The formation of menstrual function is a long-term process. Until the body is finally rebuilt, the delay in menstruation in adolescents is a normal phenomenon, but pathological reasons for the irregularity of the cycle are also possible.
In adolescence, delayed menstruation is normal.
Why are adolescents' period delays?
The first menstruation occurs in girls aged 12-15 years. At this time, there are cardinal changes in the hormonal background, there is a gradual formation of the reproductive system. Irregular periods for the next 1–2 years are normal for girls.
Both external factors (stress, overwork) and internal deviations in the work of vital systems can cause long-term menstrual irregularities in adolescence.
Table "Reasons for delayed menstruation in girls"
| Possible factors | Description |
| Unbalanced diet | Abuse of fast food (go-dogs, burgers, fries), carbonated drinks, hot sauces and sweets leads to metabolic disorders and obesity. Exhausting diets, partial starvation (often found among adolescents) can also negatively affect the young body. This leads to catastrophic weight loss and, as a result, leads to serious disruptions in the hormonal background - a decrease in the production of sex hormones, feeling unwell, soreness of menstruation |
| Great physical activity | Excessive training in any sports area (dancing, fitness, aerobics, gymnastics, swimming, running) greatly exhaust the young body, which leads to a lack of necessary substances for the normal functioning of all vital systems, including the production of female hormones. As a result, there are serious deviations in the menstrual cycle, periods are greatly delayed or even stop going for several months in a row. |
| Emotional stress, school stress, mental fatigue | Excitement over lessons, peer relationships, or first love affects a girl's overall health and hormones in particular. |
| Climate change | Irregular periods are considered the normal reaction of the body to changes in climatic conditions. In girls, sexual function is just being formed, so any changes in the external environment in time affect the cycle |
| Hypothermia | It provokes inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system, which, as a result, negatively affects its functioning - periods are delayed, they are very painful and abundant |
| Infectious diseases of the genitourinary system (vaginitis, cystitis, endometritis, pyelonephritis) | Inflammation and infection are common causes of menstrual problems. At this time, there is apathy, a painful condition, fever, loss of strength and a delay in menstruation for 2 or more months |
| Endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus, thyroid problems) | Disruption of metabolic processes in the body, poor functioning of the pancreas or thyroid gland - all this, first of all, affects the formation of sex hormones, which leads to irregularities in the menstrual cycle |
| Hormonal imbalance | Female hormones - estrogen or progesterone - are much higher than normal. This means that pathological processes develop in the genitourinary system, except for pregnancy, when such an increase is considered the norm. |
If menstrual flow occurs earlier than 11 years old or later than 16 years old, this is a sign of pathological disorders in the development of reproductive function. It is imperative to find out the reason for this condition.
Which doctor should I go to?
If there are no long periods, there is a reason to see a doctor. The female reproductive system is dealt with by a gynecologist. Girls under the age of 14 should be shown to a pediatric specialist.
It is better for girls under 14 to see a pediatric gynecologist
During the examination and study of the patient's complaints, the doctor may prescribe an examination from other doctors -,. This means that there are suspicions of pathologies that are not associated with the girl's genitourinary system. This happens with endocrine or neurological disorders.
Diagnostics
Failure in the menstrual cycle, which lasts more than 2 months, requires careful study through a comprehensive diagnosis.
What exactly causes a delay in menstruation in adolescents can be found out thanks to basic medical methods, which include:
- examination by a gynecologist (up to 14 years old girls are examined through the anus);
- superficial ultrasound (the sensor is applied to the abdominal cavity and lower abdomen, without penetrating into the vagina);
- general and biochemical blood tests (the quality and composition of plasma, the presence of glucose, the level of hemoglobin, the state of leukocytes, erythrocytes, renal and liver tests are studied);
- urine test (the functioning of the urinary system is checked);
- a smear on the flora from the vagina, urethra and cervix (taken with a special thin instrument so as not to damage the hymen) - the microflora of the genital organs is studied for pathogenic bacteria that could provoke inflammation.
