My period is not like other girls’ periods

What should I do?

Your thoughts (69)

Dear Big Sister,

I think something is wrong with me. My period is not like that friends’. Sometimes my period comes twice a month. Other times it comes much later than it’s supposed to. Some months I don’t even see it at all. Like last month!!

I have asked some of my friends. They say it’s not normal. I am scared. I think I might be sick.

What is going on with me? What can I do to? I am scared.

Yours truly
Anita


Dear Anita,

There’s no cause for alarm. What you’re experiencing is called an irregular period. And it happens to lots of girls. Every woman’s menstrual cycle is different (your menstrual cycle is the time between the first days of your periods). Everyone’s period doesn’t come like clockwork every 28 days. So, don’t worry if yours is different from your friends.

Irregular periods are very common in young girls, especially in the first few years after they begin menstruating. Most of the time, irregular periods are part of the normal changes that can happen when you’re a teenage. As you get older, your cycle will probably settle into a more stable pattern.

Things like getting sick, gaining or losing a lot of weight quickly, stress or even traveling can make your period irregular. That’s because these things affect the part of the brain that regulates your period. It’s perfectly normal and most likely nothing to worry about.

Sometimes, an irregular period is caused by hormone imbalances. Hormones are messengers that control some of our bodily functions such as the period and reproduction. Because your body is still changing and growing, it’s normal for your hormone levels to change.

But if you don’t get your period for more than three months, you start growing extra hair on your chin or chest, your periods are heavy and often last more than seven days, or you have severe pain, you should visit your community clinic or doctor. Just to get things checked out.

One other important thing you should know is how to prepare for your period. Because irregular periods make it difficult for you to know when to expect your next period we advise you have a supply of sanitary pads or period clothes in your bag or purse. Especially when you are away from home.

Another way to make sure your period does not meet unexpectedly is to become observant of some changes in your body. Changes like a breakout of pimples, cramps in your lower stomach, mood swing etc.

To learn how to monitor your period read Bunmi’s story.

Stay well and keep in touch.

Yours truly,
Big Sister

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Your thoughts

Tianah2311

Good morning sister, I saw my period twice two months ago, last month my period did not didhow up and I am having my mestural pain but the period is not coming ma..Thank you ma

June 4, 2023, 7:17 a.m.

Rhay

Hi big sister, am new here. My period doesn't come every month and when it does, it doesn't flow well, it comes out as blood clots, is there any problem?

March 2, 2023, 6:59 p.m.

am seen something milkish in my vagina and under my lower stomach is paning me

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey bella! Thanks for the comment. What you see in your vagina is called vaginal discharge and it is normal apart from the pain. Please talk to a trusted adult about the pain you feel. We hope this helps

and my friend said as the milkish things is drawing like okro that i have infection

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey bella! Thanks for the comment. Vaginal discharge comes at different times in the month and there are different colors and textures (clear, stretchy, egg white etc). Your friend is wrong. If it draws like okro, it is not an infection so do not be afraid. We hope this helps

lol.... when I just started my period after d first two months I didn't see again for like three months... I was so scared I thought I was pregnant or even abrnomal I was how would I be pregnant when I didnt have sex... lol horibble experience... I went to met a guidance counselor who advised me n now I no better... later on d red vicitor came back n I was happy my little experience

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Dear big sister, I had sex with my boyfriend on the 2nd of this month,and am expecting my monthly flow on the 3rd on this month,but I didn't see it,my mouth taste bitter,and I sleep so early these few days,does it means am pregnant?,like how many days can a foetus grow in a womb after sex?am confuse pls big sister help me

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Springster! Thanks for the comment. If you have unprotected sex, you stand a higher chance of getting pregnant and also having a STD/STI or even HIV if your partner is also infected. In answering your question, we advise that you take a pregnancy test as guessing is never the right way to know if you are pregnant or not. It takes about 2 weeks after sexual intercourse to know if you are pregnant or not. We also advise that you talk to a trusted adult about this. We hope this helps

Hello big sis,not every month i see my period hope nothing is wrong with me am confused pls

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Temmy! Thanks for the comment. When we say monthly cycle, what we mean is either 28 days or 30 days (depending on your cycle). It does not have to start on the 1st of the month and end on the last day neither does it mean that it should start on a particular date and end on that same day every month. It can start at the end of the month but as long as it lasts up to 28 or 30 days as the case may be with your menstrual cycle, that is all that matters. What you need to do is to track your period using a calendar to know how long your cycle is. Please note that menstrual cycles last from 21 -35 days depending on the individual. We hope this helps.

