Periods for most are uncertain. Some months, your cycle seems perfectly normal. During others – your cycle suddenly stops behaving like clockwork, and you begin to worry.
You aren’t pregnant, and you’re definitely nowhere near menopause, so what’s the issue? Are your irregular periods a sign of a deeper problem?
Worry not; we answer all these questions and more in our article below!
What are Irregular Periods?
An irregular period is when your menstrual cycle comes either earlier or later than your usual range and can have the following signs or symptoms:
- Bleeding or spotting
- Bleeding after sex
- Heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle
- A menstrual cycle that lasts longer than usual
- Bleeding after menopause
- Intense pain or cramping
- Nausea or vomiting
Reasons for Irregular Periods
- Diabetes: If you have undiagnosed diabetes, the interaction between your blood sugar levels and hormones can disturb your natural menstrual cycle.
- Eating Disorder: For individuals with anorexia or bulimia, your body may not produce or circulate enough hormones to keep your menstrual cycle intact.
- Prolactin: Women who have an excess of these hormones in their blood could be prone to irregular periods.
- Medication: Certain pills, such as antiepileptics and antipsychotics, can lead to irregular periods.
- PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome, caused by sex hormone irregularities, can also disrupt mensuration
- Stress: Prolonged stress can lead to you skipping your period entirely.
P.S. – When you first begin menstruating, it could take upto a year for your period to become regular. So, don’t worry about irregularities in the beginning!
Signs of Irregular Periods
If you experience any of the following signs, please consult a doctor:
- You haven’t menstruated for 90 days
- Your menstrual cycle becomes irregular suddenly
- You get your period every 21 days
- You get your period every 35+ days
- Your menstrual cycle lasts for more than a week
- Your flow is extremely heavy
- You bleed between your cycles
- Your menstrual cycle is too painful
A lady doctor can help you determine the cause of this irregularity and help you find the best treatment plan.
Keeping an eye on your cycle and knowing when things are changing is a great way to take ownership of yourself and your health, and we urge you to do the same!
