A regular menstrual cycle is a useful indicator of your general health.
If you haven’t started having a period by the age of 15 years, this is caused primary amenorrhoea. You should make an appointment with a health practitioner e.g. GP to investigate the cause for this.
Lots of situations (e.g. pregnancy) can result in periods becoming absent for a period of time, however should you not have a period for 3 months or more then you should discuss this with your GP.
Irregular periods are also important to check in on, your cycle should be consistent 21-35 days between the first day of bleeding and each cycle should not vary by more than 5 days in length.
What phase of your menstrual cycle do you experience no periods?
Periods are an indicator of a regular menstrual cycle, if periods are absent hormone levels are not fluctuating correctly and therefore ovulation and phases of the menstrual cycle are not present.
Causes of no periods/periods stopping
There are many causes for periods to stop, it is normal during pregnancy and post menopause for periods to stop. However, throughout the rest of the reproductive age factors such as stress, exercise, energy deficiency, hormonal contraceptives can cause periods to stop.
If you are on using hormonal contraception such as the pill or Mirena coil, your withdrawal bleed that you may have monthly is not a period.
Factors such as stress, exercise, diet and energy deficiency can cause periods to stop.
Lack of periods can be associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). It is characterised by low energy availability due to a calorie deficit.
For more information on RED-S.
If you are concerned about RED-S and are seeing your GP there is a helpful information sheet you can take to your appointment with you
How to manage no periods/periods stopping
The pill is not an acceptable substitute for a natural menstrual cycle and should not be used to address a lack of periods.
Speak to a GP if you periods have stopped for 3 months or more, or become irregular (shorter than 21 days and longer than 35 days between day 1 of bleeding).
Check in on your diet and energy intake if you are physically active, more information can be found on fuelling around training.
