Irregular Periods Tips

Each woman has her own menstrual cycle pattern. Some women have almost the same menstrual cycles that begin and end almost in a synchronized manner with little problem, but some women face various difficulties in menstruation period due to major fluctuations. Although minor fluctuations usually occur but there is a medical condition called menstrual disorder which is characterized by some peculiar signs and symptoms.
The menstrual disorder is actually diagnosed when a woman is facing a problem of irregular periods along with profoundly painful cramps, premenstrual syndrome, abnormally high bleeding and missing their menstrual cycles very often.

There can be different causes due to which menstrual disorder occur which are listed as follows:

1. There can be certain problems associated with ovulation in females
2. There can be abnormal secretion of hormones which can cause an imbalance in hormonal levels
3. There can be a genetic link to this disorder such as abnormality in chromosomes or genes
4. There can be clotting issues
5. Stressful situations cause a major effect in the regulation of menstrual cycles. The more the women feel stressful, the more irregularities in menstrual cycles are observed.
6. Thyroid problems and eating disorders are also associated with menstrual disorder

Menstrual disorder is not only about heavy bleeding but in certain condition, there could be no bleeding at all. This condition is called as amenorrhea. It is usually diagnosed when a girl does not get her periods even after 16 years of age. It can occur due to hyperthyroidism, cysts in ovaries, not controlling birth frequencies, pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, eating disorders etc.

Hence, to diagnose this medical condition, the affected female should immediately contact the gynecologist. The doctor can speculate the symptoms and for how long they are persisting. The gynecologist may conduct a pelvic exam in order to ensure if there is any inflammation in the vagina or cervix region. The blood tests can also determine the hormonal imbalances. The possibility of cancer in the cervical region can be checked by conducting a Pap smear test. In order to diagnose the additional menstrual disorder, the gynecologist or the respective medical healthcare provider may conduct additional tests such as endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy and ultrasound.

Once the diagnosis is performed, the treatment can be given maybe in terms of medicines or other alternatives to treat this problem effectively. Make sure that certain irregularities in periods are completely normal, but as soon as you may see the menstrual cycle patterns going abnormally for persistently more extended periods of time, then you should immediately contact your healthcare practitioner.

Menstruation or a period starts during puberty, usually between the ages 10 and 16 years and continues until a woman reaches the menopausal stage, i.e. 45-55 years. Normally, a woman’s menstrual cycle span is 28 days, but this varies from one individual to another. Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days. For the first few years after menstruation begins, long cycles are common. However, menstrual cycles tend to shorten and become more regular as you age.

What’s Irregular?

You may have irregular periods if:

1. The time between each period starts to change
2. You lose more or less blood during a period than usual
3. The number of days that your period lasts varies a lot

Causes of Irregular Menses:

Many things can cause irregular periods in women. Changes in your body's level of the hormones estrogen and progesterone can disrupt the normal pattern of your period. That's why young girls going through puberty and women approaching menopause commonly have irregular periods.

Other common causes of irregular periods include:

1. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Women with this common endocrine system disorder may have irregular periods as well as enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid called follicles located in each ovary as seen during an ultrasound exam.
2. Having an intrauterine device
3. Changing birth control pills or using certain medications
4. Too much exercise
5. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
6. Stress
7. Overactive thyroid or underactive thyroid
8. Eating disorders, extreme weight loss or excessive exercising: Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa - extreme weight loss and increased physical activity can disrupt menstruation.
9. Premature ovarian failure: Premature ovarian failure refers to the loss of normal ovarian function before age 40.
10. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): This infection of the reproductive organs can cause irregular menstrual bleeding.
11. Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus. They can cause heavy menstrual periods and prolonged menstrual periods.

Lifestyle Changes:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothyroidism are two common causes of irregular periods in women. Homoeopathic medicines help restore the balance of hormones in the body.
• Some women have changes in their period because they exercise too much. You may need to make your workouts less intense or exercise less often.
• If stress is the problem, learning how to manage your stress and possibly also talking with a counsellor may be helpful.
• Extreme changes in your weight can affect your periods. gain can make it harder for your body to ovulate, so weight loss could help with that.

How can Homeopathy help with irregular menstruation?

Homoeopathy can effectively treat this condition. This is how it works-

• Homoeopathy adopts a holistic approach and treats the individual as a whole. It digs deep into the problem and boosts your immune function. It stimulates the normal functioning of the hormones and helps maintain good health by eliminating the factors responsible for causing the disorder. The ingredients used for the preparation of homoeopathic medicines are natural, and hence, free of side effects.

