I’m really scared and don’t know what to think?? Again this has Never happened so if anyone knows plez help:/
i’m 19
sometimes i got period just 1per year and also have done hormone test. n everything was normal.but i my cycle still irregular.what should i do?!?
hi
i am 18 year old unmarried girl.i did not get my periods from last 1 year .what can i do .plz tell me .i am very scared about it.
hello,
i am 20yrs old… i have irregular periods (i dont know if they were always irregular cuz i didnt care when i was young) but now that i am married and want to start a family, i am worried that we might not have kids…
we have been married for 2yrs and have NEVER used protection and still NEVER gotten pregnant..
My periods would go for 3months (as normal) then skip 3months and so on… the first day i get my period after the 3months without having is very painful..
i have gone to see an OGBYN once he asked me bout having hairs around my nipples (which i do) but i was embarrassed to tell him so i didnt tell him… he said it had something to do with the polyic somehting ovaries … idk…. he made an appt for me to get blood work done 2 see my hormone leaves but my insurance did not cover it so i cancelled my appt
wt should i do??
hello
I have a question that why the peroide come before date? its show that anything is wrong with body? please if someone know that so please answer me.
Hi i’m 23 yrs old i am 115-120 pounds. I have had my peroid regular until iwas 21 then i started skiping every mth for over a yr and then it started back regular without the pain like before until this sept which was my last one (2 -3 mths late). I havent had it till now n i am very worried. I am a little stressed because of a few things, i started gaining a little n i stomach looks as if i am 5 mths pregant, but i am definately not cause i am a virgin. Oh i started eating a little more than before. Didnt c a doctor cause of money. Plz tell me what u can n if something is wrong or if i can do something to get back my regular peroid.
Good day Dr… Dr my case goes thus… I am 24yrs old,
Änd my period is irregular, the last time i saw my period was
On the 10th of October 2011, which makes it 2month from now.
Now i feel so depressed because i am getting married soon,†ђξ list month that i ever missed my period is a month, but till i am writting to you now, i am yet to see my period…
I actually thought i was pregnant, and i went to see my Dr for pregnancy test, but i felt so disappointed knowing that i am not… Dr pls help me with the tips i need to get pregnant and also to regulate my period… Less i forget, my weight is 75… Thanks in advance Dr, i hope to read from you soon…
Hi my gf has been going over 3months w/o her period n then wen she does it can last as much as 1year an even longer. She says that’s how its always been since she was a teen n the docs don’t know wats wrong. Her eggs r jus fine, but she’s jus infertile. We’re not trying to have a baby, jus trying to figure out wat our options would be ahead of time (an surgery isn’t the answer, she’s 24). They even said her filopian tubes r fine as well, only that her hormone lvls r off (something bout havin to much of a sertain kind, I don’t remember). Is there a way we could help her achive more “normal” periods so she won’t bleed so much as well as increase her fertility naturally, because there’s so many meds that can really screw w/a womans body (plus sertain meds they gav made her throw up blood)
hi , mam i have irregular periods but i checked my weight its all perfect i even visited the doctor and she gave some iron and multivitamin tablets than after using it ………..for 2 months its fine again im having the same problem ..im im 20 yrs .pls let me know mam?
hi dr iam 27years old iam dipration patient i have two children my period isnt regular my dr says to that you have harmonal problem . and i have use copertie [a diviece for birth control] before periods date like 3 or 4days before i feel diprees. can u plz tell me what should i do wich dr i should go gynecologist or any dipretion dr plz reply me.
I am 30 years old nd iam not getting periods regularly;my gynic told that i have got PCOD, i want to get pregnancy as early as possible. how do i become pregnant faster and regularize my menstual cycle.
Thanking you,
nimmi
hi dr happy to read your advices but my problem is little change i have irregular period and some month skip periods i consult many many dr and i eat many medicine and alot of blood test and other test etc but no solved my problem i still have some time 2 or 3 month ok after medicine but not longer and after dr says to me u are over wait thats why but i told her when my period is not coming my wait day by day increase so what can i do and another problem when period is not coming my legs and my whole body is all the time feel so tired and my legs is not working i will not go out side and upstairs and when my period is come my all sickness and tiredness finish and my period is very low 1 or 2 days tell me what i do and i don t want pregnency i have 5 kids and 32years old please help me because i m fadup any gaynacologist.
The best way to get help if your period isn’t regular is to see a gynecologist or doctor in person. If you’re not getting your period, or if it’s not the way it usually is, then you need to get a physical examination in person.
It’s not possible to get good medical advice that pertains to your body over the internet! You can get facts and opinions on the internet, such as these tips for getting a regular period, but you can’t get solid health advice that is specific to YOUR body.
If you want to regulate your cycle, you need to see a doctor in person. Be careful about asking for medical help on the internet, because the person giving it has no idea what’s going on in your body.
I’m sorry I don’t have any easy answers or quick fixes. I wish I did!
Blessings,
Laurie
Hello
I am 18 yrs an i havent had my period in bout 2 months…i kno 4 a fact that im not preg.i also have exams coming up so im pretty stressed.but the reason im concerned is that my period wasn’t always irregular but this is the longest it has ever been delayed..im kinda scared about this.plz help me
Q: I’m 23 yrs old and my periods have never been regular. Sometimes my periods will skip 2-3 months. and 2 to 3 time i consult with doctor she gives me medican when i take these medican i have periods others wise did,t come. Thats why i m too much worried because i m not over weight and i have no tension no stress my diet is also good. kindly tell me What could be causing this and what is a safe way to regulate my periods?
Regards
fari
I am a teenager.i was obese few months ago so i started dieting. now i am really skinny and miss my menses for three months.i am really depressed and worried.i have consulted doctors and tried few medications but they dont seem to work.please help me.
Dear Keerthana,
Weight gain and obesity can stop women from getting regular periods, no matter how much they want them!
I think your first step should be to go the doctor, and get help with your weight problem. Once you lose weight, your hormones may become more balanced and you may get regular periods.
Have you been to a doctor or gynecologist yet?
Blessings,
Laurie
am 18yr old gal n am obese my periods r vry irregular… so hw cn i hav my periods regularly…please help me wit this… am vry much dispressd abot dis matter… please help me please
Hello Tag,
To get regular periods and regulate your menstrual cycle, you need to eat healthy foods, watch your weight, get enough exercise, and keep your stress levels low. The best way to get a regular cycle is to stay as healthy as possible, because good health balances hormones (which leads to regular periods).
Blessings,
Laurie
Hey! I am 14 i have regular period till august but in september it didn’t come at time what can i do to bring it back naturally without visiting to a doctor
Hi everyone,
I really wish I could tell you how you can get regular periods, but I can’t! To make your menstrual cycle regular and healthy, you need to visit a gynecologist or doctor in person.
If you’ve already visited a gynecologist or doctor and your periods STILL aren’t regular, then you need to get a second opinion, or visit a naturopathic doctor.
I’m sorry, but I can’t give personal medical health advice. This article about regulating your menstrual cycle is for general purposes, and I can’t offer individual health tips.
Blessings,
Laurie
i am 27 yrs old..i was married befor 14 months..we r deciding for a baby..so kindly tell me which day i’ll concive during my periods??
im 20 years of age.. me and my husband are trying to get pregnent for 1yr 6 months.. bt didnt work it.. i have irregular period.. and it goes 3 and 4 months.. i have shown doctor and took medicine.. doctor told me after getting 5 days s’ medicine i must get period within one day. bt.. didnt.. pls tell me wat can i do?