Usually I got the periods in 30 days. My last...

Most women have a period every 28 days or so, but it's common to have a slightly shorter or longer cycle than this (from 21 to 40 days).

Some women do not always have a regular menstrual cycle Their period may be early or late, and how long it lasts and how heavy it is may vary each time.

Why your periods might stop

There are a number of reasons why your periods can stop. The most common reasons are:

• pregnancy
• stress
• sudden weight loss
• being overweight
• doing too much exercise
• taking the ocp
• the pco

Periods can also sometimes stop as a result of a medical condition, such as heart disease, uncontrolled diabetis, an overactive thyroid or premature menpouse.

Pregnancy

You might be pregnant if you're sexually active and your period is late. pregnancy is a common reason why periods unexpectedly stop. It can sometimes happen if the contraception you're using fails.

It might be that your period is simply late, so you could wait a few days to see if it arrives. If it does not arrive, you can do a pregnancy test to confirm whether or not you're pregnant.

It's important to be aware that you can get pregnant in the days after your period is normally due. This can happen if the release of an egg (ovulation) is delayed – for example, as a result of illness or stress.

Stress

If you're stressed, your menstrual cycle can become longer or shorter, your periods may stop altogether, or they might become more painful.

Try to avoid becoming stressed by making sure you have time to relax. 

Sudden weight loss

Excessive or sudden weight loss can cause your periods to stop. Severely restricting the amount of calories you eat stops the production of hormones needed for ovulation.

Your GP may refer you to a dietitian if you're underweight, which is when you have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5. A dietitian will be able to advise you about how to regain weight safely.

Being overweight

Being overweight can also affect your menstrual cycle. If you're overweight, your body may produce an excess amount of oestrogen, one of the hormones that regulate the reproductive system in women.

Excess oestrogen can affect how often you have periods, and can also cause your periods to stop.

Your GP may refer you to a dietitian if you're overweight, with a BMI of 30 or more, and it's affecting your periods. The dietitian will be able to advise you about losing weight safely.

Doing too much exercise

The stress that intense physical activity places on your body can affect the hormones responsible for your periods. Losing too much body fat through intense exercise can also stop you ovulating.

You'll be advised to reduce your level of activity if excessive exercise has caused your periods to stop.

If you're a professional athlete, you may benefit from seeing a doctor who specialises in sports medicine. They'll be able to give you advice about how to maintain your performance without disrupting your periods.

Contraceptive pill

You might miss a period every so often if you're taking the contraceptive pill. This is not usually a cause for concern.

However, your periods should return when you stop using these types of contraception.

Menopause

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of harmless follicles, which are underdeveloped sacs in which eggs develop. If you have pcos, these sacs are often unable to release an egg, which means ovulation does not take place.

PCOS is thought to be very common, affecting about 1 in every 10 women in the UK. The condition is responsible for as many as 1 in 3 cases of stopped periods.

When to see your GP

See your GP if you're not pregnant – you've had a negative pregnancy test – and you've missed more than 3 periods in a row.

If you're sexually active and you have not taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one.

They may also ask you about:

• your medical history
• your family's medical history
• your sexual history
• any emotional issues you're having
• any recent changes in your weight
• the amount of exercise you do

Your GP may recommend waiting to see whether your periods return on their own. In some cases you may need treatment for your periods to return.

You should also see your GP if your periods stop before you're 45 or if you're still bleeding when you're over 55