What are Irregular Periods & their Causes?

Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Posted on 09/07/2024 by Dr. Namrata Gupta

Why Are My Periods Irregular? Common Reasons Explained

Nearly 30% of women in their reproductive years experience irregular periods, which are a significant source of worry for many. A missed or delayed period may seem bothersome, but it can also indicate more serious health problems, like stress or hormone imbalances. 

Unpredictability can cause anxiety and uncertainty by upsetting regular routines. To properly manage this illness and maintain long-term reproductive health, it is imperative to understand the reasons and implications of irregular periods. Let's get into the details of aspects that lead to irregular cycles and how to resolve them to bring harmony and calmness back into your life. If you are experiencing any symptom you can consult best Gynecologist in jaipur, at RBH.

What is an irregular period?

Firstly, understand that an irregular period is not a health condition and can happen to any woman. An irregular period is when a woman observes that the menstrual cycle length suddenly falls outside its regular length. The primary signs and symptoms of an irregular period usually involve:

 

Fig 1: Irregular periods symptoms

What are Irregular Periods & their Causes?

The average length of a period is around 28-30 days, however, it can be shorter and longer than the average range. It entirely depends on the physiology of each woman. Every female physiology is unique and for some periods functions like clockwork.

What are the reasons for irregular periods?

Irregular periods also known as oligomenorrhea can happen in any female life for different reasons. The primary causes of irregular periods are follicle-stimulating hormones, oestrogen, and progesterone. These are the hormone levels that help in regulating the menstrual cycle among women. 

Women usually experience irregular periods if there is any disruption in the hormone levels or the level increases. You must comprehend one thing that irregular periods occasionally are fine and don’t raise any alarm or concern. If irregular periods are occurring every other month, then it can be an alarming situation. Here are the factors you must know that contribute to causing irregular periods:

Fig 2: Factors that cause irregular periods 

What Are the Conditions Related to Irregular Menstruation?

Underlying health conditions are causing irregular periods among women. Let’s see what are those:

• Natural hormonal shifts: During puberty, females experience countless hormonal shifts and this is why usually irregular period symptoms occur. It takes years for the hormones to have the appropriate regulation and fall into an appropriate pattern. Irregular periods also can occur after childbirth during breastfeeding till the time the hormone comes back to its normal place. Women also experience irregular periods during perimenopause. During this period, women can observe countless shifts in the hormones which naturally leads to irregular periods until they stop permanently.

• PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome: It is among one of the reasons for irregular periods. Polycystic ovarian syndrome- PCOS is a reproductive health condition among women that includes small sacs that are filled with fluid known as cysts. It increases testosterone levels and delays ovulation or even stops the period completely. The signs of PCOS problems are acne, huge hair growth, resistance to insulin affecting weight, depression, and trouble getting or staying pregnant.
• Eating disorders: Women with eating disorders also experience irregular periods. Eating disorders like binge eating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa are the primary factors of irregular periods. The signs of eating disorders are massive limitation of food, intake of calories, reducing the whole food groups like carbohydrates, fasting followed by binge-eating, visiting the washroom after meals, and eating a high quantity of food even when not hungry.
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is also one of the reproductive conditions among females that involves the growth of cells outside the uterus instead of growing inside. It makes the uterine lining thick and sheds with every menstrual cycle. If the cells grow in other areas, it thickens and shedding causes throbbing pain. The signs of endometriosis are heavy periods, large blood clots, bleeding during periods, and problems when trying to conceive.
• Thyroid: The thyroid forms hormones affecting the metabolism, heart rate, and other functionalities in the body. It also benefits in controlling ovulation timings and periods. Women with hyperthyroidism produce high levels of hormones and females with hypothyroidism cannot produce enough. It is a condition that causes heavy bleeding or not at all. The signs of thyroid are a racing heart, trouble sleeping, anxiety, feeling hot, irregular periods, weight loss, and weight gain.
• Other conditions: There are other conditions as well that cause irregular periods that are type 1 diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and hormone-secreting tumours.

How to Treat Irregular Periods?

Irregular periods don’t require treatment and are very common among every female. Irregularity because of puberty, contraception, and preimenopause doesn’t require any kind of treatment. Although, you may need the treatment or at least speak to a doctor if:

• Irregular periods are constant without reason.
• They could be related to a clinical condition.
• Irregular periods happen with signs like pelvic pain.
• You are planning a pregnancy.

