Table of Contents
Introduction
Irregular periods, also called irregular menstrual cycles, are a common issue that many women face. Irregular periods refer to changes in the length, frequency, or duration of one’s menstrual cycle.
Although it is normal to have irregular periods once in a while, persistent irregular cycles need medical care.
In this article, let us briefly discuss irregular periods, their causes, and treatment.
What are irregular periods?
The ideal gap between two menstrual cycles for a woman must be around 21 to 38 days.
But if the number of days in between two periods is less than 21 days or more than 38 days, it is considered an irregular period or irregular menstrual cycle.
Causes of irregular periods
There are a lot of reason for irregular periods, including:
1. Exclusive Breastfeeding: If you are a breastfeeding mom, irregular periods are very common. Since the prolactin hormones are high during this time, it delays the menstrual cycle.
2. Puberty: Many girls have irregular bleeding after hitting puberty or after their first menstrual period for the first few years.
3. Hormonal imbalance: Hormonal imbalance is one of the major causes of irregular periods. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are majorly responsible for ovulation, and any imbalance in them can result in missed or delayed periods.
4. Anovulation: Anovulation is a condition where ovulation does not happen. It is the exact opposite of ovulation. When ovulation does not happen, the egg is not released, which leads to missed or irregular periods.
5. Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus. Some women with ectopic pregnancy experience irregular menstrual cycles.
6. Having an intrauterine device (IUD): An IUD is a form of contraceptive where a copper device is inserted into the vagina by the gynecologist. Some women with IUD may experience irregular periods.
7. Perimenopause: Perimenopause is a phase before menopause. During perimenopause, the hormones responsible for ovulation start to dip, resulting in irregular or delayed periods.
8. Medications: The use of certain medications, including birth control pills and hormonal pills, can lead to irregular periods.
9. Too much exercise: Too much exercise or physical activity all of a sudden can alter the hormone, leading to irregular periods.
10. Stress: Stress is yet another cause of irregular periods. High stress levels increase cortisol hormones, which bring down estrogen levels, delaying your periods.
Underlying medical condition for irregular periods
- Adenomyosis: Adenomyosis is a condition where the uterus area is bulky or bigger in size than usual. This is a condition where a tissue similar to endometrium grows in the wall of the uterus, which could result in irregular periods.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder where a woman has high levels of androgen hormone, which interrupts ovulation. Women with PCOS often suffer from irregular periods, and it is one of the common symptoms of PCOS.
- Thyroid: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck region. When the thyroid gland makes an excess of hormones, it elevates the prolactin levels, impacting ovulation.
- Polyps on the uterine lining: Uterine polyps are excessive tissue growths that are attached to the endometrium. They affect the menstrual cycle as they are one of the major symptoms of polyps in irregular periods.
- Uterine fibroids: Fibroids are growths that occur outside the uterus. The fibroids alter the hormonal balance of the body, leading to irregular periods.
8 types of abnormal menstruation
The 8 types of abnormal menstruation are:
- Amenorrhea: Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual cycle. A woman is diagnosed with amenorrhea if she misses three consecutive menstrual cycles.
- Oligomenorrhea: Oligomenorrhea is a condition where a woman experiences irregular menstruation and can go more than 35 days without a period. This is due to a hormonal imbalance in the body, and it mostly happens for those who have just had their first period or women who are in their perimenopause phase.
- Dysmenorrhea: Dysmenorrhea is a menstrual condition where a woman experiences severe menstrual cramps both before and during the menstrual cycle. This condition is often accompanied by other symptoms, including back pain and thigh pain.
- Menorrhagia: Menorrhagia is a condition where a woman experiences heavy menstrual periods with severe cramps. Unlike dysmenorrhea, women with menorrhagia have bleeding for a longer number of days than usual.
- Metrorrhagia: Similar to menorrhagia, metrorrhagia is a condition where bleeding can occur even between menstrual cycles. This condition makes it difficult to predict and track periods as it can occur anytime during the menstrual cycle.
- Polymenorrhea: Polymenorrhea is a condition where a woman gets her period more than once a month. But the duration of the periods may not be the same as a regular menstrual cycle and can be shorter.
- Hypomenorrhea: Hypomenorrhea is a condition where a woman bleeds abnormally less than average. This means lighter periods that last for a lesser number of days.
- Hypermenorrhea: Hypermenorrhea refers to abnormally heavy periods that occur more frequently than a regular menstrual cycle.
Treatment for irregular periods
Irregular periods treatment include:
Gynecologist: Consulting with a gynecologist is the first thing to do when you experience irregular periods to get adequate treatment. The healthcare professional might prescribe birth control to regulate periods.
Diet: It is important to have a balanced diet with all the essential, vital nutrients in it. Not just for irregular periods but for the overall wellbeing of the body.
Exercise: Apart from medications and diet, it is also important to engage in physical activity for at least 20 minutes a day.
Home remedies for irregular periods
Apart from medication, there are a few home remedies you can do to regulate your irregular periods such as:
- Maintain proper diet
- Practise Yoga
- Maintain healthy weight
- Herbal tea (ginger, cinnamon, chamomile and green tea)
- Adequate intake of supplements.
When to consult a gynecologist?
It is important to consult with a gynecologist if you don’t get your periods within 40 days of the cycle or when they are over 7 days late.
It is also important to meet your gyencologist if irregular periods are persistent and if the flow is heavier or lighter than normal.
In simple words, meet your gynecologist if the flow is lighter and lasts for less than 2 days or if the flow is very heavy and lasts more than 7 days.
Conclusion
Although menstrual disorders are quite common, they can be a result of an underlying medical condition, including endometriosis, fibroids, thyroid, and PCOS. Hence, it is important to consult with a gynecologist and take adequate treatments.
If you are searching for a “doctor for period problems near me”, contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733 for consultations with the best gynecologist in Chennai, Dr. Deepthi Jammi.
FAQ
1. What is the reason for irregular periods?
The major causes of irregular periods are:
- Hormonal changes
- anovulation
- Weight gain or weight loss
- PCOS
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Stress
- Over doing exercise
2. How can I solve my irregular periods problem?
To treat your irregular periods:
- Consult with a gynecologist
- Improve eating habits
- Involve yourself in physical activity for at least 20 minutes a day
- Medication recommended by the gynecologist
- Improved sleep patterns
3. Are irregular periods normal?
It is normal for women to have irregular periods once in a while. But consistent, irregular periods are a concern. You must consult with a gynecologist and take adequate treatment.
4. How much delay in periods is normal?
If your menstrual cycle is around 28 days, it is okay for your periods to be up to 7 days late. Anything more than that requires medical advice.
5. Is irregular periods harmful?
Although irregular periods are quite common, they require medical help. Irregular periods can sometimes be linked to an underlying medical condition such as PCOS, fibroids, or endometriosis.
Hence, it is important to talk to a gynecologist if you experience irregular periods.
