What is wrong with me?

Question

I have been cramping for awhile now. And my period still hasn't come, and I'm a teenager. I figured it skipped because it has been a week, it hasn't skipped in awhile. I feel like I'm cramping but I'm not sure what's going on, is my body like being strange?Or is that normal, I'm worried but I'm not pregnant because I haven't had sex because I'm still a virgin.

Answer 1

We hear a lot about the menstrual "cycle," which can make it sound as though it happens like clockwork. And we say that a woman who gets her period every 4 weeks is "regular," as though there's usually something abnormal about women who don't. In fact, most women don't get their periods at exactly the same number of days after the last one.

Let's take a look at what happens when a girl gets her first period (also known as menarche, pronounced: meh-nar-kee). For most girls, this happens between the ages of 9 and 16.

Your menstrual cycle occurs in stages, which doctors often talk about in terms of 28 days. But 28 is just an average figure that doctors use. Women's cycle lengths vary - some have a 24-day cycle, some have a 34-day cycle. The only thing you can usually count on is that if you're not pregnant, nursing, or ill, you will get your period again.

The first day a girl's period comes is Day 1 of her cycle. Around Day 5, her pituitary gland tells the ovaries to start preparing one of the eggs they contain for release. One egg will mature completely, and at the same time the lining of the uterus gets thicker. The lining becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for the fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes pregnant.

On or about Day 14, the egg breaks loose (this is called ovulation) and makes its way through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg hasn't been fertilized by sperm, it will disintegrate. About 2 weeks later, the lining and egg leave a girl's body as her period and the whole thing starts all over again - that's why we use the word cycle.

All this sounds very neat and orderly, but your body may not follow this schedule exactly. It's not unusual, especially in the first 2 years after menarche, to skip periods or to have an irregular menstrual cycle. Illness, rapid weight change, or stress can also make things more unpredictable because the part of the brain that regulates periods is influenced by stuff like this.

Some girls always have irregular periods; others get theirs every 28 days like clockwork. Many are regular most of the time, but occasionally skip a period or get an extra period during times of pressure or stress. In fact, you may notice that when you go on a trip or have a major change in your schedule your period is late.

The length of your periods may also vary - sometimes your period may last 2 days, sometimes 10. That's because the level of hormones your body manufactures can be different from one cycle to the next and this affects the amount and length of bleeding.

So how can you tell when you're about to get your period? If you're not regular, you'll want to pay attention to the clues your body may give you. These include:

back cramps or stiffness
heavier breasts or breast soreness (this will happen after ovulation and before you get your period)
headaches
acne breakouts
disturbed sleep patterns
mood swings
If you're not taking birth control pills, you're not pregnant, and you're not having other symptoms such as stomach pain, then it's very likely that your irregular periods are part of the normal changes that can happen when you're a teen. At some point as you grow, your cycle will probably settle into a recognizable pattern. This should happen by 3 years after your first period.

Some teens may develop irregular periods - or stop having periods altogether - as a result of a hormone imbalance. Disorders of the thyroid gland can cause menstrual irregularities if the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood become too low or too high. Some women have irregular periods because their bodies produce too much androgen, which is a hormone that causes increased muscle mass, facial hair, and deepening of the voice in males and the development of pubic hair and increased height in girls. High amounts of androgen can also cause hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and abdomen, and is sometimes associated with excessive weight gain.

If a girl has one of these problems, or if her periods are irregular for 3 years or more (or for other reasons), the doctor may prescribe hormone pills or other medications that will help her to have regular periods.

In the meantime, if your periods are irregular, try keeping some pads or tampons in your backpack, just so you'll have them handy in case your period comes when you're not expecting it.

It's important to see a doctor if you're sexually active and have missed a period - this could be a sign that you're pregnant. You should also see your doctor if you start having periods that last longer than 7 to 10 days or periods that are accompanied by severe cramping or abdominal pain.

Answer 2

It's ok. I'm a teen too. I've been through this, although I didn't cramp when I've missed it. I've skipped a month before, you'll probably have two the next month then you'll go back on a regular schedule. But your period could just be late, mines been up to 10 days late before and I too am a virgin. If you've started engaging in sexual activities here lately, for that first time, that might make it change too. If you continue to cramp though make your mom aware of your situation so she can make you an appointment with the Dr. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Teen bodies are notoriously inconsistent. It is very normal for your periods to be irregular (my 17 and 19 year old daughters are still not regular).

It kind of sucks because the cramps are often worse when it comes late. Ask your mom for some ibuprofen, aspirin or tylenol to help keep your cramps from becoming unbearable.

So no, there is nothing wrong with you.

Answer 4

I think that many teenagers go through this stage. Mainly women because our bodies are changing. The pressure the body receives due to womanly changes can stress you and provoke you to skip a period. Hang in there hunny. It won't be long. Just in case you should talk to your mom or doctor.

Answer 5

This is really normal im 17 and i do that all the time..ur not regular so i mean that is small. I know its not fun but its fine. Ur body can still be changing and the smallest thing can set off ur period...dont worry!

Answer 6

no thats super normal alot of teenagers go through that stage