Understanding Irregular Periods: A Complete Guide for Women

It can be difficult for women to navigate the complexities of their bodies, particularly when it comes to menstruation. Overall, a large number of women have irregular periods, which might include excessive bleeding, spotting, or missing cycles. Comprehending and addressing these anomalies is essential for general health and wellness.

What is an irregular periods?

Before delving into the specifics, it's critical to understand what is an irregular period. You've probably heard the phrase "irregular period" for as long as you've been having periods. Doctors call it an irregular period cycle when the intervals between periods vary. You have an irregular menstruation if your cycles are shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days. Additionally, an irregular period may differ in duration from one period to the next or may go longer than seven days.

Hormonal imbalances and period conditions:

 There are various types of irregularities in periods:

1. Heavy Bleeding (Menorrhagia): characterized by unusually heavy or protracted menstrual flow, which frequently necessitates changing sanitary items and causes weakness and exhaustion.
   
   
2. Missed periods (amenorrhea): In this condition, menstrual bleeding is absent for three consecutive cycles, which is sometimes brought on by pregnancy, hormone imbalances, or other circumstances.
   
   
3. Frequent Periods (Polymenorrhea): When menstrual cycles happen more frequently than once every 21 days, it may be a sign of underlying medical issues or hormonal imbalances.
   
   
4. Oligomenorrhea:  When you have oligomenorrhea, your periods are irregular. You can have six to eight periods annually or more than 35 days between periods.
   
   
5. Dysmenorrhea: A medical word describing excruciating menstrual cramps and difficult periods. It's natural to have some discomfort during your cycle.

Symptoms of irregular period:

Checking for symptoms is the best approach to determine whether you have an irregular period. To truly understand the length of your cycle and the distinction between normal and irregular menstruation, you might need to study your body for a few weeks.

Here are some common symptoms of irregular period to note:

• Several months or a few weeks' intervals between each period
• Spotting or bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after having intercourse
• During your period, you may pass blood clots larger than 50p.
• Heavy bleeding during menstruation
• Extended menstrual flow (menorrhagia)
• Absent menstruation (amenorrhea)
• Pains during menstruation

What are the causes of irregular periods?

Period irregularities can be caused by a variety of factors, from stress to more serious underlying medical issues.

Medical conditions that could cause irregular periods:

Certain health conditions could be causing an irregular or missed period:

• Endometriosis: When endometrial tissue develops outside of your uterus, it is known as endometriosis. The tissue frequently adheres to your fallopian tubes or ovaries. Abnormal bleeding, cramping, or excruciating pain before and during your period are all possible symptoms of endometriosis.
  
  
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: The female reproductive system is impacted by the bacterial illness known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are usually the reason. Bacteria enter your vagina and travel to your upper genital tract and uterus. PID symptoms include pelvic pain, irregular periods, and a thick, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
  
  
• Primary ovarian insufficiency: This disorder affects women under 40 whose ovaries don't work properly, leading to irregular or skipped periods. It can happen if you have certain autoimmune diseases or while receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer.
  
  
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: PCOS is a condition in which your ovaries produce a lot of androgens, a kind of hormone. This hormone causes irregular periods by delaying or preventing ovulation. Menstruation may entirely stop for those with PCOS.
  
  
• Bleeding disorders: If you develop a bleeding or blood-clotting condition, you may experience severe monthly bleeding.
  
  
• Thyroid or pituitary issues: Your hormones are impacted by hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, and other thyroid or pituitary illnesses. As a result, menstrual health for women becomes erratic.

Lifestyle factors that cause irregular periods:

Your menstrual cycle may be affected by alterations or disruptions in your daily schedule. 

Lifestyle factors may include:

• Stress.
• losing or gaining a substantial amount of weight.
• workouts that lead to extremely low body fat (gymnastics, dancers, or long-distance runners).
• viruses or other disease conditions.

Natural ways to regulate your cycle:

According to scientific studies, people can use lifestyle modifications and home remedies, like changing their food and exercise routines, to help control an irregular menstrual period.

When used appropriately and under the supervision of medical specialists, natural ways of regulating menstrual periods centre on dietary modifications, lifestyle improvements, and the use of herbal medicines or supplements.

1. Practice yoga:

• Stress Reduction: By lowering cortisol levels, yoga helps reduce stress, which can interfere with menstrual periods and hormone balance.
• Hormonal Balance: By stimulating the endocrine system, some yoga poses help to regulate hormones.
• Blood Circulation: By increasing blood flow to the pelvic area, yoga positions may promote reproductive health.
• Yoga helps people relax, which reduces the symptoms of irregular periods.

2. Keep your weight in check:

• Hormonal Balance: Maintaining a healthy weight promotes the balanced production of hormones that are essential for regular periods.
• Insulin Sensitivity: Insulin resistance, which can impact hormone levels and menstrual regularity, is decreased by maintaining a healthy weight.
• Energy Levels: The energy levels required for hormonal health are maintained by a healthy diet and regular exercise.
• General Health: Maintaining a healthy weight affects the regularity of menstrual health and promotes general well-being.

3. Exercise is important: 

• Hormone Regulation: Menstrual regularity depends on the balance of hormones like progesterone and estrogen, which are achieved with regular exercise.
• Stress Reduction: Exercise reduces stress, which has an effect on menstrual cycles.
• Metabolic Health: Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and hormone balance by increasing metabolism.
• Blood Circulation: Exercise promotes better blood flow, which may aid with period regulation and reproductive health.

4. Consume cinnamon:

• Cinnamon helps control blood sugar levels that affect hormone balance by increasing insulin sensitivity.
• Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease the discomfort associated with menstruation.
• Hormone Regulation: Cinnamon contains compounds that help maintain hormone balance and promote regular menstrual cycles.
• Digestive Aid: Cinnamon promotes hormonal balance and general health by aiding in digestion.

5. Ginger:

• Anti-inflammatory Properties: Ginger lowers inflammation, which may help control cycles and ease menstruation pain.
• Hormonal Balance: Ginger contains compounds that help regulate hormones, which may help with regular menstruation.
• Digestive Health: Ginger promotes nutrient absorption, which improves hormonal balance and general health.
• Natural remedies for irregular period: Often used in traditional medicine, ginger is a safe and natural treatment for irregular menstruation.

6. Drink apple cider vinegar:

• Blood Sugar Regulation: Apple cider vinegar helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels, which might affect menstruation regularity and hormone balance.
• Digestive Health: Promotes hormonal balance and general health by enhancing digestion and nutrition absorption.
• Detoxification: Aids in the body's detoxification, which may lessen inflammation and promote reproductive health.
• Acid-Alkaline Balance: This helps maintain the body's pH balance, which may have an effect on how hormones are regulated.

Conclusion:

Many women suffer irregular periods, and while they can occasionally be a sign of underlying health problems, most causes are treatable with the right care. Being proactive helps you better understand your body and take care of any issues early. You can do this by keeping track of your cycles, leading a balanced lifestyle, and getting medical help when necessary. Recall that while variations in your menstrual health are noteworthy, they rarely indicate a major issue. Your health and peace of mind can be strengthened by finding the correct treatment for irregular periods and reassurance through open communication and prompt consultation with your healthcare professional.

References:

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10733621/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
• https://centrespringmd.com/irregular-period-10-evidence-based-ways-to-help-regulate-your-cycles/