An irregular period is a condition in which a woman's menstrual cycle takes different amounts of time each month. For example, a girl may menstruate after 24 days one month and 45 days the next. Irregular periods are common in many cases, especially during the first few years of menstruation.
Menstruation in women is an ovulation process, which means that an egg is released from the ovary about two weeks before each period begins. The egg travels to the uterus (womb) through a tube known as the fallopian tube. When this egg is not fertilized by sperm during intercourse, the lining of the uterus and the egg are shed from the girl's uterus and menstruation begins. This happens every month in case of regular menstruation and hence is known as a menstrual cycle.
Menstrual bleeding occurs once a month and the menstrual cycle is about 24 days long. Cycles can be short or long for different women.
Most women feel embarrassed to talk about menstruation. Some women suffer from irregular menstruation or period problems.
Let's learn more about irregular periods through today's article.
- What is irregular period?
- What are the causes of irregular menstruation?
- What are the symptoms of irregular menstruation?
- How to diagnose irregular menstruation?
- What is the treatment of irregular menstruation?
- What are the complications of irregular menstruation?
- How to prevent irregular periods?
You can read..
What is irregular period?
If a woman's menstrual cycle is regular, the cycle occurs at the right time. Regular cycles occur between 21 and 35 days. If the period is less or more than one month it is called irregular period or menses.
Irregular periods are nothing to panic about. But if the cycle is irregular for a long time, it needs treatment.
What are the causes of irregular menstruation?
The causes of irregular periods are:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This is a condition of hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries produce excess male hormones (known as androgens).
- Uterine fibroids or polyps: These are small non-cancerous growths in the lining of the uterus.
- Endometriosis: A condition in which the endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus begins to grow outside the uterus.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: This is a type of bacterial infection that affects the female reproductive system.
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: This is a condition where the menstrual cycle stops due to abnormal functioning of the ovaries. Note that this is most common in women under the age of 40.
- Cancer of the uterus or womb (the uterus is the lower part of the uterus) is cancer
- Medicines such as steroids and other blood thinners.
- bleeding disorders
- Disorders of the thyroid gland.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Complications related to pregnancy.
- stress
- Illness
- Changes in exercise routine.
- Use of birth control (contraceptive) pills.
- Physical fatigue due to travel.
- Excess weight gain or loss.
- breast feeding
What are the symptoms of irregular menstruation?
Irregular periods can cause the following symptoms:
Menstrual periods that may be less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart
Heavy menstrual flow
Missing three or more times in a row.
Periods that last more than 7 days.
Bleeding or spotting during menstruation after sex or after menopause. (normal cessation of menstrual cycle)
Nausea, vomiting, pain or extra cramping with periods
How to diagnose irregular menstruation?
It is important to keep track of the menstrual cycle. Accurate records of when menstruation begins and ends, amount of blood flow, and major blood clots should be kept.
- Any other symptoms related to the menstrual cycle such as menstrual bleeding, excessive pain, or cramping should be reported to the doctor.
- Physical examination: In this case, the doctor usually examines the patient physically and asks about any previous medical history.
- Pelvic exam: The doctor will insert one or two gloved fingers into the vagina to examine the uterus, ovaries, and other female reproductive organs.
- Pap test: This is a medical test done to check for cervical cancer.
- Blood tests: Doctors recommend blood tests to rule out anemia (iron deficiency) or other medical disorders.
- Vaginal culture: This helps to check for any infection.
- Pelvic ultrasound: This is an imaging test that uses sound waves to check for uterine polyps, fibroids, or ovarian cysts (a fluid-filled or solid pocket inside the ovary or on the surface of the ovary).
- Endometrial biopsy: This is a procedure in which a sample of tissue growth is removed from the lining of the uterus and sent to a laboratory to check for cancer cells, endometriosis, or hormonal imbalance.
- Laparoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin lighted tube called a laparoscope through an incision (cut) in the abdomen to view the uterus and ovaries. It helps diagnose conditions like endometriosis.
What is the treatment of irregular menstruation?
Depending on the underlying cause of irregular menstruation or menstruation, it can be treated in the following ways:
- Hormonal Therapy: Hormonal therapy is commonly used to regulate menstruation. It connects the ovaries to the brain and uses hormone therapy to interfere with brain circuits. It stabilizes hormonal fluctuations and improves ovulation. It regulates the menstrual cycle.
- Thyroid Treatment: Women who have problems with the thyroid gland have irregular periods. Gynecologist prescribes medicine to solve this problem.
- PCOS Treatment: Most women with PCOS problem gain weight. Women should lose weight. Staying stress free is important for the same. Birth control pills and oral medications focus on hormones to treat this condition.
- Change in birth control method: If someone experiences irregular periods after three months of using hormonal birth control methods, the gynecologist may suggest other methods of birth control, such as using condoms or inserting an intrauterine device (IUD).
- Lifestyle changes: Regular 30 minutes of moderate exercise is good for maintaining regular periods. But avoid excessive exercise. In particular, remember that managing stress and weight maintenance is also important to prevent irregular periods.
- Surgery: A surgery may be recommended by the doctor if scarring or structural defects occur in the uterus or fallopian tubes due to irregular periods.
What are the complications of irregular menstruation?
Irregular bleeding can cause the following complications:
- Anemia (deficiency of iron in the body) due to excessive blood loss
- tiredness
- headache
- shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Painful cramping
- Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
How to prevent irregular periods?
Some tips that can help prevent irregular periods include:
- Do moderate exercise regularly
- Avoid strenuous and excessive exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- It is important to eat healthy food rich in vitamins and minerals, so eat it regularly
- Dealing with stress.
- Change sanitary napkins and tampons every four to six hours to prevent infection
- Visit your gynecologist for regular check-ups.
We hope this article answers all your questions regarding irregular periods.
If you have problems related to irregular periods and seek treatment, consult a gynecologist.
We aimed to provide you information through this article. We do not prescribe any medicine or treatment to anyone. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and proper treatment plan.
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