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
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
im 21 yrs of age ; me & my bf been tryin to get pregnant for 8 months now but its not happening ; i keep have irregular periods my cycles keep changing & sometimes i wud miss my period for a week & i wud think im pregnant but then my period would come on ; i keep takin pregnancy tests & they keep giving me that disappointing negative ; how can i make my period regular? can me taking birth control pills make it regular?
I started my period on the 14th of march and it ends on the 17th march,on the 1st of april i noticed blood stain on my pant and this continued till actual 28th day then i had a normal menstral flow for 5days is this normal
Shish ~ There really isn’t any way to make your period come early, other than to stay as healthy as possible. Some women don’t have regular periods no matter what they do; their bodies and hormones are just unpredictable. Other women are regular no matter what. Some women find a balanced diet, staying at a healthy weight, exercising, and dealing with stress in good ways help with regulating their periods, but others simply have irregular cycles. Which are you? It may be too soon to tell. But you may need to accept that sometimes your period will be late, early, or different than it normally is. I also encourage you to talk to a doctor if your periods are suddenly abnormal or really different than before. It could be a sign of something more – or it could just be normal. The only way to find out is to get checked!
Kayloh ~ That’s great that you’ve seen doctors, and that you got a second opinion. Good for you! I’m confused, though…did you say that you’re trying to get pregnant and you’re on the pill? I’m not sure I understood correctly.
Rashmi ~ Has your period come yet? Taking the birth control pill after unprotected sex probably won’t make it come. Let me know if it’s arrived!
Blessings,
Laurie
I’m 13 yrs old i haven’t got my periods for this month (august) yet so please give me some tips and advices or exercise so that my periods get started
hey! ive been experienced very big problems with my periods. i think ive had it at the age of 15 regulary.afta that i havnt had my periods for 3 years. the doctor subscribed me pills nd it help for about a year. i got my periods,my period cycle was reggular when i was on the pill. i stoped using the pill and it has been longer than a year now and still no period!! i went to see a doctor and he told me to use the pill agen and told me its normal for me not to have periods! i got a second opinion and got the same answer! i’m realy worried because this isnt normal too me! i’m trying to get pregnant for longer than a year now,nd still nothing! i realy,realy do need ur help. im 23 n sick of using that pill! i’m scared that i wont be able to conceive. please help me! my email account is available. thank you nd keep up ur good work!
hii
mam
i had unprotected sex wth my boyfriend on 3rd day of my period in last month…i took ipill twice within 2 days…n after 7 days i again had periods for 2 days…n upto nw i didnt get periods…today was my due..what shud i do…will i be pregnant..plz suggest me if i am then hw shud i terminate it ..plzz it will ruin my life…plzz reply me soon
Hi Naina,
I’m good, thanks for asking!
Have you got your period yet? If not, the best way to know if you’re pregnant is to get a pregnancy test.
Sometimes our periods are late, irregular, or different than usual for different reasons: stress, hormone imbalances, weight gain or loss, etc. So your late period doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant.
Make sure you take some sort of birth control in the future, so you can avoid the chance of pregnancy in the future!
Let me know if you got your period…
Blessings,
Laurie
hi Laurie,
how r u?
i had unprotected sex only once at the 4th day of my periods. i use to get regular periods. but, now 1 month plus 1 week over. till now i didn’t get periods and there is no symptoms of periods. will it leads to pregnancy? sometimes i get lower stomach pain.
recently i got married. i don’t wanna get pregnancy now itself.can u suggest me for my prob?
Hello Farah,
I’m not sure what you’re asking…but I suspect that no matter what it is, my answer is the same! If you want regular periods or want more time between pregnancies, you need to talk to your doctor. I can’t give you personal medical advice, because I don’t know what’s happening in your body.
Please go see your doctor, and let me know how it goes.
Blessings,
Laurie
hello there..i’m 29 old n mother of 2 children..i have 1st period after birth on 18 may n last period on 23 may.so maybe now i skip my period.what can i do? maybe i lot of stress think about mybe i get pregnant.or maybe take care of my children will be stressful.for your information range of i’m get pregnant before this are 1 1/2 years..so i want interval my pregnancy? can u help me..plz..
Manju ~ I’m sorry you’re not getting a regular menstrual cycle, but I can’t offer specific medical advice. The only person who can help you properly is a doctor who has examined you in person. Please go to a different doctor, and get a second opinion. Maybe you could try a naturopathic doctor, or natural herbal remedies for your period. But I can’t give you specific things to try.
