5 REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT BE HAVING AN IRREGULAR PERIOD.

An irregular period is when your cycle is too short or too long. It can also cause spotting in between periods, or be very heavy. It’s usually caused by hormonal imbalances.

Irregular periods are very common, with most women having an irregular period once in a while. It’s usually because of a disruption in the hormones that regulate menstruation.
The average adult menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but anywhere between 21–35 days is considered regular. Bleeding usually lasts 4–7 days, causing about 3 tablespoons of blood loss.
Menstrual cycles are most regular between the ages of 20–40. Irregular periods are more common in the first few years after you get your first period and in the last 10 years before menopause.
Some women get their period on the same exact day every month, while for others, it varies from month to month.

READ ALSO: WHY YOU NEED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Signs that an irregular period is a cause for concern include:

1. Missing your period for more than 3 months in a row, which can lead to precancerous or cancerous endometrial cells.
2. Bleeding heavily for more than 7 days, especially if you also have symptoms of anemia (shortness of breath, dizziness, light-headedness, and pale skin) due to prolonged blood loss.
3. Bleeding when you’re pregnant.
4. Having pain before and/or during your period that’s severe enough to cause you to miss school or work.
5. Bleeding that occurs after menopause, which may be a sign of uterine cancer (also called endometrial cancer).
6. Bleeding after intercourse, which may be a sign of cervical cancer

5 Reasons Your Period Is Irregular

1. Thyroid issues
   
   The thyroid helps control your menstrual cycle. Irregular periods may occur when the thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism). One of the first signs of a thyroid problem in women may be skipped or no periods or much heavier and longer periods than usual.
   
2. Pelvic inflammatory disease
   
   Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive tract. It’s caused by a bacterial infection, usually a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia. Bacteria enters the vagina and spreads to the uterus and fallopian tubes, leading to PID. Left untreated, PID can cause complications such as pelvic adhesions, chronic pain, and infertility.
   
   Other symptoms you may have:
   a. Heavy vaginal discharge
   b. Bleeding between periods
   c. Vaginal odor
   d. Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
   e. Fever
   
   Some women may have only mild pelvic pain and vaginal discharge, but you should still see your doctor in the next 1–2 days if you have any symptoms of PID. If the pain is severe, you may need to go to an urgent care center or the ER, especially if you also have a fever.
   
3. Perimenopause
   
   Perimenopause is the time in a woman’s life when the body transitions to menopause. It usually begins in your mid to late 40s. As your ovaries produce less estrogen, your period might become irregular. Periods may occur more frequently or less than once a month, be heavier or lighter than usual, or shorter or longer than usual.
   
   Other symptoms you may have:
   a. Hot flashes
   b. Breast tenderness
   c. Weight gain
   d. Headaches
   e. Difficulty concentrating
   f. Forgetfulness
   g. Changes in mood
   i. Decreased sex drive
   
4. Hormonal birth control
   
   Going on or off birth control can lead to abnormal bleeding. Some women have irregular or no periods for up to 6–12 months after stopping hormonal contraceptives (it’s more common with the Depo-Provera injection). Women who forget to take their contraceptive will have irregular bleeding or spotting. If your birth control pills contain only progestin or you use an IUD or implant, you may have abnormal spotting or bleeding for several months. Most people with the Mirena IUD stop having their period 6 months after insertion.
   
5. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
   
   Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common causes of irregular periods. It occurs when the ovaries make a large amount of androgens, a male hormone. This causes a hormonal imbalance that triggers the formation of multiple cysts in the ovaries, which prevents the ovaries from regularly releasing eggs. Many women with PCOS have irregular periods or stop menstruating completely.
   
   Other symptoms you may have:
   a. Weight gain
   b. Infertility
   c. Excess facial and body hair (hirsutism)
   d. Thinning hair on the head
   e. Acne
   
   If you’ve missed your period for 3 months in a row or have had irregular periods for 6 months in a row, see your ob-gyn. Treatments include:
   a. Ovulation-stimulating medications if you are trying to get pregnant
   b. Weight loss
   c. Birth control pills
   
   READ MORE: Premenstrual Syndrome, 3 ways to ease it
   
   

Fun Note : Most women will experience an irregular period at least once in their life. It is actually uncommon to have only had regular periods every single month of your menstrual history. —Dr. Jessica Katz