This article explains how life stages, health, and other issues affect your period.
Life Stages and Menstruation
Your menstruating years can be broken down into stages.
At each of these, yourperiodsmay change.
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For example, you might have yourfirst periodand then not have another one for a few months.
Or, you might have a few periods and skip one a few months down the road.
Premenopause
Premenopauseis a phase that you may enter some time in your 40s.
Perimenopause
Perimenopausemay begin in your late 40s.
Eventually, you will cease to release any uterine lining, which means your monthly periods will stop.
Menopause
Menopauserefers to the stage of your life in which you have stopped menstruating.
If you have not had a period for 12 months, you are considered to be in menopause.
The loss of weight may be due to anunhealthy dietor excess exercise.
Eating disorders also put you at high risk for menstrual irregularities and can cause other life-threatening problems.
Stress
Intensestresscan also affect your period.
They may be able to adjust your dose or switch you to a different medication.
Health Conditions
Physical illness can also affect your period.
A bad cold or flu may be enough to throw your period off that month.
Likewise, a major illness can certainly cause you to skip your period.
verify you alert your healthcare provider if your period is consistently irregular.
If you experience pain or significant blood loss, seek emergency help.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Menopause.
National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ectopic Pregnancy.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Bleeding disorders.
