Causes Of Irregular Menstruation And Solution

What Is An Irregular Period?

Menstrual cycles usually last between four and seven days for most women, including those assigned as female at birth. Normal menstrual cycles range in length from 21 to 35 days. The average cycle is 29 days. There are many things that can cause irregular periods, including hormonal changes, stress, certain medical conditions, medication, and more.

What are some examples of irregular dates?

Even if your period varies slightly, it is still considered to be “regular”. Menstruation that is irregular includes:

• Periods occurring less than 21 days apart or more than 35.
• Missing more than three periods in a single period.
• The flow of menstrual blood is heavier or lighter than normal.
• Durations of more than seven days
• The time interval between cycles can vary by up to nine days. One cycle, for example, is 28 days long, the next one is 37 days, and the next one is 29 days.
• Periods that include severe pain, cramping or nausea.
• After menopause , bleeding or spotting can occur between periods.
• One or more tampons, or sanitary napkins, can be used in one hour.

Menstrual irregularities are common, and it’s not necessary to be able to predict your cycle down to the exact day. Menstrual irregularities can be common. You don’t need to be able predict your cycle down to the day to call it “normal.”

Conditions associated with irregular menstruation

• Amenorrhea is a condition in which your period has stopped. It is abnormal to not have a period in 90 days unless you are pregnant, nursing or going through Menopause. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Amenorrhea is a condition where you don’t start menstruating until you are 15 or 16, or within 3 years after your breasts have developed.
• Oligomenorrhea A condition in which your period occurs very rarely. You can go over 35 days without a period or only have 6 to 8 periods per year.
• Dysmenorrhea A medical term for painful menstrual cramps and painful periods. Normal to experience some discomfort during your period.
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding : Abnormal uterine bleed is bleeding that occurs between periods or during a heavy period.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes irregular periods in women?

Stress and other medical conditions can cause irregular periods.

Conditions medical and irregular periods

Missed menstrual periods can be associated with certain health conditions. These include:

• Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissues grow outside your uterus. This tissue can attach itself to the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can cause abnormal bleeding or cramps, as well as severe pain during and before your period.
• Female reproductive system . It is usually caused by an untreated sexually-transmitted infection (STI). Bacteria infect your vagina, then spread to the uterus and upper tract. PID symptoms include heavy vaginal discharge, an unpleasant odor and irregular periods.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In PCOS, your ovaries produce large amounts of androgens. These are hormones. This hormone can cause irregular periods by preventing or delaying ovulation. PCOS can cause women to stop menstruating.
• Primary Ovarian Insufficiency occurs in transgender women who are under 40 years old. Their ovaries do not function properly, leading to irregular or missed periods. This can happen during cancer treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, or if you suffer from certain autoimmune diseases.
• Hormone disorders caused by thyroid or pituitary disorders: Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and other thyroid or glandular disorders can affect your hormones. Your period will be irregular.
• Bleeding disorders You may experience heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle if you have a bleeding disorder or blood clotting problem.
• Uterine Cancer, or Ovarian Cancer. Certain cancers may affect a woman’s period. Some of the changes include heavier bleeding or missed periods.

Factors affecting irregular periods and lifestyle

Changes in your daily routine or disruptions can affect your menstrual cycles. Lifestyle factors can include:

• Stress.
• Weight gain or loss that is significant.
• Exercises that lead to a very low body-fat percentage (long distance runners, gymnasts or dancers).
• Viral or other illnesses.

Other causes of abnormal menstruation

Your period may be irregular due to certain medications, pregnancy complications or breastfeeding. Other causes include:

• Birth Control Pills Most birth control tablets contain a mixture of hormones. The pills work by preventing your ovaries releasing eggs. Menstruation can be affected by taking or stopping birth control pills. After discontinuing birth-control pills, you may experience irregular or missed menstruation for six months.
• Anticoagulant Drugs (blood thinners) or Steroids .
• A miscarriage, or an Ectopic pregnancy.
• Scarring, blockages or surgery on your uterus or ovaries.

Diagnosis & Tests

What is the diagnosis of irregular periods?

Keep track of your menstrual cycles if you notice a change. Notify your doctor of any changes in symptoms, flow, cramping or bleeding. All of these are important to discuss with your doctor.

Your provider will ask about your medical history and menstrual cycle to diagnose irregular periods. The doctor will perform a full physical exam, which includes a Pelvic Exam. The doctor may also order tests such as:

• Pelvic ultrasound A pelvic ultrasound can detect irregular blood flow due to polyps, uterine fibroids or an ovarian a cyst.
• An endometrial biopsy is performed by your provider. It can be used to diagnose endometriosis or hormonal imbalances, as well as precancerous tissue.
• A Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows you to see inside your uterus to diagnose and treat abnormal bleeding.

Management and Treatment

What is the treatment for irregular periods?

Treatment for irregular periods is dependent on the cause.

Medication for irregular periods

If you have irregular periods, medication is often the first thing that your doctor will recommend. Your provider may suggest surgery if medication does not help. Some medications that may be prescribed include:

• Hormonal Birth Control: Heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding due to PCOS, uterine fibroid, endometriosis, or other medical conditions can be controlled with hormonal birth controls. These pills also regulate your cycle and make it more predictable. They can be progestin only birth control or a combination of progestin and estrogen. These two types are available in different forms, such as a pill, vaginal rings, injections, or IUDs (intrauterine devices).
• Tranexamic Acid: A medication prescribed to treat menstrual heavy bleeding. Take one pill to stop bleeding at the beginning of your period.
• Pain relievers You can find relief for mild to moderate pain by taking over-the-counter pain-relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Hormone Therapy can be useful if you have irregular periods due to perimenopause. Other menopausal symptom like hot flashes and vaginal drying can be helped by hormone therapy. Hormone therapy can have risks, so discuss them with your doctor.
• Antibiotics : You may be prescribed antibiotics for irregular bleeding if it is caused by an infection.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: These medications shrink the size of uterine fibroids and control heavy bleeding, but temporarily stop your menstrual period.

Surgery for irregular menstrual periods

There are different surgical options depending on the condition, your age and if you plan to become pregnant again. The following surgical treatments are available for irregular menstruation:

• Ablation of the endometrium This procedure uses heat, cold and other types of energy in order to destroy tissue that lines the uterus. The result is that you will bleed less when your period comes. This procedure requires that you have some form of birth-control. This procedure is not recommended if you plan to become pregnant in the near future.
• A procedure for removing uterine fibroids that can cause irregular bleeding.
• Uterine arterial embolization : A procedure which cuts off the blood supply to your body in order to stop fibroids.
• Hyperthyroidism In severe cases, it may be necessary to perform surgery in order to remove the excess endometrial tissues growing on your abdomen or pelvis. If your uterus is severely damaged, a hysterectomy may be the last option.