Consult your doctor to know more

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Hi big sis my quastion is dat my period is scanty only lasted for three day pls what is wrong with me?pls i need urgent repaly

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Ene! Thanks for the comment. Periods last from 2 days - 7 days depending on the individual. The flow also depends on the individual. There is also nothing wrong with having a scanty flow. Some people naturally do not have a heavy flow and there is nothing wrong with it. You can change your diet by cutting off sugars and sweets, sodas and other unhealthy things. Drink lots of water, easy vegetables and fruits. We hope this helps

mine is 2 days

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

hi big sis I notice my period dont rush like that. it rush a little bit only the first day of my period, while I see little on the second,but on the third day It will only stain my pant

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey gracheeiyz! Thanks for the comment. Not everyone is meant to have heavy flow. If your period is not flowing well, it may be natural or as a result of poor diet. We advise that you eat lots of fruits and vegetables, drink lots of water, drop the junk and also exercise regularly. Also, talk to a trusted adult about this. We hope this helps

Hi girls,hi big sister....how can I write my story on springster

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

you can as you have just did

Hi big sis my period always last for 7days, it's heavy and painful on the first three days and light on the 4th day and it breaks on the 5th day and continue on the 6thdays and just a little stain on the 7thdays, please is it normal?

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey JayBaby1! Thanks for the comment. It doesn't look like there is anything wrong with you with what you have just said. We hope this helps

my period last for two days is it normal

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Yes, it is normal buky!

my period last for two days,is it normal

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

hey big sis I don't see my period for once I think something is wrong with me please encourage me I don't even have a breast.

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

sorry if offending how old are you

am 13 years old

Hey Kenzie! Thanks for the comment. The article already said that we shouldn't compare ourselves with other girls and this is what you are doing. We all grow differently at our individual paces. Nothing is wrong with you dear. Not everyone starts puberty as early as 13. You still have some time as you are still young. Don't worry yourself, you have a long time to experience these things so before it comes, enjoy yourself. Stop worrying yourself okay? Puberty will come soon. We hope this helps.

Hi kenzie

Dear big sister. I think something is wrong with me, because my period is not coming normal as the way it use to come before sometimes it will be black or brown and sometimes it will be slipry like okra.pls ma I need ur help because have been experiencing this for the past 7 month now

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Lami! Thanks for the comment. We suggest that you talk to a trusted adult and see a doctor immediately. We hope this helps

That correct

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Big sis i don't understand my period,my period always come out 1 weak a month

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Silverbabe! Thanks for the comment. When we say monthly cycle, what we mean is either 21 days or 35 days (depending on your cycle). It does not have to start on the 1st of the month and end on the last day. It can start at the end of the month but as long as it lasts up to 21 or 35 days as the case may be with your menstrual cycle, that is all that matters. What you need to do is to track your period using a calendar to know how long your cycle is. Please note that menstrual cycles last from 21 -35 days depending on the individual. So if someone's cycle is for 21-28 days, she is likely to see it twice a month sometimes (not all the time). If she sees it twice every month, please advise her to talk to a trusted adult and see a doctor. We hope this helps.

I have not started menstruating but last week I saw a whitish stuff coming out of my vagina.....but I don't no if its vaginal discharge

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Bodaciousbabe101! Thanks for the comment. The whitish thing you see coming out of your vagina should be vaginal discharge. Do not panic yet, talk to a trusted adult. However, if it itches or smells, you should escalate immediately. We hope this helps

Big sis when it happen did your vagina dey pain you

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey JANES! Thanks for the comment, period does not cause any pain in the vagina. The only time you can feel some pain/discomfort is if the pad is too tight or if you wear your pad for too long and that region starts to itch. We hope this helps

Ok please help me out my man ask me to lick his penis when having sex i refuse and he become angry with me

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

tell hm u dn't like it

Is it normal for a menstral cycle to be 35 days

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Latest Reply

Yes

Thanks big sister

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Hey big sis, my period is nt regular atall, sometimes it does nt come till after d fifth,sixth month....... Sometimes I just see it three times a year, with months interval between this month.... Am just so confuse....

