Missed or absent periods (amenorrhoea)

When your period doesn't arrive

Periods usually happen every month from about age 13 until somewhere between 45 and 55.

If you don't get your period when you expect to, it can be:

• late – arrives a few days later than expected
• irregular – doesn't follow a regular cycle and comes early or late each month
• missed – more than 6 weeks since your last period
• absent – you don't get a period at all.

It's normal to have late, irregular or missed periods sometimes. It's most common when your period first starts (puberty) or is coming to an end (menopause).

Things like diet, stress and hormone changes can also affect your period cycle.

You should get familiar with what a healthy period cycle looks like for you so you can spot changes when they happen.

Read more about irregular periods on the healthdirect website.

Missed periods

A missed period is when it's been more than 6 weeks since your last period.

Missing a period can be:

• an early sign that you're pregnant
• the start of perimenopause symptoms
• a symptom of another health issue
• due to normal hormone changes.

You won't get a period while you're pregnant and may not while breastfeeding.

Missing a period is usually nothing to worry about. If you think you might be pregnant, a pregnancy test will help you find out.

Missing 3 or more periods in a row means you have what's called absent periods.

You should talk to your GP if you have absent periods.

Absent periods (amenorrhoea)

When you don't get your period at all it's called amenorrhoea.

There are 2 types of amenorrhoea.

• Your period hasn't started by the time you're 16, or by 13 if there's no other signs of puberty (primary amenorrhoea)
• You don't get a period for more than 3 months in a row after having regular periods (secondary amenorrhea)

If your period hasn't started (primary amenorrhoea)

Everyone has their first period (menarche) at a different time. It should happen sometime after you turn 12 and before you reach 16.

You should see your GP if:

• you're 15 and you've started puberty (have breasts and pubic hair) but not started your period
• you're 13 and have no signs of starting puberty.

They'll do some tests to help figure out if there's anything wrong.

Read more about early and late puberty on the Raising Children Australia website.

If your period has stopped (secondary amenorrhoea)

There can be a lot of things that cause your period to stop. Hormones in your brain and ovaries work together to control your menstrual cycle. If any of these parts are out of balance, your cycle can stop.

You should see your GP if:

• your period stops for 3 months in a row and you're not pregnant
• you've had less than 9 periods in a year.

They'll do some tests to help figure out if there's anything wrong.

Reasons for missing periods

When you don't have a period, it can be a symptom of things like:

• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• menopause
• problems with your thyroid, hypothalamus or pituitary gland
• metabolic conditions, like diabetes
• stress and anxiety
• losing or putting on too much weight
• doing too much exercise
• eating disorders
• problems with your ovaries or womb
• scarring on your womb or cervix (Asherman's syndrome)
• tumours, growths or obstructions.

Diagnosis and treatment

It's important to find and treat the cause of your missing periods.

Your GP will ask you questions about your:

• general health
• sexual health
• diet and exercise
• family history.

They might also:

• check your vagina, cervix, and breasts for anything unusual
• check your hormone levels with a blood test
• do an ultrasound to look inside your body.

For young girls, GPs won't always check your vagina and cervix. They can talk to a specialist for advice instead.

Common treatments include:

• taking hormones, like the contraceptive pill
• medicines, for example to treat thyroid or metabolic problems
• surgery
• lifestyle changes
• counselling.

You might not need any treatment. It'll depend on why you're not having periods. You may also be referred to a fertility specialist if you've been trying or planning to get pregnant.