Thanks to a comprehensive examination, it is possible in a short time to establish the cause of rare periods and select the necessary therapy to correct the menstrual cycle.
Ultrasound of the small pelvis will show the reason for the delay in menstruation
What to do if a teenager's period is delayed?
It is possible to speed up the stabilization of the menstrual cycle if you know the true cause of negative violations:
- If the cause of rare periods is improper nutrition (fast foods or diets), you need to reconsider the diet. Eliminate unhealthy foods, drinks with gas, hot sauces. It is recommended to give preference to foods that are rich in iron and folic acid (turkey meat, red fish, beets, beans, beef liver, tomato juice, walnuts). The main thing is not to exhaust the body with diets, but to eat in a balanced way.
- In case of severe fatigue due to a violation of the rest and work regimen, normalize sleep (8-9 hours a day).
- With excessive physical exertion - moderate exercise, do not overload the body. A week before menstruation, slow down the usual pace of classes, limiting yourself to morning exercises and physical education lessons at school.
- To avoid hypothermia - keep your legs, abdomen and back warm at all times. Clothing must be appropriate for the season.
- If the reason is emotional overstrain - try to avoid stressful situations, not get nervous over trifles and drink sedative drugs (valerian extract, motherwort).
Eat more iron foods when your period is delayed
In no case can you hide and ignore long delays in the menstrual cycle. Especially when the long-awaited menstruation comes with severe pain, profuse discharge and poor health.
Infrequent periods during adolescence are normal if delays are infrequent and occur within 2 years of the start of the cycle. In this case, stress, malnutrition, and overwork affect the natural restructuring of the hormonal background. If there is no discharge for more than 2 months, there is a reason to go to the doctor. A similar condition can be a consequence of inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system, hormonal imbalance or endocrine disorders. It is important not to gloss over the problem and not try to solve it by self-medication.
In girls between the ages of 13 and 16, the menstrual cycle is only still being established, and during this period, menstruation may be irregular. The timing of the cycle gets lost under the influence of various factors. The gynecologist can determine how dangerous a delay in menstruation is in a teenager, but in most cases, such failures can be prevented by the usual care and attention to the girl's health on the part of the parents.
The first menstruation, according to experts, should be observed in girls aged 12 to 14 years. A few years earlier, a teenager begins to produce female hormones and form the reproductive system. Due to various reasons, first of all, heredity or developmental peculiarities, minor deviations from the norm may be noted: menstruation can begin at 11 years old, or delay a little - then they come for the first time when the girl is already fifteen years old.
If the timing of the onset of menstruation occurs earlier (at nine years) or much later (after 15 years), this is already a reason for concern and seeking medical attention.
It takes a year on average to establish a normal menstrual cycle. At this time, there is a complete hormonal restructuring of the body. This process can be influenced by both external factors and some diseases. Therefore, at the age of 12-13 years, there is a delay in menstruation and a violation of the menstrual cycle in adolescents.
If such a phenomenon is noted for only one month, you can simply analyze the situation, understand what is the reason for the delay in menstruation, and try to eliminate this factor from the girl's life. This is the concern of the mother or other older woman in the family.
When a delay or other violation of the cycle is repeated several times in a row, it is necessary to take the teenager to a consultation for a gynecologist's examination. It is necessary to understand the reasons for the delay in menstruation and treat the diagnosed disease.
Causes of menstrual irregularities in girls
While the adolescent's body is undergoing hormonal changes, at the age of thirteen or when she has already turned 14, the girl is more susceptible to any influences of the external environment. Establishing a cycle largely depends on her lifestyle.
Unbalanced diet
All changes in the body are associated with metabolism. If a teenager eats improperly, abuses heavy food, becomes uncontrollably saturated in fast food establishments, this can affect the girl's hormonal background and become the reason why menstruation is delayed when the cycle is almost debugged.