Mazoomiya ~ Take a deep breath, and try not to be scared! You need to stay calm, because being afraid and anxious won’t help you get your period. Some women have late periods and even skip them altogether – it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re pregnant! I don’t know how many days it’s been since you had intercourse, but it may be time to try a pregnancy test, just to be sure. I don’t know any specific ways to get your period, other than to relax and try not to stress. Let me know how it goes.
Blessings,
Laurie
Hi iam 28years old i had a sex with my boy friend 3 days before menses date now i had a sex with condom 5 days delay from the daily date pls help me iam so scared wat am i have to do to get menses
hi i am manju priya. i am 22 years old. i didnt got regular period for last 4 month. till now i didnt got peroid. i have taken medicines also with doctor advices. but its no use. pls give any idea to solve my problem.
You’re welcome, DK! I appreciate your thank you
thank you so much for ur response..appreciate ur time and effort..love
Hello DK,
Stress can definitely cause irregular periods, and it can take a few cycles or months before things get back to normal.
I can’t suggest medication — the only time you should think about meds is after a doctor examines you in person and prescribes them.
If you haven’t gotten your period in 3 months, I encourage you to see a doctor. Maybe it’s just stress that’s causing it to be MIA, and maybe you just need another month or two to normalize. Or, maybe there’s something else going on. It’s probably easily remedied — but you really have to see a doctor in person to find out.
I hope this helps a bit, and that your period comes soon!
Blessings,
Laurie
hi laurie..i m 20 and hv irregular periods..i try hard to regularize them..m healthy..i eat well..not so regular with my iron tablets though..recently i was undergoing immense stress due to family problems..though now everything is fine..but the worry is i still hvnt got my periods..i m 3 months late..wat can be the problem with me..can u suggest medication ?
You’re welcome, Danielle! I hope it helps, and that your get regular periods right away.
OMG! Thank you so much for that WHOLE ARTICLE!! Thank you!! I feel so bad for making you write that much… BUTU REALLY
Thank you! I appreciate it 
Dear Danielle,
I’m so glad to hear you went to the doctor — good for you! That’s the best way to get regular periods.
I had so much to tell you, I write a whole article:
How to Get a Normal Monthly Period
I hope it helps…
Blessings,
Laurie
Oh, and another thing I would like to know is that, is there any other pills or medications that can be used to regulate your period other than the birth control pill?
Hello. I am 19 years old and I have had irregular periods ever since I first got my period at the age of 12. There are some months where I get it too early and some months where I don’t get any at all. I went to a doctor to check my ovaries but she said there was nothing wrong with them. She said that it was normal and that even people who get their period for once a year is also considered normal. (What?). I do not enjoy having irregular period because it’s hard for me to know whether it is period and whether it is blood from something else, you know? I am not sexually active but I do M at times. And I sometimes bleed soon after. But then when I check again, it’s period. Do you see how confused I am?! the doctor did not give me any medication as she said I don’t need to add a lot of chemicals in my body as it is. So, just to get a second opinion, what do you think I should do?
Hi Jannat,
I think you should talk to a different doctor, or a naturopathic physician. In order to get regular periods and learn if you can get pregnant, you MUST get checked out by a doctor.
You must feel scared and anxious, and my heart goes out to you. But, I can’t tell you how to get regular periods or if you’ll conceive a baby! Only a doctor can do that.
Be careful about reading stuff on the internet and applying that to your situation and body, and about taking personal medical advice from strangers online who aren’t doctors, who haven’t examined you in person.
If you haven’t seen a gynecologist, please see one as soon as you can.
Blessings,
Laurie
Hi!i have a minor problem that i had never any period until i was 19years old!so i consult to a doctor she check out my blood&hormon but everything was ok.she suggest me a medicine&after having this my period begin.but the problem is only when i take this medicine i get my period.it is continuing for 4 years.please give me some suggesion to regular my period without taking any medicine & if there will b any problem of being pregnant?pls pls pls help me.
Hi anu,
If you aren’t getting regular periods, you may find this article helpful:
5 Foods That Make Your Menstrual Cycle Regular
You should also talk to your doctor or gynecologist, and find out the reason you don’t have regular periods. Don’t just rely on information on the internet — get an in-person physical examination!