When a doctor diagnoses the real reason for irregular periods, then here are some of the treatment options he/she will recommend:

• Hormonal therapy is the finest treatment option for irregular periods so a doctor might advise you to involve pills containing oestrogen and progesterone. They are useful in increasing hormonal levels.
• Your doctor will ask you to maintain the weight as it can influence your periods massively.
• Nutritional therapy is recommended when an individual is trying to gain or lose weight. When nutrition is not in sync, the menstruation cycle is affected which implies irregular periods.
• Mental health treatment is also involved as irregular periods are linked to depression, stress, anxiety, and an eating disorder. For a lot of women, it generally includes conversing with a psychologist. The doctor will help you out with therapies and eating disorders.
• Additional medications are also involved in the irregular period treatment. Some women might benefit from the medications. So, the doctor can recommend medicines like metformin to fight PCOS. It is useful in making sure of ovulation and regular periods.

What Are the Preventive Measures for Irregular Periods? 

To prevent irregular periods, lifestyle changes and medical procedures that support hormonal balance and general reproductive health are recommended, such as: 

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Manage Stress through yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can prevent hormonal imbalances that lead to irregular periods
• Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Engaging in consistent physical activity.
• Avoid excessive exercise.
• Reducing or eliminating smoking and alcohol consumption
• Keeping track of your menstrual cycle
• If irregular periods continue despite lifestyle changes, consult a healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Females keep experiencing occasional variations in their monthly cycles and that is entirely normal. However, when an individual is observing constantly short or longer cycles, then it may be an indication of some health problem. A woman needs to understand her periods as this is not required only when she is trying to conceive but also to understand her overall health. So, if you are someone noticing irregular periods every other month, you must talk to a gynaecologist.

It can be due to hormonal imbalance, health problems, or issues with ovulation. The good news is a lot of women's reproductive health issues can be treated with medications and some simple procedures with recommended lifestyle changes. In general, every woman should visit a gynaecologist at least once a year or every six months to ensure good reproductive health.

Visit our expert gynaecologist at Rukmani Birla Hospital (RBH) or book an appointment with our expert gynaecologist for any reproductive health condition.

FAQs

Are irregular periods a matter of concern?

No, usually irregular periods don’t indicate any serious health issues. However, if you are experiencing the problem every month, then you might visit a gynaecologist. He/she will diagnose the problem and if there is anything, then you will be recommended the right treatment and medications.

Can you get pregnant with irregular periods?

Yes, certainly women with irregular periods can get pregnant because ovulation is still in the process. Although, it might be difficult to predict the ovulation time every month.

Can stress cause irregular periods?

Certainly, it can be because the cortisol hormone is produced by your body when an individual is stressed out. It can cause havoc on the interaction of the ovary, pituitary, and hypothalamus resulting in irregular periods.

Can you ovulate on time when your periods are irregular?

Every woman must understand that no matter what the length of her period is, she will ovulate after 14 days. For instance, if a female has a length of 28 days then she will ovulate on the 14th day and the same goes for a female having a length of 32 days.

How to calculate cycle length with irregular periods?

Track the first day of your period for several months to determine the cycle duration for irregular periods. Keep track of the days that separate the beginning of each period. To estimate your cycle, average these lengths; however, as irregular periods are typical, deviations may occur.

Do irregular periods cause weight gain?

Yes, irregular menstruation has been linked to weight gain. Weight gain and irregular periods can both be caused by hormonal imbalances, such as those found in disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Reducing body weight and consulting a physician can help control menstruation and preserve general health.

How to use fennel seeds for irregular periods?

Soaking a teaspoon of fennel seeds in water overnight and consuming it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can help resolve the problem of irregular periods. Fennel seeds are found to assist in menstrual cycle regulation and hormone balance. 

Can the 2nd period after delivery be irregular or late?

Yes, the postpartum period can be irregular or delayed. Menstrual cycles can be irregular in the months after childbirth due to a variety of factors, including stress, nursing, and hormonal changes that occur after childbirth. Periods may require some time to restore to a consistent routine.