Another reason for taking care of the nutritional value of a teenager during this period is intensive growth. The girl has not only internal changes in the body, but also a figure is formed, she can sharply stretch. In order for all these processes to occur normally, a teenager needs useful substances: minerals and vitamins. 
If a child does not receive them when eating in full, for example, due to a passion for diets for weight loss, this affects not only his physical development, but because of this, a cycle failure can occur, since in any human body all systems are interconnected ...
Excessive physical activity
Passion for sports, or even just too active lifestyle can affect the sexual health of the girl. The reason is the same: more calories are burned, there is a lack of nutrients in the body necessary for the development and formation of the reproductive system.
And therefore, with excessive physical exertion, there is also a delay in menstruation. It is better to make sure that the girl's class schedule, about a week before the expected start of menstruation, becomes sparing, if possible, it is better to limit training during this period. The main thing is to establish a clear daily routine that will combine:
- rest periods;
- full sleep;
- compulsory walks in the fresh air.
Emotional instability
When the girl is 13, she begins a new round of psychological development. It is also associated with changes in her body:
- she begins to feel like a woman;
- her attitude towards boys as representatives of the opposite sex is changing;
- criticism from friends or parents is also more acutely perceived.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the unstable hormonal background strongly affects the emotionality of a teenager. Any stress, uneven relationships with peers, heavy training loads that unnerve the child can affect the timing of the menstrual cycle. Delays or even long-term failures can occur. It is better in this case to get not only the advice of a gynecologist, but also the help of a psychologist. 
The specialist will advise how to restrain the emotionality of a teenager, perhaps prescribe mild sedatives, breathing exercises, give advice on the girl's daily routine and nutrition.
Hormonal disruptions in adolescence
In the first two years, while menstruation is just being established, there are strong cycle failures. In the first case, it can be caused by improper diet, emotional state and other reasons for improper organization of the girl's daily routine.
All these factors, put together, lead to hormonal disruption when the amount of female hormones - estrogen or progesterone - becomes more than normal. In this case, there may be not only a delay in menstruation in adolescents, but also appear:
- pain in the lower abdomen or lower back;
- headache;
- and dizziness;
- sometimes fainting occurs.
The cause of the failure can be a long intake of antibiotics, everything that affects the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production of hormones. The gynecologist will help you find the causes of cycle disorders, prescribe a complex therapy, which will include vitamins, homeopathic medicines and a course of hormonal drugs.
Some girls may have hormonal imbalances when there is a surge in male hormones in the body. In this case, the gynecologist will select a competent individual treatment that restores the normal production of hormones.
Late onset of menstruation
The late onset of menstruation in girls is the arrival of the first menstruation at the age of over 14 years. This indicates a delay in sexual development and can be caused by both psychological and physiological reasons.
The girl may have an underdeveloped uterus, there may be disturbances in the pituitary gland, and tumors may be the cause. Timely medical intervention will quickly eliminate these problems. More often, the late onset of menstruation is due to increased emotionality and lack of weight. This decreases estrogen production and delays sexual development.
If menstruation begins late, then the cycle is established for a long time, there may be a delay in menstruation in a 15-year-old adolescent, interruptions in the passage of the cycle, long menstruation, which are accompanied by general poor health. For the entire first year with such a development of the girl, it is better to be constantly observed by a gynecologist. 
Lack of menstruation for more than two months
If the girl's cycle is practically established, but suddenly her periods stop for two or more months, it is necessary to seek treatment. The cause may be secondary amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. It is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination and a full course of treatment.
It includes complex therapy, which is based on a hormonal course. The normal development of the girl is also important, otherwise it may negatively affect women's health in the future.
Inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system
The reason for the delays in menstruation, if such a phenomenon is observed for several months in a row, can be diseases of the girl's genitourinary system. We are talking about the introduction of infection and the development of the inflammatory process. The cause of infection is bacteria, depending on their location in the body, inflammation covers:
- flora of the vagina - vaginitis;
- Bladder - ;
- the mucous membrane of the uterus - endometritis;
- renal pelvis - pyelonephritis.
At the slightest symptoms: pain in the region of any pelvic organ, delayed menstruation, general painful condition, apathy, rapid fatigue, increased body temperature - you should immediately contact the clinic.
Ultrasound, urine and blood tests will help specialists establish a clear diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. The course of therapy will include anti-inflammatory drugs, possibly antibiotics, local and oral antiseptics, vitamins, and, if necessary, hormonal drugs.
The moment of menstruation becomes stressful for many girls. However, with the correct explanation, which the mother will make, the child quickly calms down and gets used to the fact that she is now growing up. But what if you don't have your period at the age of 14? Here stress for the parents is already possible, because such a situation can indicate serious problems with the girl's health.
Puberty (or puberty) is a process during which physical and behavioral changes occur, forming a woman out of a girl, ready to take on her social and biological role of reproducing offspring.
It usually begins by 8-10 years of age with an increase in the mammary glands. Over the next 2-2.5 years, other secondary sexual characteristics begin to appear and develop:
- pubic hair grows;
- the external and internal genital organs (large and small labia, uterus) increase in size;
- increases the deposition of fat in the lower abdomen and on the thighs.
The climax of puberty is menarche. Or the onset of the first menstruation. It is considered normal when menstruation occurs at the age of 11.5 - 14 years.
At the beginning, the menstrual cycle is irregular, the duration of both menstruation and the entire cycle is very variable, sometimes there may be delays of up to a week or more. The menstruation itself can be plentiful or scanty, no one will clearly say how long a girl's period lasts for 14 years if the menarche has come recently. This is due to the not yet established production of female sex hormones. After 2 years, many girls have their menstrual cycle stabilized, 5 years after menarche, 90% of girls have a fully formed cycle and are ready to conceive.
Note that the age of the onset of menstruation in a girl is approximately the same as that of her mother. In other words, if a mother had her menarche at the age of 12, then her daughter will have her first menstrual period at about the same time.
Why does a 14-year-old girl have a monthly delay
Here two situations should be distinguished: why menstruation does not go at 14 years old, if they already were, or their complete absence, that is, if menarche has not yet come. In the first case, the situation is often reversible; under the influence of the treatment, the girl's health can fully recover. The second case may indicate a delay in puberty for various reasons.
Delayed puberty
This diagnosis is made when one or more indicators are present, such as:
- no changes in the size of the mammary glands in girls who have reached the age of 13;
- the absence of the first menstruation by 15-15.5 years;
- stopping the development of secondary sexual characteristics for 18 months or delaying the first menstruation, provided that the mammary glands are enlarged in a timely manner;
- delay in the development of secondary sexual characteristics for more than 2 years (hair growth is not taken into account).
The reasons for the delay can be very diverse, but they are all associated with one or another violation in the hormonal sphere - either the production of gonadotropic hormones, which activate the synthesis of estrogens and progesterone, decreases, or during normal production of gonadotropins, the production of sex hormones in the required quantities does not occur.
Often these causes are hereditary or genetic in nature (for example, Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome). It is also possible the acquired development of a delay in various brain tumors, which affect the work of the hypothalamic-pituitary system / regulating the production of female sex hormones.
In addition to the absence of menstruation at a certain time by nature, other clinical signs are also revealed in girls - a delay in physical development (lagging in growth and weight gain even in infancy), reduced fat deposition, and underdevelopment of internal organs, including reproductive organs. In the presence of neurological dysregulation, there are prolonged headaches, decreased vision and hearing, thermoregulation disorders, etc.
