Experiencing irregular periods occasionally is quite normal; no need to take the stress! However, if you have irregular periods for a long time, it is a matter of great concern. In the case of short or long menstrual cycles, cycles that alter from month to month or missed periods signify the underlying health condition.
Clinicians often consider irregular periods if the cycle is longer than 38 days or its length varies by more than 9 or 7 days. In this blog, we will be discussing the reasons, signs, and treatment for irregular periods.
Various reasons for irregular periods
There are numerous reasons for an irregular menstrual cycle; certain conditions are severe, while others are not. The causes of irregular periods are pregnancy, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, breastfeeding, stress, perimenopause, hormone birth control methods, thyroid disorders, and endometriosis, among others.
1. Pregnancy
The female stops were getting a period during pregnancy. The missed period or spotting may be the earliest sign; other signs are:
- Nausea & morning sickness
- Smell sensitivity
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
If the periods are late, you must take a pregnancy test or consult a doctor. Also, if bleeding occurs in the case of pregnancy, then it could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy.
2. Breastfeeding
Prolactin is a crucial hormone that plays a significant role in breast milk production, and it also suppresses ovulation, which means that you will not get periods. The periods return to normal after an individual start breastfeeding at a lesser frequency or when it is stopped.
3. Hormonal birth control
The ovulation gets suppressed with hormonal birth control, and you will not get a true period. You can get irregular periods if you use patches, hormonal birth control pills, intrauterine devices, and implants. Females can also experience light or heavy bleeding and spotting. In case of any severe condition, you can consult a specialist.
4. Perimenopause
It is the first stage of menopause and starts 4-8 hours before menopause. During this phase, the menstrual cycle gets shorter or longer, and periods can happen at a lesser frequency. The vital signs of perimenopause are:
- Changes in mood
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty in sleeping and night sweats
Menopause and perimenopause are quite natural. However, the changes in the body can be distressing or uncomfortable. It can be managed under the supervision of a qualified doctor.
5. Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCOD is another cause of irregular periods in which cysts grow in the ovaries. Females with this condition have high androgen levels known as male sex hormones. The condition can stop ovulation and leads to irregular periods. You may miss periods or have heavy bleeding if you have this condition. Other signs are:
- Weight gain
- Excess body or facial hair
- Oily skin and acne
- A problem in getting pregnant
- Insulin resistance
- Hair loss
As such, there is no diagnostic test for PCOS, and specialists can detect the presence of cysts in the ovaries with the help of an ultrasound scan. The treatment is based on the person’s will to conceive, and the medicines can be taken accordingly. Also, you can lose weight and avoid the intake of high-sugar foods.
6. Stress
High stress is a significant problem of irregular periods. The clinical study exhibited that changes in the menstrual cycle are associated with heavy and long periods. The body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenalin in anxiety. These released stress hormones can interact with sex hormones affecting menstruation and resulting in irregular periods.
If you are experiencing the signs of chronic stress, then contact a mental health professional. He will provide you with various stress-reduction techniques and coping strategies.
7. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids can also result in an irregular menstrual cycle affecting the uterus wall. However, fibroids are non-cancerous, but you can have painful and heavy periods. Signs of uterine fibroids are:
- Pain in the leg
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
The pain can be managed with medicines, and doctors can prescribe an iron supplement to prevent anemia in case of heavy bleeding. Also, the surgery can be performed for the removal of large fibroids.
8. Thyroid
Thyroid disorders are the primary reason for excessive and long irregular periods. Hypothyroidism, where thyroid glands don’t produce enough hormones, leads to heavy periods. You can also experience weight gain, tiredness, and sensitivity to colds. Hyperthyroidism, the overactive thyroid, can result in light and short periods, and the person can also have anxiety, weight loss, and cardiac palpitations.
The doctor will provide medications for irregular periods along with tests for detecting thyroid levels. He will prescribe medicine to replace missing hormones in case of hypothyroid and medicines to decrease thyroid function in case of hyperthyroid.
9. Endometriosis
Endometriosis impacts around 190 million females of reproductive age globally. The tissue is formed and grows outside the uterus, causing pain during mensuration. Other signs are:
- Periods for a long duration
- Heavy bleeding
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain at the time of sex
Surgery is the only method to improve irregular periods and treat the condition of endometriosis. Also, hormonal therapy and medicines can tackle the signs. Hence, if you are trying to become pregnant, you may require surgery to remove tissue growing outside the uterus.
10. Excessive exercise
Excess exercise can interfere with hormones linked with menstruation and is one of the causes of irregular periods. The risk groups are dancers, athletes, and females who are trained extensively. If the regimen of intense exercise is done with a restrictive diet, then an individual may face the following:
- Menstrual changes
- Disordered eating
- Osteoporosis
After a discussion with the patient, the clinician will determine the underlying problems of irregular periods, such as exercise. He will recommend you modify your diet and exercise regimen.
11. Cervical and endometrial cancer
Endometrial or cervical cancer is a possible cause of irregular periods as it may cause unusual bleeding from the uterus that can appear like a period. The clinician may take a tissue sample for analysis, and he can also ask you to go for an ultrasound. The treatment of cancer includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
When to take the consultation with a licensed professional
It would help if you talked to the clinician under the below-mentioned conditions:
- Suddenly develop irregular periods
- Stop having periods for many months and are not pregnant
- Cycle shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days.
- Have bleeding between periods or after sex
- Experience signs like fever or vaginal discharge.
There are many causes of irregular periods that are discussed above. Specific reasons are not severe, but others are! Also, certain medical conditions can lead to irregular periods.
The clinician can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend treatment or therapies for irregular menstrual cycles. Moreover, many of these conditions can be managed with the proper diagnosis and approach.
So, if you are looking to take the advice of the best gynecologists in Delhi, then Crysta IVF is your one-stop destination. The specialist will advise and help detect irregular periods problems, and she will also deliver the right treatment therapy and help you to recover faster.
