Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Causes for irregular menstrual cycle

Stress

Losing or gaining a lot of weight

Excessive or intense exercise

Rigid diets low in calories

Smoking

Drug use

Eating disorders

Medications and treatments such as chemotherapy

Abnormalities of the uterus such as fibroids, cysts, polyps and endometriosis

Emotional trauma

Illness

Irregular menstrual cycle may sometimes be indicative of a woman entering perimenopause. Be it shorter cycles or long cycles and heavy bleeding, both types of irregularity can mean that a woman is entering a perimenopausal stage. Certain medications such as anticoagulant blood thinners or those that disrupt the corpus luteum function may lead to short term irregular menstrual cycle. Excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol can have this effect as also smoking. In some cases, IBH or Inflammatory Bowel Disease may be associated with irregular periods.

Treating irregular menstrual cycle

Irregular menstrual cycle can also be accompanied by conditions such as painful menses or excessive bleeding. Your gynecologist would check your medical history and probably conduct a physical examination. Blood test, ultrasound and biopsy might be suggested.

Irregular menstrual cycle is treated according to the cause. Often hormonal imbalance is corrected with appropriate drugs or hormones. Surgical removal of polyps or fibroids may be necessary. Treatment is also based on the stage in a woman’s life, if she intends to have children. Hormonal contraceptives or supplements are used to regulate menstrual cycles. The combination of estrogen and progesterone helps to maintain hormones at specific and balanced levels.

Women suffering from irregular menstrual cycle are asked to give up smoking and cut down consumption of alcohol and caffeine. It is essential to follow a healthy eating pattern sans rigid control of calories and dieting of any sort. Stress can be reduced by relaxation and other stress-relieving techniques such as yoga or mild exercise.

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