Hello Giggles, a positive online community for women, interviews Mark P. Trolice, M.D., for his insights on things gynecologists wish they could tell you about your period.

“The lack of a period can result from a hormonal disorder (see PCOS) with risk of uterine cancer, as well as a serious medical problem such as anorexia, brain pituitary growth, or extreme stress with risk of bone loss and possible mortality,” says Dr. Trolice.