Can a Missed Period Get Stuck Inside You?

Dear TeenHealth FX,

I just read a book in which a girl with a few missed periods had a dilation and curettage. The explanation was that everything built inside of her and turned in to an emergency. The book was published sixty years ago, so it could have had outdated medical information. I thought that a missed period came from failure to ovulate, not it getting stuck in your uterus. Was what happened to that character real? Can a missed period get stuck inside you?

TeenHealth FX wants you to know that your curiosity is completely normal. Although we do not know which book you read, Teenhealth FX suggest that any medical information / advice you read is published within 5 – 10 years for the most accurate information and comes from a reliable website or source. Websites that have .org, .gov, .net, .edu are best!

 Yes, a period can be stuck inside you, it is a condition known as vaginal agenesis. During pregnancy, a baby's reproductive system may not finish developing in the mother's uterus. Most female born individuals will not notice until they are in the age range for their first period. For more information on this, the symptoms, treatment, etc. Please click this link, for the [Boston Children’s Hospital Information Page.

 Missed or irregular periods can happen for a few reasons:

• If you have recently gotten your period for the first time then your body is still trying to get used to a new cycle and the changes going on,
• Some medication can cause it (speak to your doctor about your medication side effects),
• Pregnancy,
• Increased stress or exercise,
• A very high or low body weight,
• Hormone imbalances (ex. Birth control or thyroid problems).

Please note, that there is a small chance that ovulation can still occur with a missed or irregular period so always practice safe sex to avoid pregnancy.

If you have experienced a missed period for an extended period of time, or fear that you may be pregnant then please contact your doctor for a pregnancy test or more information on why you are missing your period. If you do not have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the [Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist.

Please visit these sites for more information on pregnancy prevention and missed periods:

• [TeenHealth FX: Females – Your Period
• [TeenHealth FX: Menstruation
• [TeenHealth FX: Could I Be Pregnant?
• [TeenHealth FX: Female Body Concerns