WHY DO YOU EXPERIENCE IRREGULAR PERIODS?

Irregular periods could be an indication that there is something wrong with your reproductive system. In some women, it is an infertility symptom. You have irregular periods if the length of your menstrual cycle (the gap between your periods) vary greatly OR if the length of your menstrual cycle is more than 35 days as normal menstrual cycle length ranges from 21 to 35 days. More information on the causes of irregular periods and how they can be managed include the following:

CAUSES OF IRREGULAR PERIODS

In most cases, irregular periods are related to a condition referred to as “anovulation”. This means ovulation has not occurred during your menstrual cycle due to severe hormonal imbalance.

You could as well still be ovulating, but the timing of your ovulation can vary greatly form month to month due to lifestyle and certain medications that can alter your menstrual cycle.

The following factors can trigger irregular periods

Extreme exercise or dieting: Excessive exercise can throw off the timing of your menstrual period and sometimes stop it. Being underweight from extreme exercise, dieting, eating disorder or illness can have the same effect as well.

Stress: Chronic stress can throw your menstrual cycle off balance causing irregular period/menstrual cycle. Too much stress can impair the function of your hypothalamus, which is the part of your brain that controls hormone regulation. Knowing the source of your stress and managing your stress levels could help your period start back up again.

Birth Control pills: As birth control pills work by introducing different hormones into your system, your menstrual cycle can be affected. They can make your period lighter, cause you to have less or more frequent periods. You could as well skip your periods entirely.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome: This is a medical condition which causes tiny cysts to form on ovaries, preventing ovulation from occurring normally. Women with PCOS usually have irregular periods. PCOS can also increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease in addition to causing infertility.

Illnesses: Thyroid disorders could cause irregular periods if blood levels of thyroid hormone go too low or high. Other health conditions that could cause irregular periods include sexually transmitted diseases, endometriosis, eating disorders and fibroids.

When teens first start having periods, their menstrual cycles may not always be on the same schedule every month. It could take several years to settle into a pattern. In addition, missed periods and lighter or heavier periods are common as women approach menopause.

Certain Medications: Certain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, epilepsy drugs, blood thinners, hormone replacement therapy and thyroid medications can interfere with your menstrual cycle.

Breast feeding: Prolactin is a hormone that I s responsible for breast milk production. Prolactin suppresses your reproductive hormones resulting in very light periods or no period at all while you breastfeed.

Being Overweight: Research has been able to show that obesity could cause irregular menstrual periods as being overweight affects hormone and insulin levels, which could disrupt your menstrual cycle. Rapid weight gain could also lead to menstrual irregularities. Irregular periods and weight gain are also signs of hypothyroidism and PCOS which should be evaluated by your healthcare provider

WHEN SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT IRREGULAR PERIODS?

An irregular or missed period could be a cause for concern. If you consistently have irregular periods, you be screened for disorders and diseases that could be linked to irregular periods.

An irregular menstrual cycle could make conception difficult especially if you don’t ovulate every month. Your Doctor may run tests on you to see if you are ovulating. Women with irregular periods who are trying to get pregnant are sometimes prescribed fertility medications to boosts their ovulation.

HOW CAN IRREGULAR PERIOS BE MANAGED?

Try maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising moderately and eating nutritious foods. If you intend to lose weight, do so gradually instead of going for diets that drastically limit your food and calorie intake.
You should get enough rest and manage stress well/.
If you are an athlete cut back on intense or prolonged exercise routines as this could lead to irregular periods.
If you are trying to conceive, you should get fertility supplements like Evergreen formular for women which boost menstruation, ovulation and corrects hormonal imbalance, which is a major cause of irregular periods. Evergreen formular for women is also recommended for the treatment of PCOS. You can also go for Evergreen Eggboost. It boosts egg quality and ovarian function to boost your chances of conception.
If you experience irregular periods due to underlying conditions like sexually transmitted diseases, endometriosis, thyroid disorder and fibroids, you should see your Doctor for appropriate treatment and recommendation.
You should go for regular check-ups