What you need to know about irregular periods | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

What you need to know about irregular periods

The normal length of a woman's menstrual cycle is 28 days, but this varies between individuals. Irregular menstruation is when the length of the cycle is more than 35 days, or if the duration varies as described by Dr Rama Sofat(IVF EXPERT)

A period, or menstruation, is the part of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus, is shed. This appears as bleeding from the womb that is released through the vagina.

Periods usually start during puberty, between the ages of 10 and 16 years, and they continue until menopause, when a woman is 45- to 55-years old.

Irregular periods, also called oligomenorrhea, can occur if there is a change in contraception method, a hormone imbalance, hormonal changes around the time of the menopause, and endurance exercises by Dr Rama Sofat(IVF EXPERT).

Treatment for irregular periods during puberty and around the menopause is not usually necessary, but if irregular periods occur during the reproductive years, medical advice may be necessary.

Symptoms

A menstrual cycle lasts around 28 days, but it can vary from 24 days to 35 days, depending on the individual.

Most women have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods each year. Bleeding usually lasts around 5 days, but this too can vary, from 2 to 7 days.

When menstruation first starts, it can take up to 2 years to establish a regular cycle. After puberty, most women's menstruation is regular. The length of time between each period is similar.

However, for some women, the time between periods and the amount of blood shed vary 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.

Causes

A number of factors increase the chance of irregular menstruation. Most relate to hormone production. The two hormones that impact menstruation are estrogen and progesterone. These are the hormones that regulate the cycle.

Hormonal influences

Life cycle changes that influence the hormonal balance include puberty, menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth, and breastfeeding.

During puberty, the body undergoes major changes. It can take several years for the estrogen and progesterone to reach a balance, and irregular periods are common at this time.

Before menopause, women often have irregular periods, and the amount of blood shed may vary. Menopause occurs when 12 months have passed since the woman's last menstrual period. After the menopause, a woman will no longer have periods.

During pregnancy, menstruation ceases, and most women do not have periods while they are breast-feeding.

Contraceptives can cause irregular bleeding. An intrauterine device (IUD) may cause heavy bleeding, while the contraceptive pill can cause spotting between periods.

When a woman first uses the contraceptive pill, she may experience small bleeds that are generally shorter and lighter than normal periods. These usually go away after a few months.

Other changes that are associated with irregular periods include:

• extreme weight loss
• extreme weight gain
• emotional stress
• eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
• endurance exercise, for example, marathon running.

A number of disorders are also linked to missed or irregular menstruation.

Complications

Irregular periods can sometimes indicate a health problem, and some of these can lead to further problems, such as fertility issues.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a number of small, fluid-filled sacs known as cysts develop in the ovaries.

A woman with PCOS does not ovulate, and she does not release an egg every month. Symptoms include irregular or no periods, obesity, acne, and excess hair growth.

Women with PCOS have unusually high levels of the male sex hormone, androgen, or testosterone.

Treatment

Puberty and menopause: Irregular periods that occur during puberty or as the woman approaches menopause do not usually need treatment.

Birth control: If irregular bleeding is due to contraception, and it continues for several months, the woman should talk to a health care professional about other options.

PCOS and obesity: In cases of PCOS, overweight, or obesity losing weight may help stabilize menstruation. A lower weight means the body does not need to produce so much insulin. This leads to lower testosterone levels and a better chance of ovulating.

Thyroid problems: Treatment for the underlying problem is likely to be prescribed. This may include medication, radioactive iodine therapy or surgery.

Stress and eating disorders: Psychological therapy may help if emotional stress, an eating disorder, or sudden weight loss have triggered irregular periods. This may include relaxation techniques, stress management, and talking to a therapist.