Menstrual periods are something most women hate but can’t live without. It is an essential part of a healthy body, whether she wants to get pregnant or not. Many women suffer from irregular periods due to various reasons. Medications and treatments can help to a great extent when it comes to regularising a woman’s menstrual cycle. However, if you’re looking for natural ways to balance your hormones, you’ve come to the right place!
What are Irregular Periods?
A woman, upon reaching menarche – her first period, should start having regular menstrual periods. The uterus develops a lining every month, preparing to house a fertilised egg. When implantation does not occur, hormone levels decrease, and the uterus sheds its lining, resulting in the monthly menstrual period. The average menstrual cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days, with most women getting it around 25-28 days.
When the periods occur before 21 days or after 35 days after the last period, it is not normal. It indicates a hormonal imbalance. If such irregularities persist, consulting a doctor is necessary to identify the root cause.
Causes of Irregular Periods
A woman’s menstrual period is controlled by her hormones. Throughout her menstrual cycle, the levels of various hormones fluctuate, increasing and decreasing to maintain a delicate balance. Any disruption to this balance can cause irregular periods. Some causes for an imbalance in these hormone levels are:
PCOS – One of the most common causes of irregular periods is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is a hormonal disorder that affects many women of reproductive age.
Thyroid Issues – Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can impact the hormonal balance in the body, resulting in irregular periods among other symptoms.
Weight Fluctuations – A drastic gain or loss of weight can disrupt hormone balance and secretion, leading to missed or irregular periods.
Perimenopause – The stage before a woman attains menopause is known as perimenopause. This stage can last for a few years, and menstrual periods may be irregular during this time due to decreasing hormone levels.
Stress – Stress has a direct impact on hormone secretion. Excess stress can cause you to miss a period completely or even make it occur a few days earlier than calculated.
Eating Disorders – Not eating well or disorders like anorexia can cause hormone fluctuations and disrupt menstrual cycles.
Poor Nutrition – Not getting enough calories may help you lose that stubborn weight, but it can cause havoc with your menstrual cycle, too. This, in turn, can cause hormone fluctuations and lead to weight gain.
Physical Activity – Exercising excessively can prevent periods. Many sportswomen, under rigorous training and food restrictions, may not get their period every month.
Infections – An STI or pelvic inflammatory disease can impact the reproductive organs, thus interrupting menstrual cycles.
Fibroids – Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause irregular or heavy periods.
Pregnancy – A woman will not get her menstrual periods during her pregnancy, as the uterus does not shed its lining.
Breastfeeding – Hormonal changes during breastfeeding can also interfere with menstruation. Many women do not get menstruation while breastfeeding. However, pregnancy is still possible during this time.
Medications – Certain medications can disrupt the hormonal balance and cause changes in menstruation as well. Some medications can cause irregular periods, and some can make you skip an entire cycle.
Premature Ovarian Failure – It is natural for periods to become irregular when a woman enters her 40s. She will mostly attain menopause by the time she is 50, and her periods will stop completely. However, if this happens before she is 40, it is a premature ovarian failure and requires medical attention.
Anaemia – An iron deficiency can cause irregular or missed periods.
Impact of Irregular Periods
The biggest impact of irregular periods is on fertility. When a woman is trying to conceive, tracking her ovulation dates becomes crucial. When periods are irregular, it is very difficult to track ovulation or the fertile period. Other common impacts are:
Hormonal imbalances, which in turn can lead to various other health issues.
Increase the risk of coronary heart disease and metabolic syndrome.
Hormonal fluctuations can cause stress, depression and mood swings.
Painful cramps typically occur during the next menstrual period.
Tender breasts, acne, sleep disruptions and headaches.
Unexpected bleeding or spotting between periods
Increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which in turn increases the risk of endometrial cancer.
Not everyone is keen on medications or treatments to correct irregular periods. While natural home remedies can be beneficial, it is essential to note that not all cases can be effectively treated with these remedies. If these remedies don’t work for you or if you are trying to conceive, it is recommended to consult a qualified doctor who can guide you properly.
Meanwhile, let’s categorise the remedies into two categories: lifestyle changes and dietary changes.
Lifestyle Changes
Your lifestyle plays a significant role not only in your menstrual cycle but also in your overall health. A good, healthy lifestyle is essential for maintaining good health.
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to many health issues, including irregular periods. Start moving regularly. You don't need to do any strenuous exercises; just start small and stay consistent with your workouts to notice changes in your overall health and menstrual cycle.
Avoid consuming overly processed foods, as they contain high amounts of saturated fats, sugar and carbohydrates. They don’t add any nutritional value. These foods can also cause a sugar spike, lead to weight gain, and contribute to hormonal imbalances.
Maintaining proper weight can help regularise your period. Being overweight or underweight can cause irregularities.
Manage your stress. Engage in activities that help you relax and reduce stress. Yoga, art, music, or even taking a walk in an open space can help.
Dietary Changes
What you eat plays a big role in your menstrual periods. It can help regularise the cycle and also the flow. Here is what you can do:
Include nutritious foods in your regular diet. Deficiency of essential nutrients can also cause irregular periods. So ensure your essential requirements are met.
Avoid following drastic diets to lose weight quickly. These diets can cause hormonal fluctuations and can also be challenging to maintain over time. It can lead to weight fluctuations and irregular periods.
Consume fruits like papaya and pineapple regularly. They are rich in Vitamin C, which can help break down the uterine lining and induce periods. Ensure you don’t overeat, as it can cause acidity and lead to other digestive issues.
Include ginger in your diet to help regulate irregular periods. If you can’t have raw ginger, try ginger tea or add ginger to your salads and other dishes. Ginger can cause contractions in the uterus, which may stimulate menstruation.
Parsley is one of the most effective herbs for irregular periods. It can increase the blood flow in the pelvic area. You can drink boiled parsley water or add it to your tea.
Carom seeds can help clear out your bowels and regularise menstrual cycles. You can boil water with carom seeds and drink it up after letting it cool down a little. Carom seeds can help stimulate the uterus and also keep the cramps under control.
When to Seek Medical Help?
If you miss more than one menstrual period or if the bleeding is too little or too heavy, you need to consult a doctor. Your gynaecologist can take more tests to determine the exact cause of the irregularity. It is also necessary to rule out certain health issues as soon as possible. Early diagnosis of endometrial or cervical cancer can help start the treatment at the earliest and reduce its impact.
Irregular periods can cause more trouble than just a delay in conception. Hormonal fluctuations can be the root cause of many health conditions. So, seeking medical attention is essential.
Conclusion
Irregular periods are very common among women of all ages. The body can be very fragile, and various exposures and events can throw one’s menstrual cycle off-course. Be patient and try making small changes in your lifestyle and diet. If they don’t work or if you are under a lot of discomfort, consult your gynaecologist without further delay.
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