Periods, hormones, and timing don’t always make a good trio, which is super frustrating. However, developing a strong understanding on the things that can impact hormone regulation and in turn periods, can help. There are a lot of different reasons why people have irregular periods. One common reason depends on how long ago someone started getting their period. If it was recent, it’s important to know that it can take about 1-2 years (after the first period) for the body to regulate and establish a schedule. Another reason for irregular periods depends on whether or not a person is sexually active. If someone is sexually active, irregular periods could be a sign of pregnancy. Finally, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) does run in families, but it’s important to speak with your health care provider (HCP) about the possibility of a PCOS diagnosis and other reasons that your period could be off. Your HCP can likely recommend some testing to determine if you have PCOS or another reason your periods are not coming regularly.