Beware of Irregular Cycles!

Period cycles don’t always run like a clock. While some women get their periods on time, every 28 days, others are left guessing. Some might miss their period for a couple of months altogether, and others’ cycles might vary from person to person. Such menstrual irregularities can have a range of causes such as hormonal imbalances, trauma, stress, medications, and pregnancy-related issues.

Usually, a menstrual cycle is considered from the first day of a period to the first day of the next, between 21 to 35 days. Although we all think that 28 days is the normal cycle, there is always some room for variations. To know if your cycles are irregular, you can count from the last day of the previous cycle until the first day of your next period. After repeating this for three months, if the number of days between the beginning and end of your period is out of the 21 to 35 days range, it’s evident that you have irregular cycles. Also, if your cycle length differs more than 20 days, your menstruation can be considered irregular.

Irregular period cycles can also be caused by:

• Perimenopause – It’s a stage of transition to menopause that can roughly last as long as ten years in older women.

• Stress and anxiety – Prolonged stress and anxiety can interfere with your hormonal balance and cause irregular periods.

• Extreme exercise - Exercising too much can complicate the timing of your period cycle and sometimes stop it.

• Extreme dieting or weight loss - Being underweight due to extreme exercise, intense dieting, or an eating disorder can also interrupt cycles.

• Age Factor - As mentioned, perimenopause and menopause significantly affect menstrual irregularities. Once periods begin in young women, it can take years together before forming a cycle pattern.

• Birth control – Any birth control, including pills, implants, rings, and IUDs, can cause irregular bleeding.

Consult your doctor if you have had predictable monthly cycles, followed by a pattern change. Your doctor may suggest the proper treatment to help you eliminate any underlying issues related to your menstrual irregularity.

Reach your doctor at the earliest possible if you have any of the following symptoms:

• You skipped more than three periods within a year

• Your periods are frequent, occurring within 21 days

• Your periods occur less often

• You experience heavy bleeding than usual

• Your cycles last more than seven days

• You go through more pain than usual