Dear chikita05,

Yes. A missed period can be a sign of pregnancy, but there are other reasons why a girl might miss her period — including stress, illness, a diet that's too low in fat, changes in sleep patterns or exercise, or just a period that hasn't become regular yet.

It can take a while for a young woman's body to adjust to hormone changes and begin to "run" smoothly and regularly. She might have a light flow or a heavy flow, the length of the flow may vary, or her periods might be late. She might even skip some months. Usually, a young woman's periods and cycles become more regular as she grows older.

Of course, if a woman's been having unprotected vaginal intercourse and misses a period, she should consider taking a pregnancy test. Women who miss three or more periods should see a clinician who can determine why she's missing her periods, and prescribe treatment, if necessary.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.