Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Banam Sravanthi

Irregular Periods or Menstrual Cycles

A menstrual cycle is normal vaginal bleeding that happens as a part of a woman's monthly cycle. Every woman is different and every woman's period cycle is different. For some women, it is like clockwork and for some, it may come early or late.

However, there may be some women for whom the length of their cycle exceeds 35 days. This means the menstrual cycle is irregular and a woman experiences irregular menses. So, an irregular period is any cycle that would drift away from its monthly cycle, which means the length of the menstrual cycle would keep changing.

What are Menstrual Irregularities?

Menstrual irregularities refer to any changes in a woman's menstrual cycle, including variations in timing, duration or flow that differ from her usual pattern. These irregularities can include absent periods, infrequent cycles, heavy bleeding or irregular spotting between periods.

Types of Menstrual Irregularities

What are the Symptoms of Irregular Periods?

The symptoms of irregular menses, also called Oligomenorrhea, are:

What are the Causes of Irregular Menses?

Many factors can increase the chances of irregular menstruation, and the most common being a hormonal imbalance. The two hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle are oestrogen and progesterone, and their imbalance can disrupt the menstrual cycle. Other possible causes of irregular menses or irregular periods reasons are:

1. Stress or Anxiety

Getting stressed out on any problem, be it big or small can upset your hormonal imbalance, causing a missed period or an irregular cycle.

2. Poor Diet

A poor diet low in nutrients, antioxidants, and probiotic foods can strain the adrenal and thyroid glands, raising the level of cortisol in your body (a hormone released during stress). This resulting cortisol imbalance leads to changes in oestrogen and progesterone, thus disrupting the menstrual cycle.

3. Eating Disorders

Eating disorders like Anorexia and Bulimia have been linked with low levels of reproductive hormones, which causes irregular menses.

4. Extreme Weight Loss or Gain

Sudden weight gain or weight loss affects the regularity of menses as it affects the functioning of hormones.

5. Too much Exercise/Running/Cycling

The menstrual cycle is dependent on body fat and hormonal balance. Exercising too much can result in weight loss, shifting hormonal balance.

6. Using Birth Control Pills or Having an Intrauterine Device

Birth control pills or IUD's can make periods lighter, cause missed periods, or less or more frequent periods and even no periods at all.

7. Some Medications/Anticoagulants

Some antipsychotic antidepressants can cause irregular periods, and anticoagulants (blood thinners) like heparin and warfarin can make periods heavier.

8. Bleeding Disorders

If a woman has bleeding disorders like platelet disorders clotting factor deficiency, then it can cause prolonged or heavy bleeding.

9. Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism

A thyroid disorder can cause irregular periods. The body's metabolism is affected by the hormone produced by the thyroid gland.

10. Hyperprolactinemia

In hyperprolactinemia (increased prolactin level), menstrual disorders like irregular bleeding, insufficient luteal phase, anovulatory cycle and amenorrhoea are common.

11. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

A woman who has pelvic inflammatory disease might experience irregular menstrual periods, prolonged periods and spotting or cramps throughout the month.

12. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A woman with PCOS does not ovulate, so an egg is not released every month. So, the chances of irregular periods or no periods increase.

13. Uterine Fibroids

A woman with uterine fibroids if symptomatic can experience heavy bleeding, irregular bleeding or painful periods.

14. Endometriosis

If a woman has endometriosis, she will most probably suffer from irregular periods because the lining of the endometrium is shed every month during menstruation. But in this case, the lining is found outside the uterus.

Cancerous Growth Within the Uterus, Cervix and Ovaries can cause bleeding in between periods or during sexual intercourse.

Do Irregular Periods Mean Infertility?

Having irregular menstruation or missed periods can be a major contributing factor to infertility. Irregular or abnormal ovulation accounts for 30-40 % of all cases of female infertility. If a woman is having irregular periods, no periods or unusual bleeding, then it is an indication that she is not ovulating (anovulation).

