Treatments Focus
Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Every woman’s body is unique, and so is her menstrual cycle(periods). When you have a normal, moderately pain-free period each month, it’s a good indication that your reproductive system is working properly. But the reverse is also true when your cycles last longer and shorter than the normal range of 21-35 days or when you lose more or less blood than usual.
Having an unpredictable, irregular period is not uncommon in women. As per the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), about 9 to 14 percent of women experience irregular periods in the first few years following puberty and right before menopause. While these menstrual irregularities aren’t always serious, keep an eye out for what’s normal and healthy for you to track the early signs of trouble. Discuss with your doctor about what to expect if you notice your periods are irregular and ask about the treatment options available to you.
Symptoms of Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Along with the change in the period length, you should be aware of these symptoms that may indicate an underlying reproductive health problem.
Spotting between periods
Light or no bleeding
Severe cramps in the belly
Breast tenderness
Bleeding after sexual intercourse
Heavy bleeding with blood clots
Discomfort in the bladder or rectum
Regular menstrual headaches
High fever
Foul vaginal discharge
Eating disorder
Change in mood
Causes of Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Irregular menstruation can have many possible causes, including:
- Pregnancy or breast feeding or miscarriage
- Changing birth control pills
- Side effects of an intrauterine device(IUD)
- Extreme emotional stress
- Poor diet
- Age
- Smoking and alcohol abuse
- Extreme weight loss or over-exercising
- Overactive thyroid
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Premature ovarian insufficiency/failure (POI/POF)
- Uterine fibroids or polyps
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Tumors or infections in the pelvic cavity
- Bleeding disorders
- Medications (blood thinners, antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, steroids etc.)
- Exposure to
Diagnosis and Treatment
To determine why you’re having irregular periods, your doctor will ask about your menstrual cycle, take a complete medical history, and perform a physical examination (including a pelvic exam). Depending on the findings, they may even ask you to have some blood tests, ultrasounds, and possibly a biopsy to be sure of the diagnosis. In rare cases, chromosome analysis may be suggested for women with a suspected chromosomal abnormality.
The goal of the treatment is to correct the underlying condition. For this, some lifestyle changes may help, but medications or other procedures may still be necessary to address the issue. For example, your doctor may recommend oral contraceptives, hormone replacement injections, or iron tablets as drug treatments to trigger or correct your cycles. Other procedures that may be suggested are:
- Fibroid removal surgery
- Hysterectomy (for complete removal of the uterus)
- D&C (Dilation and Curettage)
- Endometrial resection
- Endometrial ablation
FAQ's :
References:
- What’s Causing My Irregular Periods? | What You Need To Know. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://www.midatlanticwomenscare.com/blog/whats-causing-my-irregular-periods/
- Why Is My Period So Random? Why Irregular Periods Happen. WebMD. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/women/why-is-my-period-so-random
- Menstrual cycle: What’s normal, what’s not. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186
- Irregular Periods: Why Is My Period Late? – Penn Medicine. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/womens-health/2020/november/irregular-periods-why-is-my-period-late
- How to Know If You Have Irregular Periods. Verywell Family. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-is-an-irregular-period-1959924
- Bae, J., Park, S., & Kwon, J.-W. (2018). Factors associated with menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause. BMC Women’s Health, 18(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-018-0528-x
- Abnormal Menstruation (Periods): Types, Causes & Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14633-abnormal-menstruation-periods
- Thasneem, K., Kalarani, I. B., Jayaprasad, P., Mohammed, V., & Veerabathiran, R. (2022). Genes linked with early menopause and the pathogenesis of its associated diseases: A systematic review. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 27(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-021-00093-0
- Jahanfar, S., Lye, M.-S., & Krishnarajah, I. S. (2013). Genetic and environmental effects on age at menarche, and its relationship with reproductive health in twins. Indian Journal of Human Genetics, 19(2), 245–250. https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-6866.116127
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