10 Common Causes of Irregular Periods & How to Manage Them

An estimated 14% to 25% of women of childbearing age experience irregular menstrual cycles. It means that their menstrual cycle is shorter or longer than usual or the flow is lighter or heavier than normal.

These statistics clearly state that irregular periods are one of the most common health problems in women. Hence, it is important to understand its causes. And in this blog, we will be discussing the causes and suggesting some ways women can manage them.

Normal vs Irregular Menstrual Cycle

A normal menstrual cycle occurs every 21 to 35 days and lasts for about 3 to 7 days. Moreover, regular periods also have manageable flow and pain.
An irregular cycle, on the other hand, might include delayed or missed periods, heavy or extremely light bleeding, and very frequent cycles.

Signs of irregular menstrual cycle

Cases of bleeding between periods
Early or delayed periods every month.
No periods for months

Here are 10 most common causes of Irregular Periods

Now, let’s get to the core of our blog and talk about the most common causes of irregular menstrual cycles.

1- Hormonal Imbalance: A lack of balance between estrogen and progesterone is among the top causes of irregular periods. It is common in teenage years and also witnessed near menopause.

2- PCOD and PCOS: PCOD has a direct effect on ovulation, which leads to absent or irregularity in periods. Sudden weight gain, difficulty in conceiving, and acne are some other symptoms of the same.

3- Lifestyle Factors: Increased stress levels, disturbed sleep cycle, and other forms of erratic routine also affect hormones directly.

4- Fluctuation in Weight: Sudden and extreme changes in weight have an effect on estrogen levels. Hence, obesity and crash dieting can also lead to a disrupted menstrual cycle.

5- Thyroid Disorders: Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are also linked directly to menstrual cycle problems. They can result in light, heavy, or even missed periods.

6- Too much Exercise: Overexercising also suppresses ovulation and it can lead to missed or absent periods. It is seen quite commonly in fitness enthusiasts and athletes.

7- Birth Control Pills: Contraceptive pills can also disturb periods temporarily. This disturbance is most prominent right after either starting or stopping pills.

8- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: One of the most common reasons for missed periods is early pregnancy. Moreover, breastfeeding also delays the return of the menstrual cycle.

9- Perimenopause: Late 30s and 40s hormonal changes can also lead to shorter, longer, or altogether skipped periods.

10-Prior Underlying Medical Conditions: Some conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic infections can also result in an abnormal menstrual cycle. Notably, these conditions require a medical diagnosis.

How can you manage Irregular Periods?

Practica Yoga and meditation for managing stress levels
Exercise regularly and take a balanced diet
Maintain a healthy body mass index
Track your periods using different apps

If you evaluate the irregularities early on, it improves the chances of irregular periods treatment in India being successful.

Medical treatment options for irregular periods

Depending on the cause behind your disruptions in menstrual cycle, the treatment may include the following:

Thyroid treatment
Hormonal therapy
PCOD Medication

When to consult a gynecologist?

You completely missed your periods for the last 2-3 months

Experienced unusually severe pain or heavy bleeding during periods
You’re facing problems in getting pregnant

If you want to ensure timely care for yourself, remember to consult a gynecologist for irregular periods and try to find the best gynecologist for menstrual care.

Conclusion

As you saw, the causes of irregular periods are several. Moreover, there are some causes that have got to do with your lifestyle, as well. Hence, staying aware is extremely important for you to keep a tab on your reproductive health.

Lastly, you must not shy away from consulting an expert gynecologist, like Dr. Yuvakshi Juneja, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms that we talked about above. After all, early evaluation will definitely increase your chances of treating the problem of irregular periods.