Is Missing 2 Menstrual Cycles Normal After Just Starting?

Updated on October 23, 2015
J.M. asks from Chesterfield, MO
4 answers

My daughter is almost 12 and she started her period 3 months ago. The first one was about 7 days. She hasn't had one since. Is this normal? Mine were always consistent, but don't remember skipping any.

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

It's completely normal to skip them especially at this age. It's actually more common than monthly regular periods! The hormones are just starting and nothing has normalized yet. I'd suggest you teach her to keep a record, even with a code of some sort on a calendar (so it's not obvious to her friends or other visitors to the house), but don't have her hovering over it. The frustrating thing about the first few years of periods is you often have to just wait for them to arrive. If she gets symptoms she can start to learn to identify, great. But many teens don't. It's probably time to have her carry a little "sudden onset" packet in her backpack though!

Then share this record with the doctor on her next regular visit. She does not need a gynecologist at this stage - the pediatrician or family practice doctor can handle this.

5 moms found this helpful
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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

It can take a few years after starting a period before girls are regular.

Again, what is it with so many women thinking regular periods are normal and irregular periods are abnormal? If anything, the opposite is true. Most women do not actually have regular periods ... unless they are taking hormones. It really isn't the norm.

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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

Yep, totally normal. I had six months between my first and second. For many girls the first year or more are pretty sporadic. Some women eventually get regular, some don't.

1 mom found this helpful

A.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

That is very normal. My daughter started her period almost 2 years ago, and it's just starting to be somewhat consistent now. She would go 4 months without one or get it every 3 weeks for a couple months. Her Pediatrician said this is completely normal for the first couple years.

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