How to Manage Irregular Periods

Irregular Periods

Periods happen about every 28 days and usually last between four and seven days. The female body is very complicated. A few things in the body are known, but other things are unknown. Having your period is one of them. Getting to the point where our periods are regular or not regular is a very personal process. Some women may not get their cycles at all or miss them. Some people can go a long time without cycling. Irregular periods include missing three or more periods, having a period that is heavier or lighter than typical, or having a period less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart.

Why your periods aren't regular

Some common reasons why periods don't come on time are:

when you hit puberty, your first period, or when you reach menopause (usually between 45 and 55 years old).
A missing menstrual cycle frequently serves as an initial indicator of pregnancy.
Hormonal birth control methods include the progestogen-only pill, birth control injections, and the intrauterine system.
Too much or too little exercise, worry, and weight gain or loss
Polycystic ovary syndrome and a thyroid gland that doesn't work properly can sometimes make periods go off and on.

Period Problems: Figuring Out What Makes Them Happen 

You shouldn't go to the doctor for care for a menstrual disorder until you know what's causing it. So, here are some of the most common reasons why women's periods don't come on time.

1. Hormonal Imbalances

When the body makes too much or too little oestrogen and progesterone, this is called a hormonal imbalance. During puberty, perimenopause, or medical diseases like PCOS, these two hormones are often linked.

2. Stress

Excessive stress might lead to menstrual irregularities. When you're stressed, your body makes stress chemicals like cortisol. When the body is under stress because of an event, it causes hormones to become out of balance. Blood flow is messed up when you're under a lot of stress. 

3. Weight Fluctuation

Large changes in weight have a big effect on hormonal balance. If you gain or lose too much weight, it can throw off your period. 

4. Smoking

Heavy cigarette smoking has been linked to periods that don't come on time. Reports and studies show that smoking is linked to going through menopause early. Toxins in cigarettes throw off the balance of hormones and make it hard to have normal periods. 

5. Pelvic inflammatory disease

People who are sexually active can get PID, which affects women's reproductive systems. It happens when a germ that is spread through sexual contact gets into the uterus and causes inflammation and irregular periods.

6. Uncontrolled Diabetes/ Thyroid Function/ Hyper Prolactinemia

Diabetes that isn't under control is another reason why your period is later than usual. Having high blood sugar can mess up proteins in the body. This could have a big effect on your period. 

7. Genital Cancers

Cancer of the uterus or cervix.

Irregular Periods Treatment

The following are some popular types of treatment:

Medications

If the irregularity is caused by a health problem, you may need to take medicine. These are some medicines that can be used:

Birth control pills: These medicines have man-made versions of oestrogen and progesterone in them, which help keep the monthly cycle regular.

Progestin only pills: Progestin-only tablets, or mini-pills, consist solely of progestin and assist in regulating the menstrual cycle. 

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: These medicines stop the production of oestrogen and progesterone, which stops the monthly cycle for a short time. They are usually only used for a short time to treat diseases like endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Metformin: People with type 2 diabetes take this medicine, but people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also take it.

Clomiphene: Clomiphene is a drug that helps women who are having trouble getting pregnant ovulate. It can also help keep your periods regular.

Hormone therapy: Hormone treatment, like progesterone or oestrogen, can help control periods and ease the symptoms that come with them.

Summary

Many things can cause periods to be irregular. Making changes to your lifestyle to deal with or lower your stress and keep your weight in a healthy range may help your periods stay regular.

Meditation and yoga are effective methods for managing stress. People can control their weight by working out regularly and eating well. A healthy menstrual cycle may also be helped by getting enough vitamin D.

You could also try eating pineapple or turmeric or drinking apple cider vinegar as home remedies, but doctors need to do more study on them before they can say for sure that they work.