Potentially reversible causes of delayed periods
Fortunately, the events described above occur only in 0.4% of cases. Usually, the reasons for the delay in menstruation are somewhat less absolute and can, in most cases, be eliminated. These include:
- chronic stress;
- imbalance in hormonal levels or hormonal imbalance;
- excessive workload, including hard intellectual work;
- long-term illness or severe surgery;
- bad habits;
- taking certain medications;
- sex life;
- the presence of traumatic factors;
- poor nutrition, etc.
Let's take a look at each of these factors separately.
Chronic stress
It is known that prolonged exposure to psychologically oppressive factors can disrupt the work of the nervous system - this main "computer" that regulates everything that happens in the body. Nervous regulation of the menstrual cycle can also suffer at the same time, and even in adults, psychologically much more stable women.
In adolescents with their already unsettled psyche, stress factors cause almost physical ailments. A delay in menstruation, or secondary amenorrhea, may well be triggered by this. During adolescence, it is extremely important to protect the child from stress, but often this may require the help of a specialist.
Hello. Please tell me, I am 14 years old and I have no periods? Why aren't they there? Nastya, 14 years old
Nastya, there may be quite a few reasons for this. I recommend that you tell your mother about this, contact a pediatric gynecologist and together find out what is happening with your body.
Hormonal problems
Immediately after menarche, hormone production does not yet follow a precise rhythm. There is an adaptation of all systems to new circumstances, and therefore the concentration of estrogen and progesterone can be significantly knocked out of the normal range. It is with this that the delay in menstruation can be associated, and it is because of this that often girls of 14 years old do not last 2-3 days, but 5-6, sometimes longer. It should be remembered that if menstruation lasts more than 5-6 days and its volume does not decrease or the discharge is too abundant, you should consult a doctor: the situation with hormones may be slightly worse than it might seem. In any case, the specialist will conduct a series of analyzes and will say for sure whether there is a problem, or everything is going as it should be.
Excessive loads
Mental work, in terms of the strength of its effect on the body, can be no less stressful than long-term worries about, for example, unrequited love. This is especially true during periods of exams, when there is a lot to learn and very little time.
Physical activity can also cause a delay in menstruation for 1-2 months or more. It is considered the norm of physical labor to simply attend each physical education lesson at school and a certain level of activity is usually outside the school walls. The desire to take care of yourself or the fashion for losing weight often plays a cruel joke with girls.
Diseases
With any disease, even if the affected organs have nothing to do with the reproductive system, the body throws most of its energy to fight the disease. Sometimes this requires the mobilization of all reserves, and sometimes it is even necessary to draw off forces from those systems that are not involved in "combat operations." The sexual system also belongs to such a system, because what kind of reproduction can we talk about when the very existence of the organism is threatened? The same applies to massive surgeries, which in themselves are extremely stressful.
A decrease in the production of sex hormones associated with the events described above can lead to a temporary stop of the menstrual cycle or to a significant slowdown in it. Of course, in this situation it does not hurt to contact a gynecologist, but the likelihood that everything will recover after recovery is quite high.
Bad habits
Many adolescents already at the age of 13-14 can try alcohol, smoking or light (and sometimes not only light) drugs. And if the body of an adult can cope with these heavy blows on metabolism for some time, then the child's body simply does not have enough strength. Its adaptive mechanisms are not yet perfect, many processes are still not perfect enough.
Medications
There are certain medications that can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary system, which regulates the menstrual cycle. These include oral contraceptives, some psychotropic drugs, and corticosteroid-based drugs. Taking such drugs, if it occurs without proper supervision by a specialist, can lead to very serious consequences. Weight gain, edema, disturbances in the functioning of the heart, kidneys, surges in blood pressure, deterioration in water and electrolyte balance - a delay in menstruation is almost the minimum evil here.
Tell me, is it possible to somehow cause menstruation at the age of 14 at home? Ira, 14 years old
Irina, under no circumstances do this - it is very dangerous! Heavy bleeding may develop and the result may be tragic. If you have a problem with your menstrual cycle, you need to see your doctor. On your own, you will only harm yourself.
Sex life
The changed moral norms of modern society lead to the fact that girls often begin sexual activity almost before they reach menarche. Several periods, then unprotected intercourse and a delay in menstruation can mean pregnancy. An insufficiently prepared child's body can hardly cope with bearing a fetus, although doctors are doing everything possible to make everything go smoothly. In any case, early onset of sexual activity negatively affects the reproductive status of a girl, and a delay in menstruation, even without pregnancy, is not uncommon.
Power supply errors
This is a very common cause of menstrual irregularities. Firstly, children often do not eat full-fledged food, but poor in nutrients, but very high-calorie fast food products or snacks. Secondly, in adolescence, the craving for imitating idols is very strong, and if the idol is low in weight, the girl may well begin to adhere to various diets, sometimes bringing herself to exhaustion. Lack of nutrients causes serious disturbances in the body, and the menstrual cycle is one of the first to suffer. However, if the stomach hurts with insufficient nutrition, then the problem is much more serious, and you should consult a doctor immediately.
Overweight - this scourge of modern society - also very often leads to disturbances in the regulation of menstruation. Fat, like a sponge, absorbs estrogens, the amount of which in the blood begins to decline. Because of this, malfunctions of the hypothalamus occur and, as a result, delays or complete absence of menstruation occur,
A delay in menstruation in a teenager often, although not always, means some kind of problem in the body. The doctor can identify it and give recommendations for its elimination, for this you need to contact him. Do not delay visiting him, because the reproductive health of the girl and her future children are at stake.
My daughter lost her period due to weight loss. She is 14 years old, what should I do? Olya, 33 years old
Olga, the first thing to do is to help the child gain optimal weight. Teenagers often strive to be like someone and may need the help of a psychologist in order to get rid of the thoughts of compulsory weight loss from her head. Contact your gynecologist first, let him find out exactly whether amenorrhea is associated with weight loss. And if so, you have a long and hard work ahead of you. But if the situation has not yet been launched, the chances of success are very high.
Ask a free question to a doctor
Delayed periods in adolescents can occur for a number of reasons. First of all, you should not panic, but try to calmly understand this problem. In girls, puberty begins at about 9-10 years old, the most complex hormonal changes begin to occur in the body. Many factors influence the formation of the hormonal system: daily regimen, balanced diet, chronic diseases, heredity and physical activity. Usually the first menstrual cycle begins at 12-13 years old.
Reasons for delayed menstruation
Refusal from hot meals, snacks, as well as a passion for diets is the right way to disrupt the digestive system, as well as to problems in the field of gynecology. The body simply does not have enough strength to cope with the correct load. To avoid a delay in menstruation at 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 years, you need to get enough sleep and observe the daily regimen. Forget unhealthy cola chips and include fish, meat, salads and light soups in your diet.
Disruptions and delays in the menstrual cycle in adolescents can occur as a result of strong physical exertion in those girls who are seriously involved in fitness, aerobics, dancing and sports. Anything above the measure is unhealthy.
Endocrine and infectious diseases can affect the menstrual cycle. Constant hypothermia can lead to inflammation of the genitourinary system, resulting in painful menstruation, irregularities in the cycle, or heavy bleeding. Always dress for the season and keep your feet warm. To avoid a delay in menstruation in girls, even going to the beach, take a spare swimsuit, which you can change into after bathing. This will help protect the body from hypothermia.
Mental experiences and stresses can have a negative effect not only on menstruation, but also on the body as a whole. This is one of the main reasons why a seventeen-year-old girl may have a delay in her period. Always be positive, and start your day with a smile and exercise.
During the period of the formation of menstrual function, the cycle may be unstable. A trip to the sea or a sudden change in climate may be one of the reasons for the delay. This reaction is normal and should not be a cause for concern. And the last - whatever the reason for the delay, you should not "close", consult a doctor.
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