Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

14 year old missed periods for nearly 3 months

18 replies

islaoo · 10/07/2021 11:14

Hi,
My daughter has just turned 14. Started periods October last year. They were pretty regular until her last one middle of April and she hasn’t had one since!
I’ve spoken to her and she’s not worried and thinks it’s just things settling down, still within first year etc. She says lots of her friends have irregular periods still.
She’s not pregnant (I asked her and she said omg how would that even be possible; she’s at a girls school, has no interest in boys and only sees them during supervised activities like explorers).
A few things have happened:

  • back to full time school and starting gcse courses having previously been home schooling or on reduced timetable - def stressed out!
  • training for and doing her duke of Edinburgh expedition so some extra exercise
  • she’s generally quite sporty but not excessively so and not underweight (though she’s pure muscle not much fat!)
  • she’s had her second hpv jab and her year 9 tetanus etc jab both within this period and I’ve heard some vaccines can temporarily affect cycles;
  • she had a nasty virus too about 8 weeks ago

I know all or any of these things could contribute and none of you can tell me the answer definitively! but I was hoping for advice about whether we should see the gp now or wait til we’ve had a few weeks of summer holiday when she can hopefully relax and things might resume on their own.

Anyone else’s Dd had the same?

I remember my periods being irregular at first but they started off irregular (I also have / had pcos); what worries me is the sudden stopping after previously being regular.

For background she was investigated for Turner syndrome (which can affect puberty and fertility) as a toddler due to poor growth and short stature. All tests came back normal. She’s now about 5 foot 1 (normal for our family) and 7 stone. But I’ve always had lingering concerns about puberty / fertility ever since and just don’t want to pass my anxiety onto my daughter. I am worried but don’t want her to know this!

I’ve discussed seeing a female gp with her if nothing happens in next few weeks and she doesn’t really want to talk about it with a medic but has said she will if necessary. She’s had to go to growth clinic and be asked about puberty for the last few years and finds it awful and cringey!

OP posts:
Lilypansy · 10/07/2021 11:18

I don't think anyone here can give you the answer, so a visit to the GP is the best thing to do. There could be lots of reasons but it should be investigated.

islaoo · 10/07/2021 12:26

Yes, I know I can’t get medical answers here; just hoped some other mums might have been through similar and could offer some thoughts.

OP posts:
HelloDaisy · 10/07/2021 17:39

islaoo I could have written your exact post apart from Turner syndrome testing and my dd hasn’t quite started her DofE training yet!

Her periods started in June last year and seemed ok albeit heavy. Then she missed one in December, had one in January but none since.

I spoke to a GP in April who said to ring back in July if no sign of them. Rang yesterday and after GP asked lots of questions about weight, mood, exercise, stress levels, excessive hair growth, pain etc said it is quite common for this to happen and as long as no pain or discharge then there is no need to worry or investigate further for now.

She said to simply wait another year and see if they return. Apparently they would be more worried if periods hadn’t started before dd was 15 but the fact they have started and stopped is common in the first few years before they settle down and become regular.

Hope that helps you 😊

Christmasfairy2020 · 10/07/2021 19:17

Whether she says she def isn't pregnant I'd still be buying a pregnancy test to rule it out gp will want this checked

islaoo · 10/07/2021 20:21

@HelloDaisy that’s really helpful thank you! I hope things settle down for your daughter soon. I think I will wait for the summer holidays and see if a change of pace helps. If not I’ll go to the GP but it’s a relief to know it can be normal even if starting out on a regular cycle.

OP posts:
DuckonaBike · 10/07/2021 20:27

I think this is fairly common. My DD who is just 14 has had only 2 or 3 periods ever followed by a long gap (she does lots of ballet and is very slim which could be a factor). And I think I had something similar myself - my periods started young and then I had a gap of about a year with none, as far as I can remember (‘‘twas a long time ago…) they settled down eventually!

careerchangeperhaps · 10/07/2021 20:43

It could be her weight if she's very slim. You need a certain amount of body fat to menstruate. Is it possible that she's been more active in the last few months than earlier in the year (lockdown!) and possibly her fat %age has dropped a little, putting everything on pause.

StepladderToHeaven · 10/07/2021 20:46

My DD is 13 and started her periods at the beginning of this year. She had three regular periods and then missed two. Then it turned up again. She's very slim too. All normal at this age I think.

orangejuicer · 10/07/2021 20:48

PCOS? It's genetic so I'd want to rule that out.

TotorosCatBus · 10/07/2021 20:49

My dd has irregular periods for the first 18 months- 2 years. (She started at 14) It's now regular.

Maggiesfarm · 10/07/2021 20:51

If you are concerned, speak to your GP about it.

My periods were like that at her age and there was nothing wrong with me.

BunnyRuddington · 11/07/2021 08:52

No sorry, DD has been regular since day one.

Maggiesfarm · 11/07/2021 13:26

@BunnyRuddington

No sorry, DD has been regular since day one.
Yes, some people are. I remember a friend of mine at school who was like that from the start. However hormones are funny things and variations are normal at different times.

I doubt there is anything to worry about but it wouldn't hurt to mention it to your GP, if only for reassurance.

Candacej · 11/07/2021 18:25

Hi, I have been worrying about my daughters irregular periods for a while now.
She started at 11.5 and is now 13.5. Her periods were regular for a few months and then she skipped a few. Currently her cycles seem to be between 30 and 70 days. I suspect it may be Pcos and am treating as such eg. Encouraging healthy eating etc. Keep us updated, I understand what a worry it is.

GrandmasCat · 11/07/2021 18:32

She needs to be checked but it would be a good idea to have a look at her relationship with food just in case. It is not rare for girls to go into unhealthy eating patterns to look as thin as their friends.

Contrary to popular belief, not all malnourished kids are bones and skin and many do sports.

islaoo · 12/07/2021 12:24

Thanks for all your advice and experiences.
I’m guessing just regulating or increased activity / stress are most likely - she regularly has over 20k steps on her Fitbit a day plus some out of school sports clubs. She’s also quite stressed about starting GCSEs. I will take her to gp once school term is over and update for the benefit of others on a similar situation. It could be pcos too - her acne is getting a little worse.

OP posts:
islaoo · 20/07/2021 23:10

Update - dd got her period at the weekend, seems fairly normal so far, and interesting that it happened almost as soon as the school holidays started (I’m guessing this must be a coincidence as there was no time for anything to really change). Had not had time to see gp so will keep an eye over the next few months but I’m hoping it is just her hormones regulating.

And at least she’s not pregnant (though I did entirely trust her and it would have been pretty much a miracle as she only sees boys with adult supervision).

OP posts:
Benjispruce5 · 24/07/2021 19:21

Sounds quite normal to me. I was irregular for a few years. Pregnant first month of trying. My DDs had gaps when they started too, sometimes 2/3 months. I never questioned it .

New posts on this thread. Refresh page