Periods- is this normal?

[363daysuntilchristmas]

Is this normal or..? My periods have never been regular or heavy. In my teens I would maybe get 4 a year and it wasn’t unusual for me to go months without a period. They’re irregular and absent and follow no pattern when I do get them. I was told this was normal when I was going through puberty but I’m in my [ early ] 20s now and it’s only got slightly better! However they come as an when they want. Sometimes they come every month and then other times they don’t come for several months! Sometimes they last a full week and other times they last 2 days! Even when they come ‘normally’ they’re never heavy or bad. I get sickness on day 1 but I’ve never suffered bad cramps like some of my friends. I always considered myself lucky as some people suffer badly with their periods, but now I’m older and more aware of it and thinking in terms of the future and if this is actually normal or not.

I asked a doctor before at an unrelated appointment and he wasn’t at all bothered, he said it’s just the way I am. I don’t want to start looking for problems that are not there, but I’m honestly not sure if this is normal and I’m just fortunate not to go through bad periods, or if it isn’t normal and it should be more regular by now. I’m not sure if this is normal for the females in my family either or if it’s just me, if that makes a difference.

Am I just very lucky and I should stop looking for problems? Or should it be regular by my age? Thanks. (I’ve changed my username for this)

Perhaps get a second opinion from another gp or gynaecologist? It might not be ‘problematic’ but I wouldn’t say it’s ‘normal’ in the typical sense to be that irregular with no reason- ie. coming off the pill or just had a baby. Have you spoken to any closely related female family members, perhaps mum etc to see if they have had similar? With regards to fertility, you could do a couple of months of ovulation kits (wee on stick types) to see if you are ovulating & how regularly. If you are thinking in terms of fertility this will likely play a considerable role. You are lucky in the sense it hasn’t been any bother to you but it might mean you have a very irregular ovulation cycle and that might be an issue down the line. I’d get a second opinion on it xox

I'm quite like you. I'm 34 now but no period til I was 16. Then very scarce like you. They've only become more regular In th last 5 years.
Mine are light and short. But very painful on day 1. Bad mood swings have gotten worse with age for me.

Are you very small or near underweight? This was suggested to me.
I've gone through phases in my adult life of following it up then being told theres nothing wrong. Doctors suggesting it's my hormone levels then only testing me once and not thoroughly.

I've had a scan which shows cysts on one of my ovaries but wont diagnose me with pcos.

I don't mean to dishearten you but if they are things you feel you can try to live with I would try to do that. But always get anything new or worrying checked anyway! .

I feel womens issues like that are rarely taken as seriously as they should be. I've been lead down a path and then told I'm anxious and over thinking it.

@sjxoxo

Perhaps get a second opinion from another gp or gynaecologist? It might not be ‘problematic’ but I wouldn’t say it’s ‘normal’ in the typical sense to be that irregular with no reason- ie. coming off the pill or just had a baby. Have you spoken to any closely related female family members, perhaps mum etc to see if they have had similar? With regards to fertility, you could do a couple of months of ovulation kits (wee on stick types) to see if you are ovulating & how regularly. If you are thinking in terms of fertility this will likely play a considerable role. You are lucky in the sense it hasn’t been any bother to you but it might mean you have a very irregular ovulation cycle and that might be an issue down the line. I’d get a second opinion on it xox

Yeah I see what you mean, thanks for commenting and helping. I’m not exactly sure if other females in our family have had similar, as far as I know they’ve always been regular and it’s come every month but it’s never been heavy or with bad cramps! Oh I hadn’t thought of an ovulation test that’s a really good idea! Thank you for suggesting it! I don’t even know if I want kids when I’m older but I was just concerned that if I do decide to have kids it will be difficult because I can’t have predict if or when my period will start. Sometimes it comes 2 months in a row and I think it’s become regular, then after that it won’t come for 3 months! it makes it so hard to predict or expect it so I always have to be ready in case it randomly starts! Although I don’t get cramps or pain so I’m very lucky that way! xo

@Notimeforaname

I'm quite like you. I'm 34 now but no period til I was 16. Then very scarce like you. They've only become more regular In th last 5 years. Mine are light and short. But very painful on day 1. Bad mood swings have gotten worse with age for me.

Are you very small or near underweight? This was suggested to me.
I've gone through phases in my adult life of following it up then being told theres nothing wrong. Doctors suggesting it's my hormone levels then only testing me once and not thoroughly.

I've had a scan which shows cysts on one of my ovaries but wont diagnose me with pcos.

I don't mean to dishearten you but if they are things you feel you can try to live with I would try to do that. But always get anything new or worrying checked anyway! .

I feel womens issues like that are rarely taken as seriously as they should be. I've been lead down a path and then told I'm anxious and over thinking it.

That’s really interesting actually ! I’m not underweight but I’m on the lower end of normal weight (I think my BMI is around 20)

Yeah I can absolutely live with it, I’ve always felt lucky not to endure periods every month and to never get cramps! I just suddenly realised how different it was to the way my friends talk about their periods and I wasn’t sure if it was normal or not at my age but maybe I’m just very lucky!

Thanks for your advice yeah you’re absolutely right, woman’s issues just don’t get taken as seriously! It’s so hard to know when something is wrong especially if doctors suggest it’s just anxiety/overthinking.