This leads to untimely egg release by the ovary and does not allow timely fertilisation of egg and sperm or at times no fertilisation at all, leading to infertility. Such cases require proper consultation and guidance from fertility experts.

What are the Irregular Menses Treatment Options?

It is advisable to consult a doctor if you notice any symptoms of irregular periods. The treatment of irregular menses or irregular periods would be based on the cause of the symptoms.

1. Medications

If the reason for irregular periods is due to a hormonal imbalance, then the doctor may prescribe drugs or hormonal therapy to regulate the menstrual cycle.

2. Stress

If irregular menses are caused by stress, it is advisable to remain stress-free. This will help regulate the hormones, which in turn will control the menstrual cycle.

3. Underlying Diseases

If irregular menses are due to any disease or underlying bleeding disorders, then the doctor will first treat the primary disease and then see its impact on the menstrual cycle.

4. Surgery

If irregular periods are caused by fallopian tube blockage or some structural problem in the uterus like uterine fibroids, then they can be removed through surgery to regulate the menstrual cycle.

5. Lifestyle Changes

A woman should strive to achieve a healthy weight, maintain a balanced lifestyle, quit smoking and limit excessive alcohol consumption. She should also eat a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise, which can be beneficial in regulating her menstrual cycle.

Effects of irregular periods on women's Health

Irregular periods, also known as menstrual irregularities, can affect various aspects of a woman’s physical and emotional health. While an occasional missed or delayed period may not be a major concern, consistent irregularities could signal underlying health issues that need attention.

1. Hormonal Imbalance

One of the most common effects of irregular periods is a disruption in the balance of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. This imbalance can lead to acne, unwanted hair growth, weight fluctuations, and mood swings.

2. Fertility Issues

Irregular ovulation makes it difficult to predict the fertile window, which can hinder efforts to conceive. In some cases, irregular periods are a symptom of conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) or thyroid disorders, which are directly linked to fertility challenges.

3. Increased Risk of Anemia

Heavy or prolonged bleeding, which sometimes accompanies irregular cycles, can lead to low iron levels and anemia. This may cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

4. Impact on Bone Health

Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining bone density. Low or inconsistent estrogen levels due to irregular periods may increase the risk of bone thinning and osteoporosis over time.

5. Emotional and Mental Health Effects

Living with unpredictable cycles can be stressful. Many women experience anxiety, irritability, and depressive symptoms, especially if the irregularity is related to hormonal shifts or chronic conditions.

6. Increased Risk of Endometrial Problems

Irregular shedding of the uterine lining can lead to thickening of the endometrium. Over time, this may increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer rarely.

7. Quality of Life

Heavy, prolonged or unpredictable bleeding can interfere with daily life, affecting work, travel, physical comfort and emotional well-being.

How to Get Pregnant With Irregular Periods?

Getting pregnant with irregular periods can be more challenging, but it is possible with the right approach. The key is to understand your cycle, improve your reproductive health and use the right tools to track ovulation.

1. Track Ovulation Carefully

With irregular periods, ovulation doesn't always happen at the same time each month. Try the following methods to track ovulation:

2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Your overall health plays a major role in fertility.

3. Treat Medical Conditions

Irregular periods can be caused by issues like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems or hormonal imbalances.

4. Consider Fertility-Boosting Supplements

Some supplements may help support reproductive health, but consult a specialist before starting any supplements:

5. Time Intercourse Around Your Fertile Window

Try to have intercourse every 2–3 days throughout your cycle, especially when signs of ovulation appear. This increases the chances of sperm being present when ovulation occurs.

6. Consult a Fertility Specialist If Needed

If you've been trying to conceive for over a year (or 6 months if you're over 35), speak with a fertility expert. They may recommend:

Conclusion

Every woman is unique in one way or another, including her menstrual cycle. On average every woman gets her periods every 24 to 38 days. Even if your periods are irregular, it isn't always a sign of a problem, but sometimes it's a good idea to see a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions