[thecatlady]

All of my periods since I got my first one at age 13, for 8 years have been perfectly regular, always on time. I've always been very overweight, and I have heard that being overweight can contribute to making periods irregular, but mine have always been regular, to where I could mark off on a calendar within +/- 1 day of when I'd get my next one.

I haven't had my period since maybe mid-January or so of this year, though, and I don't know what's up. I haven't really had any changes in my lifestyle or in my stress levels, and while I am obese, I have been so for years and that has never affected my menstrual cycle before.

I know that aside from whatever is causing the issue that I need to lose weight, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows whether periods can stop irregularly in overweight people, even if they've been regular for nearly a decade.

Since I read that doctors don't consider missed periods to be a problem in people that are regular until 6 months after the missed period, I figure if I still haven't had one by mid-June or so that I should probably make an appointment with the doctor.

I know advice here on the forums doesn't replace a doctor's advice, of course, but I wanted to see if anyone else had experienced something like this, or knew someone who has.

I am a virgin, too, btw.

[LanaBear]

It is possible that your period is just now starting to become irregular from being overweight. Just like most things, it would take some time for the effects of being overweight to pop up.

I'm sure you are fine. Get into the Dr for an exam though.

[thecatlady]

^ Thanks for the reply . I had no clue if I was going to be irregular due to being overweight that it could start at any other time than when I first began to have my period.

It's so weird -- I've always hated my period, with the cramps and bloating and feeling even hungrier than usual, not to mention leaks and feeling gross the whole time. So I admit the first few months of skipped periods, I was a little glad I wasn't getting it, but now it's actually starting to worry me, because I wonder if it'll ever come back, and while I'm too immature to even think about being a mother now, it's possible I might want to be some day.

[LanaBear]

Sometimes it takes time for certain things to effect your body. Kind of like high blood pressure being caused by obesity for some. It probably wasn't a problem when the weight first started being put on, but over time, you may end up with high blood pressure and they may attribute it to years of being overweight.

I gained some weight in my early 20's, my period ended up becoming very irregular. But, as you become healthier, start losing some weight, your period may very well end up becoming regular again.