Blessings,
Laurie
my age 20. i didnt get periods around 3 months.tell some healthy tips to make regular periods
Hello Lindsay,
I encourage you to talk to a gynecologist — get a second opinion if you’ve already spoken to one.
Remember that different birth control pills have different side effects, so you may need to experiment with a low-estrogen pill, or even a different dosage of the pill you’ve already tried. But this is for you and a gynecologist to figure out together.
You might also consider talking to a naturopath, who may be able to offer natural supplements that regulate periods. Another natural way to balance your hormones is acupuncture, which doesn’t involve talking hormones.
I encourage you to research different types of natural ways to balance hormones, and talk to a few different naturopaths. The first visit is often free, and can give you a good sense of what the naturopath offers.
I hope this helps, and wish you all the best,
Laurie
Hi Laurie,
I’m 20, and I’ve never had regular periods. I get maybe one or two a year, if I’m lucky. I have tried taking the pill, but it causes too many side effects that I just can’t handle. I need a way to regulate my hormones that doesn’t involve taking hormones.
Hi Joanne,
Yes, you can track your ovulation so that you get pregnant!
Read Ovulation Predictor Kits – The Best Way to Tell If You’re Ovulating for more info.
And, you can talk to a doctor or naturopath about the best ways to regulate your menstrual cycle. Tell him or her you want regular periods because you want to get pregnant!
I hope it happens fast for you…
Best wishes,
Laurie
hi their my periods r not always on time im trying for a baby with my husband but nothing as yet is their anything i can do
Dear Shaby,
Taking a home pregnancy test might make you feel better, but you need to wait for a week after you miss a period. So yes, you should wait for your next period, and then take a pregnancy test (unless of course you get your period!).
And yes, it is possible to get pregnant even if you use a condom. They sometimes break. Going on the pill is a good way to avoid pregnancy if you’re in an intimate relationship.
Let me know how it goes!
Laurie
hi m 21yr old
i’v sex on 1st day of my period on 14th nov and 5th day of my period 18th nov and 21st nov…
though my partnr used condom during intercourse but m not so sure he didnt eject spam n my vagina or not nd i cant take a chance plz suggest me somethng for avoid being pregnent…..
m feeling vry emotional,tensed,gaining weight,my abdomen is gtn biger day by day
i didnt used ny contraceptive pills,wat sud i do now.
sud i wait fr d nxt period or go for a pregnency test
is der ny kinda possiblity becumn pregnent?????????????
plz plz plz help me out
If your periods or menstrual cycle isn’t regular, then you really need to see a doctor! There could be many reasons for painful periods, missed periods, or light bleeding….and the only way to get healthy treatments is to get checked by a medical professional.
Please don’t try to get specific medical advice from the internet — it could be harmful! You need to get advice that is directly related to you. It’s fine to get general medical advice on the internet — such as these tips for getting regular periods — but specific advice needs to come from a doctor.
Get thee to a doctor, and let me know how it goes!
Laurie
hi..im 27 yrs old and my periods have been irregular since high school.went to see a gyna and she told me im okay but what worries me is that recently it took me 8 full months without it but last month (oct)out of the blue it came back,after that i experiend sharp pains more like period pains for about a week.now in waiting to see if this month i wll get it im not on any contraception.please help this is affecting me emotinaly
hi..im 21 yrs old and my period has never been regular i had a baby when i was 18 and after i had her for birth control.I had the IUD for a year & half because i decided to get it removed because i had got a cyst and because i didnt like not getting my period well its been since Aug 2009 that i had it removed and ive only had 5 periods and 3 of those have been because my doctor put me on birth control pills so that i can get my period.I dont want to be on birth control just to get my period so if you could please help me with my problem also at the walmart pharmacy one of the pharmacyst told me that my problem can take me to go through menopause and well im too young for that please help me.
hi.. i m swetha.. my sister is rajitha.. actually.. she get mensus for almost one year.. sometimes it wont get for one year also.. last time, she got in… she is now 20 years old.. we took her to hospital for 3 times.. doctors said, she is very weak.. & they gave some syrups, medicines.. but no use.. i think it leads to a very big problem if it continues so.. so, plz i request you to giv some solutions to my sister problem…
i didnt have my periods for 3 weeks.i have low pressure.is there any effect?????
Hi Vanita,
You need to talk to your doctor about why your period is so irregular. Only a doctor can give you the physical examination you need to figure out how to conceive a baby.
