Why Periods Are Irregular Or Late In Women And How To Deal With It?

Many women faces irregular periods problem in their life. It greatly affects their daily life and routine. The Period or menstrual cycle in a woman's body is a hormonal process to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If menstrual periods are regular between puberty and menopause then it is a sign that your body is working normally. 

But if periods are irregular or heavy and painful then it is a sign that woman's body is not working normally. Due to irregular periods problem, many women also get premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms (like bloating, headaches and moodiness). If you are having this problem, you must talk to your doctor or nurse for the treatments as per your condition.

Regular periods or menstruation cycles are a sign that your body is working normally. You should have regular periods unless you are pregnant, breastfeeding, postmenopausal, or have a medical condition that causes your periods to stop. Your irregular, painful, or heavy periods may be signs of a serious health problems. Irregular periods also can make it harder to get pregnant. 

Most women’s menstrual cycles range between 21 to 35 days, or up to 45 days for teens. Bleeding usually lasts between three to seven days. It is important for women to get to know their own pattern because every woman's body is different.

CAUSES OF IRREGULAR PERIODS

Menstrual irregularities can have a variety of causes, including pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, infections, diseases, trauma, and certain medications.

1. Perimenopause (generally in the late 40s and early 50s)

2. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) -

It is a reproductive health problems that occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she is 40. POI is not the same as early menopause. Some women with POI still get a period now and then. But ovulation problems can make getting pregnant hard for women with POI.

3. Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa or bulimia),

4. Excessive exercise,

5. Thyroid dysfunction (too much or too little thyroid hormone),

6. Elevated levels of the hormone prolactin, which is made by the pituitary gland to help the body produce milk,

7. Uncontrolled diabetes,

8. Cushing's syndrome (elevated levels of the hormone cortisol, used in the body's response to stress),

9. Late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (problem with the adrenal gland),

10. Hormonal birth control (birth control pills, injections, or implants),

11. Hormone-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs),

12. Scarring within the uterine cavity (Asherman's syndrome),

13. Medications, such as those to treat epilepsy or mental health problems,

14. Obesity,

COMMON TREATMENTS FOR IRREGULAR PERIODS

There are some common treatments available to treat irregular period problem. These treatments can be different and based on type of irregularity and lifestyle factors.

Treatment for menstrual irregularities that are due to an ovulatory bleeding (absent periods, infrequent periods, and irregular periods) include:

1. Oral contraceptives
2. Cyclic progestin
3. Treatments for an underlying disorder that is causing the menstrual problem, such as counseling and nutritional therapy for an eating disorder

Treatment for menstrual irregularities that are due to ovulatory bleeding (heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding) include:

1. Insertion of a hormone-releasing intrauterine device
2. Use of various medications (such as those containing progestin or tranexamic acid) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications

If the cause is structural or if medical management is ineffective, then the following may be considered:

1. Surgical removal of polyps or uterine fibroids
2. Uterine artery embolization, a procedure to block blood flow to the uterus
3. Endometrial ablation, a procedure to cauterize (remove or close off by burning) blood vessels in the endometrial lining of the uterus
4. Hysterectomy

Treatment for dysmenorrhea (painful periods) include:

1. Applying a heating pad to the abdomen
2. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
3. Taking contraceptives, including injectable hormone therapy or birth control pills, using varied or less common treatment regimens

BOTTOM LINE:

Various studies have been conducted to understand and treatment for irregular periods. Result form a study showed that smoking status, pack-year, obesity, and perceived level of stress were significantly associated with irregular menstruation among premenopausal women. Hormonal changes greatly affect woman's body during period time. You must visit to your doctor or nurse if you have irregular period problem. At your end, you should eat good food rich in iron, calcium and vitamins. Avoid food which causes bloating. Sleep and take rest. 

Reference:

1. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/

2. https://www.womenshealth.gov/

3. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/