Irregular and infrequent periods

[someoneyoudon'tknow]

I am 17. I had my first period when I was 13. My periods are extremely irregular and infrequent with the time interval between menstruation periods varying between 2 and 9 months. In the last 4 years I have only had 12 periods.

I have a BMI in the healthy range at about 22.5, I see no corralation between stress or anxiety levels and the liklihood of having a period and there is zero possability that I am pregnant. My mother told me that it can take time for a cycle to settle, but from what I have heard, it usually only takes up to 2 years and the fluctuation in time differences seems to be lower than in my case.

What else could cause irregular periods? Could this affect my fertility in the future?

[Dr Heather Currie]

The commonest cause of infrequent periods is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is often associated with being overweight, but not always, and can occur in women who are of normal weight. You can have blood tests for this, and it is also worth having thyroid function checked. PCOS does not necessarily mean that in the future it would be difficult to become pregnant, but if help is needed, fertility treatment (Clomifene) is very succesful in improving ovarian function and increasing fertility in this situation.