You may be wondering why your period seems to come late some months, and early other months, and sometimes not at all. Irregular periods are totally normal in the beginning. Your body is learning how to regulate your cycles and it could be months, or even years, before you have regular monthly periods.

There are other reasons why your period could be irregular – you may be too thin, overweight, too stressed, or not have enough iron in your blood. If your period doesn’t come at all, this is your body sending you a message. Keeping healthy is important, so make sure you eat protein-rich foods (like chicken, eggs and nuts) and get lots of sleep.

A great way to track your period is to count your cycle, so that you know when to expect your period. If it’s a 28-day cycle, your period should last 5 to 7 days. So count from the last day of your previous period and stop counting on the first day of your next. Do this for three months and if the number of days between stopping and starting your period is very different every month, it means your cycle is irregular.

Some girls have hormonal imbalances caused by lifestyle factors (too much exercise or dieting, stress or taking the birth control pill) or a medical condition (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome), and this can be the cause for irregular periods too.

It’s important to start looking after your body. Self-care will ensure you manage your stress levels, good amounts of exercise will keep you fit and produce feel-good hormones, and healthy eating will ensure you’re giving your body the fuel it needs to operate properly.

If you don’t get your period for a few months or they are longer than 7 days, then it’s advisable to go and see your doctor or talk to an adult you trust and feel comfortable with.