6 causes of irregular menstruation! SHOCKING!

The causes of irregular menstruation  vary greatly from person to person, here’s why. A period, or menstruation , is the part of the menstrual cycle where the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus , is shed. This appears as bleeding from the uterus  that is released through the vagina.

Periods usually begin during puberty, between the ages of 10 and 16, and they continue until menopause , when a woman is between the ages of 45 and 55. The causes of irregular menstruation , also called oligomenorrhea, can occur if there is a change in the method of contraception, a hormonal imbalance, hormonal changes around menopause , and resistance exercise.

Treatment for  causes of irregular menstruation  during puberty and around menopause is usually not necessary, but if irregular menstruation occurs during the reproductive years, medical advice may be necessary.

What is irregular menstruation?

When someone says they have irregular periods , they are usually referring to the number of days between cycles or the variation between periods. It is normal to have between 21 and 35 days between periods. The day that menstruation starts is considered the first day.

Also, when the next period starts, it will be the next day. The length of your menstrual cycle is calculated by counting the days that occur between the first day of one cycle and the next. When your cycle doesn’t occur you need to understand what causes it.

A longer or shorter period of menstrual bleeding is not included in the calculation because it is based on when your period starts (day one) and not when it ends. Your period is irregular if:

• It comes more often than 21 days.
• You go 35 days or more between periods.
• The length of your cycles varies widely (even though they are typically within the typical 21-35 day range).
• For example, if one cycle is 25 days but another is 33 days, this would be considered irregular. This would be irregular even if a 25 or 33 day cycle is normal.

It’s normal if your cycles vary by just a few days from month to month. For example, if one month is 33 days and another is 35 days.

Main causes of irregular menstruation :

In many cases,  irregular periods are related to a condition called anovulation. This means that ovulation did not occur during the menstrual cycle, usually due to severe hormonal imbalances.

Sometimes, the causes of irregular menstruation can be due to more subtle hormonal imbalances. You may still be ovulating, but the timing of your ovulation can vary greatly from month to month. This is because lifestyle and medical conditions can influence your menstrual cycle. The following factors can trigger :

#1 Extreme exercise or diet:

Exercising too much can delay menstrual bleeding and sometimes stop it. It is common for endurance athletes to have irregular periods . Being underweight being one of the causes of irregular menstruation , whether from extreme exercise, diet, eating disorder or illness, can have the same effect.

#2 Stress:

Chronic stress or even short term anxiety about a specific issue can wreak havoc on the hormonal balance being the causes of irregular menstruation  causing a missed period and an irregular cycle.

# 3 Pills:

Birth control pills can become one of the causes of irregular menstruation  as it makes your periods lighter, or causes you to miss periods or have less or more frequent periods or no periods at all.

#4 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS):

This medical condition causes small cysts to form on the ovaries, which is one of the causes of irregular menstruation  as it interferes with regular ovulation. Women with PCOS often have a history of irregular menstruation . In addition to causing infertility, PCOS can increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

#5 Other Diseases:

Thyroid disorders can be one of the causes of irregular menstruation  if the blood levels of thyroid hormone get too low or too high. Other health conditions that can cause an irregular cycle include sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, fibroids, eating disorders, and endometriosis.

# 6 Menopause:

When teens start having periods, their menstrual cycles are not always at the same time each month. It can take several years to settle into a pattern. Also, missed periods and lighter or heavier periods are common when women are close to menopause , which can also be one of the causes of irregular menstruation .

Among the reasons mentioned above, we can also highlight others such as:

• Endometriosis (uterine lining grows outside the uterus)
• Uterine abnormalities (fibroids or adenomyosis);
• DIU;
• Pelvic scarring due to sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea
• Heavy menstrual flow;
• Endometrial polyps (benign overgrowth of the lining of the uterus)
• Adenomyosis (the presence of uterine lining on the wall of the uterus);
• Adolescence (during which cycles may not be associated with ovulation);
• Scarring inside the uterine cavity (Asherman syndrome);
• Medications, such as those to treat epilepsy or mental health problems
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI);
• Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa or bulimia);
• Elevated levels of the hormone prolactin, which is made by the pituitary gland to help the body produce milk
• Uncontrolled diabetes;
• Cushing’s syndrome (elevated levels of the hormone cortisol, used in the body’s response to stress);
• Late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (problem with the adrenal gland).

When to see a doctor?

Causes of irregular menstruation  are common. But you might just want to check with your gynecologist and tell them you’re having irregular periods. They can do a quick safety check to make sure the cause of your irregular periods is nothing to worry about.

If you find that irregular periods are taking over your day-to-day or making your day-to-day difficult, then visit your doctor for a health checkup. Many find that their periods are more irregular during puberty or menopause . In addition, it can also be an indication of pregnancy, so if you are not sure, consult your doctor.

If your periods change suddenly, you should also see a doctor. Perhaps one of the causes is stress , but it is better to rule out any other cause for sure.

How to perceive?

A menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days but can range from 24 days to 35 days depending on the individual. Most women have between 11 and 13 irregular periods each year. Bleeding usually lasts for about 5 days, but this can also range from 2 to 7 days.

When menstruation starts, it can take up to two years to establish a regular cycle. After puberty, most women menstruate regularly. The time period between each period is similar. However, for some women, the time between periods and the amount of blood shed varies considerably. This is known as irregular menstruation .

The main symptom of  irregular menstruation  is when the cycle is longer than 35 days, or if it varies in length. If there are changes in blood flow, or if clots larger than 2.5 centimeters in diameter appear, this is also considered irregular.

Diagnosis:

The doctor will ask you a series of questions about how your period looks and how your periods are. Also, he or she may order some tests to find out the causes of irregular menstruation  like:

• Oncotia cytology (Pap smear);
• Colposcopy with biopsy if necessary;
• Pelvic ultrasound;
• Endometrial biopsy if necessary;
• Urine tests;
• Blood tests , such as a complete blood count, coagulogram, and hormone measurements.

What are the common treatments ?

Treatments for  causes of irregular menstruation often vary based on the type of irregularity and certain lifestyle factors, such as whether a woman is planning to become pregnant. Treatment for menstrual irregularities due to anovulatory bleeding (absent periods, infrequent periods, and irregular periods) include:

• Oral contraceptives;
• Cyclic progestin;
• Treatments for an underlying disorder that is causing the menstrual problem, such as counseling and nutritional therapy for an eating disorder.

Treatment for causes of irregular menstruation due to ovulatory bleeding (heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding) includes:

• Insertion of a hormone-releasing intrauterine device;
• Use of various medications (such as those containing progestin or tranexamic acid) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If the causes of irregular menstruation are structural or if medical management is ineffective, then the following may be considered:

• Surgical removal of uterine polyps or fibroids;
• Uterine artery embolization, a procedure to block blood flow to the uterus ;
• Endometrial ablation, a procedure to cauterize (remove or close by burning) the blood vessels in the endometrial lining of the uterus ;
• Hysterectomy.

If one of the  causes of irregular menstruation is dysmenorrhea (painful periods), treatment includes:

• Apply a heating pad to the abdomen;
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• Taking contraceptives, including injectable hormone therapy or birth control pills, using varying or less common treatment regimens.