Irregular Menstrual

Overview

Menstrual cycle disorders can make a woman’s periods irregular or absent. A normal menstrual cycle lasts 21 to 35 days for most women. However, 14% to 25% of women have irregular menstrual cycles, which means their cycles are shorter or longer than usual, heavier or lighter than usual, or they have other problems, such as abdominal cramps.

So, if a woman misses more than three menstrual periods (consecutively or over the course of a year), she should see a certified doctor or gynecologist to check whether there are any underlying medical conditions and long-term health implications.

What are irregular periods?

Someone has irregular periods if their menstrual cycle is shorter than 24 days, longer than 38 days, or varies significantly from month to month.

Causes of irregular periods

Several factors can contribute to irregular menstruation. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle. As a result, girls in puberty and women approaching menopause frequently have irregular periods.

Other factors that contribute to irregular periods include:

Abortion
Breastfeeding
Endometriosis
Ectopic conception
Pills for birth control
Over-exercising
Hypothyroidism and other hormonal imbalances
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Making use of an intrauterine device (IUD)
Polyp lining thickening
Problems with stress and weight

Symptoms of irregular periods

Here are some common symptoms of missed or non-regular periods:

You miss three or more periods per year.
You have your period more frequently than every 21 days.
You have your period less frequently than every 35 days.
During your period, you are bleeding more heavily than usual.
You’ve been bleeding for more than 7 days.
During your period, you experience more pain than usual.

It’s normal for your menstrual cycle to be irregular for the first year or two after you start getting your period. Periods will eventually become regular for the majority of women. Some women, however, never develop a regular cycle.