For some women, a period can be more than just uncomfortable. There are a number of menstrual problems that could affect women. These range from irregular periods to excessive bleeding and premenstrual syndrome. The good news is that homeopathy can be used to effectively treat these problems. Homeopathy is a holistic form of treatment that addresses the root cause of the problem instead of the symptoms. Additionally, it has negligible side effects.

Here are a few homeopathic forms of treatment for menstrual problems.

1. Sepia: Sepia can be used to treat late menstruation as well as scanty blood flow. It is also helpful is the period is accompanied by pain and a sense of weight in the pelvic area and lower back. This can also be used to treat irritability and depression.

2. Pulsatilla: Pulsatilla is helpful in cases where menstrual bleeding causes substantial weight fluctuations, bloating and water retention. It can also be used to treat irregular periods and scanty or excess blood flow. Pulsatilla is also used as a form of treatment for the severe griping pains that can accompany menstrual flow.

3. Cimicifuga: This is used to treat irregular periods and painful periods. It also treats mental unrest, nervousness and irritability triggered by menstruation.

4. Lycopodium: In some cases, delayed menses can last longer than normal and have abnormally heavy blood flow. In such cases, lycopodium is an effective homeopathic remedy.

5. Belladonna: Excessive menstrual bleeding and early menses can be treated with belladonna. This type of menses is also accompanied by intense pain that is relieved by standing and cramps in the back and arms. Belladonna is also extremely useful in acute cases of endometriosis and inflammation of the ovaries.

6. Creosote: Excessive blood flow that is intermittent and preceded by abdominal bloating can be treated using Creosote. This blood flow is usually dark brown in colour and accompanied by an offensive odour. Creosote can also be used against ulcerations in the female genital organs, burning pain and soreness.

7. Helonias: Pain extending from the back of the uterus and loss of muscle strength in the genital organs can be treated with helonias. It can also be used to treat leucorrhoea or dark, offensive vaginal discharge as well as displacement of the uterus.

When prescribing medication for a menstrual problem, a homeopathic doctor not only looks at the symptoms presented but also the personality and lifestyle of the patient. Hence what suits one person may not have the same effect on another. Hence, if you are facing a menstrual problem, it is best to consult a doctor at the earliest.

With an upsurge in the number of women suffering from dysfunctional reproductive systems and a myriad of gynecological problems, resulting in irregular periods, infertility and several other complications, it is of paramount importance to keep a record of the dates and duration of your monthly cycles. This is not only useful for future reference when you visit a gynecologist, but it also helps you to understand if there are delays in period or excess of bleeding in any particular month.

Why is tracking your menstrual cycles important?

Keeping a track of the menstrual cycles is a mandatory exercise for women who are thinking about pregnancy or those trying to avoid it. Based on your period calendar, you can avoid getting pregnant without opting for contraceptive methods, if you have extremely regular period patterns. It is advisable to abstain from intercourse for a few days before and after the period, which is the prime time for ovulation. Keeping track of your periods gives you a clear indicator of whether you have become pregnant because delay in the menstrual onset implies pregnancy. The reverse is also true; if you are trying to get pregnant, conception is usually fruitful on these days of maximum ovulation, which you can easily calculate based on your well maintained menstrual record.

How should you go about keeping track of your menstruation?

While it not possible to note down every possible aspect of the menstruation in a notebook, the easiest way of maintaining a planner is to mark the first day of each period on the calendar. The difference between two consecutive periods will give you your cycle lengths.

In addition, you can choose to make a note of how heavy the bleeding is, or if there are changes in mood and appetite on those days. You will then be well prepared for your next visit to the gynecologist.

The amount of emotional upheaval that periods, or no periods (for that matter) can cause, is something that every woman is aware of. It's normal to miss your period for different reasons occasionally, but develops to be a concern if this absence persists over a period of time. The condition is then termed as a case of secondary amenorrhea.

Although most people are quick to consider pregnancy while dealing with the various reasons for missed periods, there are a number of possibilities which are seldom mulled over but should be considered in order to take the effective precautions and seek proper medical care:

- WEIGHT

Body weight is responsible for affecting the hypothalamus and this may, in turn, upset your menstrual cycle. BMI level under 18-19 may result in triggering irregularities since enough estrogen will not be created. This is also why underweight women, who suffer from bulimia or anorexia, tend to miss their periods frequently. 