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Latest Reply

U nid hlp

Hey Sophia_16! Thanks for the comment. When we say monthly cycle, what we mean is either 28 days or 30 days (depending on your cycle). It does not have to start on the 1st of the month and end on the last day. It can start at the end of the month but as long as it lasts up to 28 or 30 days as the case may be with your menstrual cycle, that is all that matters. What you need to do is to track your period using a calendar to know how long your cycle is. Please note that menstrual cycles last from 21 -35 days depending on the individual. We hope this helps.

Don't know what to say

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Hello big sis, i dont understand whats going on with me. I keep on missing my period after each month of seeing it. For instance if i see my period in January, i would not see it again in February, just like that till this month of october. Am 18 years old

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Latest Reply

swt hrt daz infection ok,pls meet a doctor

Hey Oyoyo! Thanks for the comment. Please note that it is not an infection. When we say monthly cycle, what we mean is either 28 days or 30 days (depending on your cycle). It does not have to start on the 1st of the month and end on the last day. It can start at the end of the month but as long as it lasts up to 28 or 30 days as the case may be with your menstrual cycle, that is all that matters. What you need to do is to track your period using a calendar to know how long your cycle is. Please note that menstrual cycles last from 21 -35 days depending on the individual. However, we advise that you talk to a trusted adult about this still. We hope this helps.

Am not seeing my mestural period and I did pregnancy test is was negative. What should I do?

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Latest Reply

fr how long have u missed ur period?

Hi guys I'm new here.

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Dear big sis, hope nothing is wrong with me coz m seeing my periodz after 30, 32, 33 days n itz heavy flows

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hello Ojaspee, There is nothing wrong with you. Some people have cycles as short as 10 days and some other as much as 35 days. It is just how your body works. The same thing with the flow - some of us have light flows and some have heavy flows. We hope this helps.

Pls big sis what are regular and irregular periods ? Pls explain

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Hi. Big sis I usually see my period twice a month but last year I didn't see my period for one month

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

I'm like Anita. It's been almost 2 years and it's not getting any close to being regular. Most times it lasts for 5 days sometimes 4 or 6 Once it was about 10 days. Then I didn't get it at all in a month.I was so scared! My cycle's worse too. I still think something's wrong though.

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey TheIyinoluwarh! Thanks for the comment. In a case like yours, we advise that you talk to a trusted adult and see a doctor immediately. They can prescribe some drugs for you or advise on what to do. We hope this helps

Thanks Big Sister But there's no one I can talk to. Including my mom. She won't understand. She'll just brush it off as nothing. I'm currently 15. I'll just have to wait till it gets regular or till I'm old enough to visit a doctor on my own.

Hi big sis My period do come middle of the month at times last week of the month and some time I feel pain in my stomach anytime I eat food

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Big I usually see my period on the 16 of every month I did not see it what will I do

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Big sis i usually see my period on the 16 of every month I did not see it in this month what will I do

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey ambra! Thanks for the comment. When we say monthly flow, we do not mean that you must start your period on the 16th of every month. When we say monthly cycle, what we mean is either 28 days or 30 days (depending on your cycle). It does not have to start on the 1st of the month and end on the last day. It can start at the end of the month but as long as it lasts up to 28 or 30 days as the case may be with your menstrual cycle, that is all that matters. What you need to do is to track your period using a calendar to know how long your cycle is. Please note that menstrual cycles last from 21 -35 days depending on the individual. We hope this helps.

big sis is it normal for a girl of 19 to have irregular period

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Hi, it is normal a girl of 20 didn't see her period since January till now, but she is not pregnant

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Chomy! Thanks for the comment. Does she know how to calculate her menstrual cycle? If she doesn't, she should learn how to. We have written some articles about this and we suggest that you search for #Menstruation at the top or bottom of the page. Also, we advise that she talks to a trusted adult and see a medical personnel. We advise that you talk to the organisation called 'Education as a Vaccine' who run a Helpline that you can call and find out everything you need to know about health issues, including menstruation and pregnancy. The number is 08 02 71 92 781 and it's free if you call from Airtel and open Monday to Friday from 9 till 5. It's completely confidential so you don't need to give your name or any details - you can just ask questions and get the support you need. Good luck with everything

Hi big sister and everyone please is it normal to see your period two times in a month when it is usually once a month, please everyone's contribution is welcomed. Thanks

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.

Latest Reply

Yes dear