Irregular Periods: Causes, Symptoms, Side Effects, & Treatment

Periods, also known as menstrual cycles, are an essential part of women’s reproductive health. It typically occurs every 21 to 35 days, with each cycle lasting about 3 to 7 days. However, many women experience irregularities in this process where either the flow is inconsistent or the length of the cycle varies.

Here, we will explore everything about irregular periods, their causes, symptoms, side effects, and how to treat irregular periods.

Understanding Irregular Periods

Irregular periods are conditions where the menstrual cycle differs significantly from its normal range. Here, a woman’s period might arrive early or later than the expected date. Or the duration and the flow might vary each month. In some cases, they also might experience missed periods or skipped cycles.

Causes

Let’s discuss the irregular period causes commonly observed in women.

Hormonal Changes

Hormones have a major impact on women’s health. Hormones like progesterone and oestrogen regulate the periods. When they are imbalanced, it leads to irregular periods. Some conditions associated with hormonal imbalances are:

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): A hormonal disorder that causes irregular periods, excessive hair growth, and ovarian cysts. It is also one of the common irregular period causes in young women.

Thyroid Disorders: Thyroid hormone plays a significant role in regulating the periods. Thus, imbalance in them causes irregular periods.

Prolactin Imbalance: Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Excessive prolactin is also one of the irregular period causes.

Poor Lifestyle and Stress

Stress and poor lifestyles are the prime contributors to many ailments these days. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol that interferes with the normal function of the reproductive system. Similarly, excessive junk food, lack of sleep, and indulgence in smoking and alcohol also lead to irregular cycles.

Medications or Health Conditions

Medications like birth control pills, IUDs, and implants can also alter the menstrual cycles. Apart from these health conditions, fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory diseases also trigger irregular periods.

Perimenopause

As women approach the age of late 40’s and early 50’s, they experience perimenopausal. It often leads to changes in the length and frequency of the periods.

Symptoms

Here are some of the irregular period symptoms that one can experience.

• Inconsistent Bleeding: Some women experience heavy bleeding leading to anaemia or fatigue, whereas some experience light bleeding.
• Painful Periods: Another irregular period symptom is intense menstrual cramps.
• Spotting between Periods: Unexpected bleeding between periods can also be a sign of an underlying issue.
• Fertility Issues: Women may also find it difficult to conceive because of irregular periods.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, visit the best gynaecologist in Kanpur​ to find the solution!

Side Effects

After discussing the causes and symptoms, let’s now move to the side effects of irregular periods.

Infertility

One of the leading side effects of irregular periods is infertility. It is observed that women with irregular periods face issues with ovulation, making it harder to conceive.

Chronic Pain

Certain conditions, like endometriosis or fibroids, can lead to painful periods and chronic pelvic pain. These things impact the quality of women’s lives.

Emotional Distress

Hormonal imbalances related to irregular periods can contribute to various mental issues such as mood swings, anxiety and depression. Apart from that, unpredictable cycles can also cause emotional distress.

Fatigue

Heavy bleeding during irregular periods may reduce the healthy red blood cells, causing anaemia. This can result in fatigue, weakness, and dizziness, making it difficult for women to lead a normal life.

Treatment

After discussing the problem, let’s discover how to treat irregular periods. Treatment for irregular periods can vary with underlying cause, severity, and individual health. Here are some common treatments.

Hormonal Treatments

Hormonal treatments include:

• Birth Control Pills: These pills are given to regulate the periods and provide consistent and predictable periods.
• Hormonal IUDs: These are the devices that release a small amount of hormones to regulate the periods.
• Progesterone Therapy: Progesterone supplements are provided to women with insufficient progesterone levels to restore the regular cycle.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes such as having a balanced diet and regular exercise help to support overall reproductive health. Along with these, stress management techniques like meditation or therapies are also helpful for irregular periods.

Medications

Medications might have to be included for individuals with conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorder, or even diabetes to recover from irregular periods.

Surgical Options

Surgical treatments may be suggested for women with conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, and polyps to resolve the problem.

Conclusion

Irregular periods are a common issue that may be due to various reasons, from hormonal changes to perimenopausal. Understanding its symptoms and side effects is essential to finding the right treatment. Therefore, women experiencing irregular cycles must address this issue as early as possible for a healthy and quality life.

You may also read: How to take Care of Menstrual Hygiene During Periods