On the other hand, overweight women may stop ovulating due to increase in the production of estrogen and therefore, have heavy, infrequent periods. Therefore, it is essential that body weight be regulated to avoid any disappointment at 'the time of the month.

- STRESS

Any type of physical or emotional stress is bound to affect your cycle. This is because, the production of stress hormones in the body increases and an elevated level of adrenaline and cortisol may impair the functioning of the reproductive system. Under stressful situations, the body employs its amino acids to assist the neurotransmitters to produce stress hormones over sex hormones. As a consequence, the chances of missing your periods increase.

- EXERCISING TOO MUCH

While regular workout is indispensable for battling a sedentary lifestyle, overdoing it might cause your body to produce lesser estrogen and delay your periods. Women, who are into athletics and gymnastics, are more likely to suffer from amenorrhea. In fact, other aspects of over-exercising, like sleeping less, fasting, and infections also contribute to such irregularities.

- BREASTFEEDING

Prolactin is the hormone that aids in milk production and may also repress ovulation for a while. Many breastfeeding moms may not get their periods for a month or more as a result. But this doesn't do away with your chances of getting pregnant. A span of three months is expected to pass before the abnormalities are done away with.

- FOOD ALLERGIES

Celiac disease or untreated gluten allergy can directly harm hormone production. They are directly related to your gut health and your adrenal glands which is why they can influence the sex hormone creation.

Menstrual disorders are caused by a variety of factors and affect every woman in a different manner. In most cases, it manifests itself in the form of fluctuations in menstrual flow and irregularity in the monthly cycle. Certain disorders are not too severe and can be easily alleviated. Others are more complicated and require the immediate attention of a gynecologist.

As mentioned, there are different specific causes of different kinds of disorders resulting from a range of factors such as hormone levels, functioning of the central nervous system, health of the uterus, etc.

Some of the most common causes of menstrual disorders are as follows:

- Hormonal imbalance

Fluctuating hormone levels in the body have a direct impact on the menstrual cycle. These fluctuations can be caused by dysfunction in the pituitary gland, thyroid gland or adrenal gland. It can also be a result of malfunction in either or both ovaries and the secretion of hormones originating there.

- Anatomic problems

One fourth menstrual disorders are caused by problems of the anatomy. These include various gynecological issues like the presence of uterine fibroids and polyps, reduced uterine contractile strength, adenomyosis (intrusion of uterine tissue into the muscular wall of the uterus), a uterus with an excessively large surface area, and endometrial cancer.

- Clotting irregularities

Abnormality in clotting is a cause of heavy menstrual bleeding in women. It leads to exceeding blood loss from minor cuts and gashes and makes one easily prone to bruising. This may also include medical conditions such as thrombocytopenia (platelet dysfunction) and Von Willebrand disease.

- Medications and supplements

There is a wide range of medications and nutritional or hormonal supplements which often cause menstrual disorders in women and lead to fluctuations in the menstrual cycle. These include medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, estrogen pills, Vitamin E supplements etc.

- Miscellaneous factors

These are comparatively rare and require a greater degree of medical attention. It includes conditions such as cervical cancer, ovarian tumors, liver and kidney diseases, uterine infections, extreme psychological stress, obesity, etc. Incidents such as miscarriages and unsuspected pregnancies are also known to cause abnormal menstrual bleeding.  

The amount of emotional upheaval that periods, or no periods (for that matter) can cause, is something that every woman is aware of. It's normal to miss your period for different reasons occasionally, but develops to be a concern if this absence persists over a period of time. The condition is then termed as a case of secondary amenorrhea. Although most people are quick to consider pregnancy while dealing with the various reasons for missed periods, there are a number of possibilities which are seldom mulled over but should be considered in order to take the effective precautions and seek proper medical care:

1. WEIGHT

Body weight is responsible for affecting the hypothalamus and this may, in turn, upset your menstrual cycle. BMI level under 18-19 may result in triggering irregularities since enough estrogen will not be created. This is also why underweight women, who suffer from bulimia or anorexia, tend to miss their periods frequently. 
On the other hand, overweight women may stop ovulating due to an increase in the production of estrogen and therefore, have heavy, infrequent periods. Therefore, it is essential that body weight is regulated to avoid any disappointment at 'the time of the month.'

2. STRESS

Any type of physical or emotional stress is bound to affect your cycle. This is because the production of stress hormones in the body increases and an elevated level of adrenaline and cortisol may impair the functioning of the reproductive system. Under stressful situations, the body employs its amino acids to assist the neurotransmitters to produce stress hormones over sex hormones. As a consequence, the chances of missing your periods increase.

