Q:

I was wondering how long it is healthy to go without a period. It has been 10 weeks since my last one and went 12 weeks before that. I am not on birth control and am not sexually active. I am an athlete and exercise about 15 hours a week, but I do not believe I am under weight.

I have read online that it could be an imblanace of hormones. Is it a sign of a hormone imbalance to have pubic hair on my thighs and a significant "happy trail". I shave a lot because it is kind of embarassing and it doesn't seem like other girls have this issue.

 

A:

You may be having infrequent periods due to cycles that are anovulatory (not making an egg regularly) due to a hormonal imbalance in the ovaries or other gland secretion problem (thyroid, adrenals). It makes sense given the extra hair growth you deal with that you come in for some hormonal testing as there can be treatment that can be quite helpful.

~The Doc