I’m sorry I don’t have easy tips for you — but you need to talk to a doctor who can examine you in person.
Blessings,
Laurie
hi , i am 25 .mine problem is skip of periods from 4 months ,but i m not pregnent .i m suffering from this problem from dec2009.i also facing problems to conceive a baby, plz help me out from this problem.
Hi Denise,
I encourage you to go to a different doctor for a second opinion. You might also try a naturopathic doctor for supplements or tips on regulating your menstrual cycle.
PCOS isn’t the only reason for irregular periods — you could have imbalanced hormones, ovarian cysts, or even endometriosis (though that’s often accompanied by pain). So, I think your doctor should be testing for more than PCOS.
Don’t give up! Go to another doctor, and keep getting tested until you figure out the cause of your irregular periods. You can’t treat the problem until you know what’s causing it!
Good luck,
Laurie
im 21 years old and i have been having irregular periods since i was 17. i went to the dr they tested me for PCOS but all the tests came bak negative. i have been trying to concieve for 3 years and still nothing.one month its heavy the next its heavy then i skip and i dont even know how to tell if im ovulating at all. i want a kid more than anything in this world. what else could be causing this?
Hi jyoti and preeti,
I’m sorry to hear that your periods aren’t regular. I know how important it is to regulate your menstrual cycle, and how frustrating it is when you’re not regular!
The best way to get regular periods is to talk to a doctor — and get examined. There may be something that is stopping you from menstruating regularly, and you need to figure out what that is! Maybe eating the right foods to balance your hormones would help, maybe not…it just depends on the cause of your irregular periods.
Please go talk to the doctor. Then, come back and let me know what he or she says!
Take care,
Laurie
Hi all ,
am having this problem too, my periods r irregular since it was start but now it makes me sick by getting skip from 3 months,m gaining 5 kg of my weight b’cozof this problem , plz help me out of this plz .
iam 26 yours old and my period is irragular it will go 2-3 month and iam unmarried and becouse of that my tommy part is gaining weight and iam very upset what can i do for that?
Hi Aloe,
Congratulations on your marriage!
I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with your periods. I don’t know what the “best” cure is for polycystic ovaries, because different things work for different women. Here are some articles on PCOS treatments:
An Effective Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Treatment – Acupuncture
Yes, You Can Get Pregnant If You Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
How Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Affects Fertility
If your doctor hasn’t found a solution in 4 to 6 months, I suggest getting a second opinion. You might also want to consider a naturopathic doctor or doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
If you keep trying different things and stay positive, you will find a way to regulate your menstrual cycle! It just takes time to balance your hormones…but as soon as you do, you might find getting pregnant a whole lot easier.
Blessings,
Laurie
hi laurie,
i haven’t gotten my period for 3months that’s why ive decided to consult an OB.i was diagnosed w/ polycystic ovaries since feb this year..i took diane pills for 3 months as advised by my doctor..then i had my period for those months. after that, i was advised that we need to regulate my period before getting pregnant.. i was advised to take provera for 10 days from 16th day from the start of my period.. and i did..from that month of july, i had my period.. but come august, my period did show up again… until today.. i’ve noticed that my belly got bigger than before…i thought, i was pregnant so i took a pregnancy test but unfortunately, its negative…
maybe you could help on my case…i wanted to regulate my period again just like before.. i got married last may and we are planning to have a baby by next year… what’s the best cure for polycystic ovaries?
thanks,
Aloe – philippines
Hi Karen,
I don’t know why your period isn’t regular. Have you talked to your family doctor, had a pap smear, and maybe been tested for the usual things that cause irregular periods?
That’s the best way to get regular periods — see a doctor in person.
Blessings,
Laurie
My perios has never been regular there’s been times that I last up to around 9 months with out getting it what’s the reason for this?
Hi Kiki,
Have you talked to a gynecologist, or even or family doctor? The best way to get regular periods is to get physically checked out by a physican.
I also suggest talking to a naturopathic doctor. Your hormones may be out of wack; naturopathic medicine is all about getting balance in the body, which will regulate your hormones and period.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
Laurie
I’m 26 mother of 3 children! I have very irregular periods sometimes I worry too much and wonder if there’s something wrong with me. what could be causing my period to be so irregular? Sometimes I bleed for 2 weeks straight and sometimes I just don’t get my period. Any tips?