3. EXERCISING TOO MUCH

While regular workout is indispensable for battling a sedentary lifestyle, overdoing it might cause your body to produce lesser estrogen and delay your periods. Women, who are into athletics and gymnastics, are more likely to suffer from amenorrhea. In fact, other aspects of over-exercising, like sleeping less, fasting, and infections also contribute to such irregularities.

4. BREASTFEEDING

Prolactin is the hormone that aids in milk production and may also repress ovulation for a while. Many breastfeeding moms may not get their periods for a month or more as a result. But this doesn't do away with your chances of getting pregnant. A span of three months is expected to pass before the abnormalities are done away with.

5. FOOD ALLERGIES

Celiac disease or untreated gluten allergy can directly harm hormone production. They are directly related to your gut health and your adrenal glands which is why they can influence the sex hormone creation.

For some women, a period can be more than just uncomfortable. There are a number of menstrual problems that could affect women. These range from irregular periods to excessive bleeding and premenstrual syndrome. The good news is that homeopathy can be used to effectively treat these problems. Homeopathy is a holistic form of treatment that addresses the root cause of the problem instead of the symptoms. Additionally, it has negligible side effects. Here are a few homeopathic forms of treatment for menstrual problems. 

1. Sepia: Sepia can be used to treat late menstruation as well as scanty blood flow. It is also helpful is the period is accompanied by pain and a sense of weight in the pelvic area and lower back. This can also be used to treat irritability and depression.

2. Pulsatilla: Pulsatilla is helpful in cases where menstrual bleeding causes substantial weight fluctuations, bloating and water retention. It can also be used to treat irregular periods and scanty or excess blood flow. Pulsatilla is also used as a form of treatment for the severe griping pains that can accompany menstrual flow.

3. Cimicifuga: This is used to treat irregular periods and painful periods. It also treats mental unrest, nervousness and irritability triggered by menstruation.

4. Lycopodium: In some cases, delayed menses can last longer than normal and have abnormally heavy blood flow. In such cases, lycopodium is an effective homeopathic remedy.

5. Belladonna: Excessive menstrual bleeding and early menses can be treated with belladonna. This type of menses is also accompanied by intense pain that is relieved by standing and cramps in the back and arms. Belladonna is also extremely useful in acute cases of endometriosis and inflammation of the ovaries.

6. Creosote: Excessive blood flow that is intermittent and preceded by abdominal bloating can be treated using Creosote. This blood flow is usually dark brown in colour and accompanied by an offensive odor. Creosote can also be used against ulcerations in the female genital organs, burning pain and soreness.

7. Helonias: Pain extending from the back of the uterus and loss of muscle strength in the genital organs can be treated with helonias. It can also be used to treat leucorrhoea or dark, offensive vaginal discharge as well as displacement of the uterus.

When prescribing medication for a menstrual problem, a homeopathic doctor not only looks at the symptoms presented but also the personality and lifestyle of the patient. Hence what suits one person may not have the same effect on another. Hence, if you are facing a menstrual problem, it is best to consult a doctor at the earliest.

Menstruation is a healthy experience of a woman’s life, and it must come habitually every 28 days, for a period of 3-4 days without coagulating, and the blood loss should correspond to about a quarter of a cup. For a woman, menstrual cycle is a virtuous indicator of her overall wellbeing. Some women get irregular periods that appear at longer intervals, an unpredictable discrepancy in the duration of the cycle and the normal twenty-eight-day cycle is missing. Some women have very insignificant problems with menstrual cycles, while others experience a monthly torture.

Irregular menses is typical in early puberty and not generally perturbing. Women should be alarmed when periods are spaced out for more than two months, as this may suggest hormonal imbalance and ovulation problems. A woman’s customary hormonal cycle is contingent upon a subtle equilibrium between different hormones. Several potential triggers can stimulate hormonal imbalance leading to irregular menses. If a woman fails to ovulate, her ovaries will not receive a signal to produce a hormone called progesterone. Progesterone is essential in regulating the Uterine lining called endometrium, which is discarded during menstruation. Without progesterone, the endometrium persistently grows until it starts to break down and is disposed off as a very heavy uterine bleeding. The endometrium may also shed partially and intermittently, and bleeding becomes irregular or prolonged.

