Here’s an informative breakdown for: Decoding Your Period: When Irregular Cycles Signal a Deeper Issue.
Decoding Your Period: When Irregular Cycles Signal a Deeper Issue
Here’s an informative breakdown for decoding your period.
What’s Normal in a Menstrual Cycle?
- Cycle length: 21–35 days is considered normal.
- Duration: Bleeding typically lasts 2–7 days.
- Flow: Light to moderate, with predictable patterns.
- Symptoms: Mild cramps, breast tenderness, mood shifts.
When Is a Period “Irregular”?
- Skipping periods (amenorrhea)
- Too frequent (cycles <21 days)
- Delayed (cycles >35 days)
- Excessive or prolonged bleeding
- Spotting between periods
What Could Irregular Periods Indicate?
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Most common cause of irregular periods.
- Other signs: Acne, weight gain, excess facial/body hair, infertility.
- Hormonal imbalance leads to skipped or late ovulation.
- Thyroid Dysfunction
- Hypothyroidism: Causes heavy, prolonged cycles.
- Hyperthyroidism: May cause light or missed periods.
- High Stress Levels
- Disrupts hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis.
- Can suppress ovulation and delay or stop menstruation.
Decoding Your Period: When Irregular Cycles Signal a Deeper Issue
- Extreme Exercise or Weight Loss
- Seen in athletes or those with eating disorders.
- Body fat below a critical level may halt hormone production.
- Perimenopause (Age 40+)
- Natural hormonal shifts cause unpredictable periods.
- Accompanied by hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood changes.
- Endometriosis or Fibroids
- Can cause painful, heavy, or prolonged bleeding.
- May also result in spotting and pelvic discomfort.
- Diabetes or Insulin Resistance
- Blood sugar imbalance can interfere with reproductive hormones.
- Medications
- Hormonal birth control, antipsychotics, and steroids can affect menstrual regularity.
Tests for Evaluation
- Hormonal panel (LH, FSH, estrogen, progesterone, prolactin)
- Thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4)
- Pelvic ultrasound (to rule out PCOS, fibroids)
- Blood glucose & insulin resistance marker
When to See a Doctor
- No periods for 3+ months (not pregnant)
- Cycles <21 or >35 days regularly
- Bleeding lasts more than 7 days
- Severe pain or very heavy bleeding
- Sudden changes after years of regularity
Managing Irregular Cycles
- Lifestyle: Balanced diet, stress reduction, healthy weight
- Medication: Hormonal therapy (e.g., birth control), thyroid or insulin medications
- Supplements: Myo-inositol, vitamin D, omega-3s (if PCOS-related)
- Tracking: Use period apps to monitor patterns and share with your doctor