Irregular periods can affect women of all ages, from adolescents who have just started menstruating to women approaching menopause. It is more common in teenagers during the first few years after they start menstruating and in women nearing menopause, but it can occur at any reproductive age.Irregular periods can affect anyone who has periods. They are more likely to occur when periods first start during puberty and when someone is nearing menopause.
Irregular periods are when the gap between periods is less than 21 days or more than 35 days. For example, a girl might get her period after 24 days one month and after 42 days the next.
Irregular periods can be caused by:
- Stress
- Certain health conditions
- Pregnancy
- Hormone therapy (HT)
- A lack of or imbalance in certain hormones in the body
It is normal to have irregular periods for the first few years of menstruating, and sometimes even longer. However, the only way to know if everything’s OK is to visit a doctor or nurse practitioner.