Causes of Irregular Menses:

• Puberty

• Birth control pills

• Stress

• Poor diet due to anorexia, bulimia can influence your hormones

• Excessive weight loss or gain

• Intense exercise

• Breastfeeding

• Anxiety regarding pregnancy

• Anemia

• Menopause

• Excessive production of Androgen (a steroid hormone such as testosterone that controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics)

• Uterine fibroids, cysts, polyps

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (in this condition the ovary does not make all the hormones needed for any egg to mature fully, due to which some follicles remain as cysts, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent)

• Endometriosis (this is a condition where cells similar to those found inside the uterus grow and are attached outside the uterus forming implants. This can lead to infertility and irregular menses)

• Pelvic infection

• Ovarian cancer

• Inflammatory Bowel disease

• Thyroid disease

Symptoms of Irregular Menses:

• Inconsistency in the length of menstrual cycle

• Acne

• Bloating

• Low energy levels

• Sore breasts

• Fever

• Chills

• Changes in sexual desire

• Infertility

• Depression

Homeopathic Approach to Irregular Menses:

Homeopathy offers an holistic approach for treatmet of Irregular menses. Homeopathic treatment for Irregular Menstruation is very competent, non-invasive, safe and inexpensive. Homeopathy treats the patient as a whole and looks deeper into the problem, promotes the immune function and maintains uterine health by eliminating the causative factor. Homeopathic Constitutional treatment based on the holistic approach stimulates the natural hormonal balance without administering any harmful hormone preparations. The goal of this Homeopathic approach is to enliven the body's natural healing and self-repair ability to treat the underlying condition, to prevent it and to create the highest state of health and well-being.

Constitutional Homeopathic treatment with the management of an experienced and professional Homeopath is an excellent choice for Irregular Menstruation. Some Homeopathic remedies that are commonly used to treat Menstrual Irregularities are given below. It is not advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease.

Self-care measures for Irregular Menses:

• Relax and ease stress

• Avoid exhausting physical exercise

• Eliminate any eating disorders

• Eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables

• Reduce your intake of salt and caffeine

Hence, appreciate a natural way to a healthy uterus, convalesce healthy living and curtail the changes that happen during your menstrual years.

By the time a woman is 20 years of age, monthly periods become a part of her routine normal life. Most women are well-equipped to handle it without their normal life (personal or professional) getting affected. They know it is “that time of the month” and are prepared mentally and physically. However, some women find it difficult to do it, as they could be suffering from menstrual problems including irregular periods and uterine bleeding. Most often, the bleeding is abnormal and dysfunctional, when most women are not able to identify a set pattern to it.

The list below identifies the most common forms of abnormal or dysfunctional uterine bleeding:

1. A normal menstrual cycle occurs with a gap of anywhere from 21 to 35 days. Anything shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days is defined as an irregular period
2. Complete lack of period for up to 3 to 5 months is termed as amenorrhea
3. Bleeding that is heavier or lasts longer than usual, and occurs before the due date for that month’s period
4. Scanty bleeding between periods
5. Spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse
6. Spotting or bleeding even after menopause

Causes: The most common causes of abnormal uterine bleeding are as follows:

1. Hormonal imbalances can cause the absence of period, increased frequency and amount of bleeding
2. Miscarriage, bleeding is often the first sign of miscarriage
3. Ectopic pregnancy
4. Pregnancy
5. Cervical or uterine infections
6. Polyps
7. Uterine fibroids
8. Cancers of the reproductive tract
9. Polycystic ovaries
10. Endometrial hyperplasia
11. Problems with blood clotting

Diagnosis: Menstrual problems are very common; however, most women tend to shy away from talking about it and do not come out in the open. When talking to a doctor, a detailed family history, menstrual history, and physical examination are done to come to a diagnosis. Additional diagnosis can also be done by ultrasound, hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy.

Treatment: Identifying the problem helps in initiating the right treatment. A combination of the below is usually used in most women.

1. Hormonal therapy is based on the underlying condition, and the type and dosage is determined based on it. It could be in the form of tablets, injections, vaginal applications, or released through an intrauterine device.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are useful in reducing bleeding and controlling cramps during excessive menstrual bleeding.
3. Antibiotics may be useful if there is an infection of the pelvic organs
4. Polyps, cysts, and cancers can be removed surgically and cancer should be ruled out
5. Endometrial ablation where the endometrial tissue is treated with heat can be used to control bleeding permanently.
6. Hysterectomy is the last resort where other forms of treatment fail.