Woman’s body goes through series of changes monthly in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. These series of change is called menstrual cycle. Every month ovaluation happens that means one of the ovaries releases an egg and hormonal changes prepare uterus for pregnancy at same time. If egg is not fertilized, bleeding from womb is released through vagina. That is your period or regular period. This menses cycle generally happens between 28 days and periods are considered irregular menses if the duration exceeds 28 days.
Do u remember, how old you were when you got your first period. Periods generally starts at age of 10 to 16 years and lasts till 40 to 45 years.
Symptoms of irregular menses or periods
If the length of menses cycle is more than 35 days or less than 21 days.
If blood flow is too heavy or light,
If clot appears that are more than 2.5 centimeters in diameter
If bleeding is happening more than seven days.
Severe cramping or pain and discomfort,
Vomiting
Missed three or four menstrual cycles/periods.
Irregular menses causes
Irregular menses happens because of many factors or reasons but the most common is hormonal imbalance:
Hormonal Imbalance: The two hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) regulates the menstrual cycle and if they get imbalance that causes an disrupt in the menstrual cycle.
Stress or Anxiety – stressing out on any problem can upset your hormonal balance that can lead to a missed period or an irregular menses cycle.
Poor Diet – diet low in nutrients, antioxidants and probiotic foods can strain the adrenal and thyroid glands, and this can lead to raise the cortisol level in your body (a hormone that is released at the time of stress). And this cortisol imbalance leads to disrupting the menstrual cycle.
Eating Disorders – Eating disorders leads to low levels of reproductive hormones, which causes irregular menses.
Extreme Weight Loss or Gain – if there is a sudden weight gain or weight loss then it affects the regularity of menses
Too much Exercise/Running/Cycling – Too much exercising results in weight loss and it causes shift in hormonal imbalance thus resulting in irregular menses.
Using Birth Control Pills– consumption of Birth control pills can make periods lighter, , and even no periods at all.
Bleeding Disorders – If a woman has clotting in bleeding then it can lead to prolonged or heavy bleeding.
Hypothyroidism – if you are suffering from thyroid then u will be having irregular menses.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – A woman who is going through pelvic inflammatory disease might experience irregular menses/periods.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – A woman with PCOS does not release an egg every month. So, there are increased chances of irregular periods.
When to call your healthcare provider
There are several possible causes of irregular menses that needs medical treatment. Make an appointment to your doctor if:
your are not pregnant and your periods stop for more than 3 months
your period lasts longer than 7 days
you blood flow is more
severe pain during your menses
your menses cycle is less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart
spotting between periods
fever
unusual discharge