Absence of Periods among Teenagers – Care and Support at Nyle Hospital

Irregular periods are considered as normal condition among teenagers. They can repeat their menstruation cycle within 21 day or between 35 and 40 days, rather than the usual 28 day cycle. Menstruation can be absent or missed in teens, but the periods pain should never increase and become severe. Most of the teenagers are unaware of their exact cycle days and may get periods without any signs or indications. Hence, they must always be prepared for the sudden onset of bleeding as a precautionary step.

The hormone system of teenagers starts to develop after attaining maturity and still remains in the developing phase. Hence, it is quite normal for a teenage girl to have her periods skipped or irregular. However, this irregularity would gradual stabilize in few months or within 2 years and usually does not trigger for specific examination or therapy.

Since teenagers are just growing adults, they may show changes in growth and maturity between 12 and 18. The hormones progesterone and oestrogen play a vital role in the life of any girl. Some may be influenced little by the hormones, while others may have physical and emotional discomfort along with puberty problems. It is always wise to discuss puberty problems with friends and family to know whether the problem is temporary or long-term. Although missed periods are common among teenagers, the gap should not exceed beyond 3 – 6 months. Parents must immediately seek professional advice for absence of period to detect whether the problem is connected to serious health defect.

Irregular or absence of periods may be influenced by several other factors such as:

Specific medications

Strenuous exercise

Considerable weight loss or gain

Poor diet comprising high carbohydrate and fat and low proteins and iron

Eating disorders

Drug or alcohol intake

High level of stress

Developmental delays

Use of birth control pill

Some of the medical conditions that can lead to the absence of periods include:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) – A condition featuring more percentage of undeveloped egg sacs or follicles in the ovaries, or the ovaries not releasing eggs properly, or having increased male hormone levels (androgen) in the body.

Hypothalamic amenorrhoea – The hypothalamus of the brain stops producing the hormones that are needed for release of eggs and hence stops the menstrual cycle.

Hyperprolactinaemia – A condition of body having very high levels of hormone known as prolactin which leads to absence of periods.

Premature ovarian failure – A condition wherein the ovaries completely stop producing the eggs.

Genetic conditions - Turner syndrome, Kallmann syndrome and androgen insensitivity syndrome may cause skipped periods in teenagers.

Thyroid disorder – Woman either with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can experience absence of periods.

Hormonal disorder or imbalance – Any changes in the levels of growth hormones will lead to irregular periods.

Birth defects –– Rarely, any birth defect associated with female reproductive organs can cause permanent absence of periods.