Irregular Periods Tips

When ovulation doesn't occur, progesterone is not produced, however estrogen-induced endometrial accumulation continues indefinitely. Progesterone normally balances the effects of estrogen. As a result of this unopposed estrogen, shedding of the thickened endometrium is irregular, happening when it can no longer maintain itself. This pattern is known as estrogen breakthrough bleeding, which results in delayed and unusually heavy periods. A pattern more commonly experienced by peri-menopausal women is estrogen withdrawal bleeding. As estrogen levels decline in the peri-menopause, the endometrium develops inadequately. In this case, irregular shedding results in spotting between periods, or light, frequent, and/or short menstruation.

Many women experience anovulatory bleeding at one time or another during their menstruating lifetime. This condition is more common among girls during the year or two after their first period and among women nearing menopause. Anovulatory bleeding is diagnosed by a women's health care provider or gynaecologist after other causes of irregular uterine bleeding have been eliminated through tests and/or diagnostic procedures.

A variety of factors can cause changes in normal hormonal function and menstruation, including:

• Long-distance travel and changes in circadian rhythms
• Medications, such as hormone therapy and oral contraceptives
• Ovarian cysts or other hormone-secreting tumours
• Strenuous physical activity
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Extreme emotional stress
• Chronic disease, illness, infection
• Eating disorders
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Pregnancy

Early diagnosis and treatment of anovulatory bleeding are essential. Possible complications include iron deficiency anaemia, infertility, osteoporosis, and endometrial cancer. With appropriate management, normal menstruation can often resume. Treatment generally includes hormonal regulation with birth control pills or progesterone supplementation.

If a woman has been experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding, fever, abdominal pain, dizziness, and/or fainting, it's important to make an appointment to see a women's health care provider or gynaecologist for an evaluation.

Menstruation is the periodic (usually monthly) shedding of the lining of the uterus that occurs under the influence of hormones. Hormones control ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary), the development of the endometrium (uterine lining), and menses (monthly flow). Appropriate hormones in adequate amounts and released in the proper sequence are necessary for the monthly pattern to continue. Without normal hormonal functioning, ovulation does not take place, disrupting the normal monthly pattern.

During a normal menstrual cycle, hormones from the brain stimulate the ovaries to prepare an egg and to release the hormone estrogen, which builds up the endometrium. Following ovulation, the ovary that released the egg secretes the hormone progesterone, which prepares the endometrium for conception. Progesterone secretion declines if pregnancy does not occur, and the menstrual phase of the cycle begins, with the sloughing off of the endometrium in menstrual blood. Periodic, monthly bleeding can only result following ovulation, since it is this event that promotes progesterone production and declines two weeks later, bringing on menses.

For many women" the period" simply means vaginal bleeding without regard to the pattern of bleeding. In this sense, it is possible to bleed without ovulating, but the bleeding will be irregular. This is known as dysfunctional uterine bleeding or anovulatory bleeding. Anovulatory bleeding varies inflow, duration, and schedule, and often is mistaken for a menstrual period.

Lastly, even though women can have bleeding without ovulation, they still need to use birth control if they want to be protected from pregnancy. The timing of ovulation is unpredictable, so it makes sense to be protected.

Menstrual Cycle!

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.