My Period Is 4 Months Late But I'm Not Pregnant! (By A. Warrington)

As us females approach adolescence, we inevitably get “the talk”. You know the one about safe sex, body development, etc. Additionally, females receive the talk about their menstrual cycle.

When I was in high school, a group called “Girl Talk” came to the school to talk about what a period is, why we have periods, etc. They said what most of us already knew: Every month an egg is released, if the egg is not fertilized, the lining sheds, and menstruation begins. A period typically arrives every 28 days; however it may arrive a few days earlier or later – or so I thought.

Fast forward to two years later, my best friend and I were talking, and she started telling me that she hasn’t had her period in almost five months now and she isn’t sexually active. She generally doesn’t eat much, yet she exercises strenuously. She started to panic because based on her knowledge; she knows that a menstrual cycle can be irregular, but not that irregular!

 First of all, many factors can affect a menstrual cycle. In this case, my friend has a condition known as Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. This is when menstruation stops for several months due to a problem involving the hypothalamus. Symptoms include emotional stress, low body weight, strenuous exercise, low intake of calories, or some medical illness.

The endocrine system plays a role in this irregularity. It is a control system that interacts with the nervous system to produce hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the blood. One of the endocrine glands, the pituitary gland, secretes two hormones from its adenohypophysis: the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and the Luteinizing Hormone (LH). They are collectively referred to as gonadotropins. In females, LH and FSH work together to cause the maturation of an ovarian follicle. FSH stimulates the ovarian follicle and starts to produce estrogen, and LH ruptures the follicle which stimulates progesterone production. The Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) produced by the hypothalamus prompts gonadotropin release.

In hypothalamic amenorrhea, the hypothalamus isn’t secreting GnRH as habitually as it should. No GnRH means inadequate amounts of FSH and LH which result in lack of estrogen and progesterone production, and the inability for the production of the egg to take place. Low amounts of progesterone and estrogen result in irregular menstruation. This can elevate to infertility.

Moreover, it is important to speak to a doctor about ways to regulate your menstrual cycle. Hormonal pills such as birth control pills contain the synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin. These synthetic hormones help regulate the hormones in your body, and therefore regulate your menstrual cycle. Stressing less and eating more are also options.

All in all, irregular periods are common. If you want to 

regulate it, the pill is the best option. Other than that, don’t forget to walk with a pad or tampon wherever you go because you never know when Aunt Flo might come to visit!