Menstruation is a hormonal process on which a woman’s physical and mental health largely depends. As a rule, menstruation occurs every 28 days. It can last from three to six days depending on hormonal activity. However, some women may have irregular periods.
And although you should not be scared right away, it is important to pay attention to this in order to avoid the development of complications. Irregular periods can indicate more serious health problems, so it’s best to consult with a qualified doctor who can make an accurate diagnosis.
Many do not know what can cause such changes, so today we will talk about seven possible reasons.
Possible Causes Of Irregular Menstruation
During a cycle, a woman’s body undergoes a series of changes that many do not pay attention to. But these changes affect sexuality and the likelihood of conception. The production of hormones in the body varies depending on the age of a woman: from adolescence to the onset of menopause.Any irregularity in the menstrual cycle indicates a health problem or at least a hormonal imbalance. An earlier or later violation of menstruation may indicate some kind of anomaly in the body.
Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid disorders are usually the main cause of irregular menstrual cycles.Therefore, according to various studies, its imbalance is associated with a large proportion of cases of amenorrhea or abnormal menstruation.This small gland simultaneously controls the functioning of the endocrine system, metabolism, and sexual activity.
Thus, it is important to keep your thyroid healthy and give up all those habits that may be damaging it. If you experience anxiety, tremors, weakness in muscles, and irregular periods, make sure you consult a doctor right away. This is because all these are symptoms of thyroid disorder and only a doctor can confirm a serious problem.
Alcohol Abuse
One of the leading causes of irregular or even skipped menstruation is heavy booze sessions. Drinking alcoholic beverages in excess can cause hormonal imbalance, which can disrupt your periods. Besides this, regular consumption of alcoholic beverages can also affect fertility among women. Thus, it is a great threat to your health and you must find help to quit this habit.
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Usage Of Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives prevent a woman from getting pregnant. They maintain a high level of estrogen in the body, which is perceived by the body as pregnancy and interferes with fertilization.21 days after taking oral contraceptives, menstruation comes as usual.
Unfortunately. Very often when women stop taking oral contraceptives, periods become irregular or disappear altogether due to drastic hormonal changes. Experts that approximately 29% of women who stop taking oral contraceptives suffer from cycle disorders for about 3 months.
Intense Workouts
According to scientific research, exhausting sports training can negatively affect the health of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, and pituitary gland. In turn, this usually leads to menstrual irregularities.For example, women who train for a marathon or athletic competition may experience a lack of menstruation for one to two months due to changes in hormonal activity.
As a rule, approximately 81% of women who are engaged in bodybuilding experience amenorrhea at least 1 time in their lives. Thus, if you are a sportswoman, irregular menstruation may not indicate a serious health problem.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance, which leads, for example, to polycystic ovary syndrome, is the main cause of the failure of the menstrual cycle.It changes the levels of sex hormones in the body, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This can cause such unpleasant consequences as, for example:
- Abnormal growth of body hair
- Acne
- Sudden fluctuations in weight
Another hormonal problem is premature menopause, which can begin before the age of 40. There can be several reasons for premature menopause and you can discuss this problem with your doctor.
You should know that irregular menstruation or premature menopause is accompanied by:
- Dryness in the vagina
- Night sweats
- Sudden mood swings
Stress
An article published in Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews explains the relationship between irregular periods and stress. The reproductive system gets controlled by both the neuronal and endocrine systems.
The hypothalamus is a neuroendocrine gland responsible for the functioning of the ovaries. Thus, any change, for example, caused by stress, can affect the menstrual cycle. And it is possible that these changes will lead to variations in the cycle or make it more painful.
Lack Of Nutrients
Improper diet and nutritional deficiencies can negatively affect the thyroid and adrenal glands. The lack ofantioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics in the body increases the level of cortisol in the body. And this, in turn, leads to hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue.
Keep in mind that high cortisol doesn’t just increase stress. It also inhibits the activity of many important hormones that are responsible for sexual activity.At the first sign of irregular menstruation, it is very important to provide your body with a completely balanced diet.
Take Away
If your periods are irregular, there might be one or more reasons for it. The most common of which we mentioned above in the article. You can prevent some of these causes by taking the right decisions. Now the question arises what to do if menstruation becomes irregular?It is important to know what factors cause menstrual irregularities in order to provide appropriate treatment.
In addition, you need to consult a gynecologist to check the hormonal background and the factors that affect this problem. Keep in mind that there is nothing to panic about and through proper treatment, the issue can be resolved too. All you have to do is listen to your doctor and also stay away from bad habits.