Menstrual Irregularity Treatment

What is Menstrual Irregularity?

During a normal menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one of the ovaries. In some cases, the egg is not fertilized by the sperm. In this case, the changing levels of hormones cause the tissue and blood in the uterus to be removed from the body. The bleeding period continues for an average of 5 days and recurs monthly. Menstrual irregularity may be mentioned in the following cases:

• Change in the number of days between menstrual periods
• The amount of blood lost is less or more than normal
• Changing the duration of periods

Menstrual cycles tend to be more irregular in younger women during the first few years of menstruation and again in their 40s during the 3-5 years before menopause. In some people, factors such as lifestyle changes or stress, as well as a medical condition, can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, also known as menstrual irregularity. The menstrual cycle can give an idea about the functioning of the body. Sudden and unpredictable menstrual cycle changes that are not caused by hormonal birth control may be the first sign of a treatable health problem. Therefore, it is beneficial to diagnose menstrual irregularity as early as possible.

What Causes Menstrual Irregularity?

Apart from the fact that the menstrual cycle varies between 28 and 31 days, there are many factors that can cause a periodically irregular period. Menstrual irregularity can occur for a variety of reasons, such as pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, infections, illnesses, traumas, a stressful event, intense exercise, a long journey, and certain medications. Common causes of menstrual irregularities include:

• Changing birth control pills or using certain medications
• hormone changes
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Eating disorders
• doing too much exercise
• Thickening or presence of polyps in the uterine lining
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Stress
• Asherman syndrome (scar in the uterine cavity)
• Cushing syndrome (High cortisol hormone levels)
• Hormone-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Problems with the adrenal gland
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• uterine fibroids

What are the symptoms of menstrual irregularity?

Constant change in the length of the menstrual cycle or the time between initial periods is the primary symptom of menstrual irregularity. Although the average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, it is normal for it to be slightly shorter or longer than that. Generally, 22-35 days is considered normal. However, abnormally early or late bleeding indicates irregularity. After puberty, many women develop a regular cycle with a similar duration between periods. However, the cycle may vary by a few days at a time. The following symptoms may indicate menstrual regularity:
Absence of menstruation for 90 days
Menstruation occurring more frequently than 21 days
Sudden irregularity in bleeding intensity
Having a menstrual period less than every 35 days
Menstruation lasting more than a week
Menstrual period with abnormally heavy symptoms
Bleeding between periods