When a woman experiences a period, her body undergoes many changes, including:

– Vaginal bleeding
– Painful cramps
– Bloating
– Cravings for specific foods
– Back pain
– Acne breakouts
– Lack of coordination/clumsiness
– Emotional turbulence/sensitivity
– Trouble focusing
– Increased risk of yeast infection
– Changes to bowel movements

An occasional missed period is normal and is typically nothing to worry about. However, not having a regular period can increase the risk of certain conditions, including endometrial cancer. During a normal menstrual cycle, the endometrium is exposed to hormones that cause the lining to proliferate and thicken. When ovulation does not occur, the lining is not shed, and levels of progesterone do not go up as they usually would. Consequently, the lining is exposed to unopposed estrogen, which causes the endometrium to grow much thicker than normal and contributes to an increased risk of cancer.

If a woman does not have a period, then either the egg has been fertilized (and they are pregnant), or possibly no egg was released. When an egg is released and no period occurs, the ovum (egg) simply gets absorbed back into the body. The same is true for all bodily cells that are no longer needed; they are repackaged, redistributed,, and reused elsewhere.

Amenorrhea, also known as absent menstruation, is the absence of menstrual periods. There are two types of absent menstruation. The type depends on whether menstruation has occurred and is then absent, or whether menstruation has not occurred at all by a certain age. Absent menstruation may occur for a variety of reasons, the most common of these include hormonal imbalances, natural causes, and lifestyle factors.
 
It is totally possible for a woman who never got her period to live a normal and healthy life, although some reproductive issues will likely be present, including the inability to get pregnant, or infertility.

A girl’s first and second periods can usually be separated by up to 6 months; there might be up to four months between her second and third cycles. Normal irregular periods might last up to two years, and if they persist for longer, they should be addressed by a medical professional who specializes in women’s health. Menstrual periods can be disrupted by stress; stress can cause the body to produce more of the hormone cortisol, which in turn can lead to premature maturation of the uterus.
 
The average length of time that a woman can go without a period is around three to five years, but some women can go as long as 10 years without one. The reason why so many women report missing their periods for such a long time is due to a number of underlying causes, including reproductive conditions.
 
If you have questions about the health of your menstrual cycle, trust the professionals at Women’s Health Consulting. Call us today or book an online appointment with our women’s health specialist, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 200 S Michigan Avenue, #1550, Chicago, IL 60604. We serve patients from Chicago IL, Cicero IL, Oak Park IL, Forest Park IL, Berwyn IL, Maywood IL, and Logan Square Chicago IL. We look forward to serving you!