Irregular Period (Menstrual Irregularities): Symptoms, Causes, Types

What Are Irregular periods?

Irregular periods (menstrual irregularities) are menstrual cycles that deviate from the typical pattern of a woman's menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is a complex process that involves the release of hormones from the brain and ovaries, which regulate the growth and shedding of the uterine lining. A typical menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but cycles can range from 21 to 35 days. A woman's menstrual cycle can also vary in length from month to month. However, if a woman experiences significant changes in the length of her menstrual cycle, or if her periods are very light, very heavy, or occur unpredictably, she may have irregular periods. 

When Is a Menstrual Period Considered Irregular? 

A menstrual period (menstrual irregularities) is considered irregular if it deviates from a woman's typical menstrual cycle pattern. This can include variations in the length of the menstrual cycle, the duration of the period, and the amount of bleeding. 

Here are some common ways that a menstrual period can be considered irregular:

1. Cycle length: A typical menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but cycles can range from 21 to 35 days. If a woman's menstrual cycle length varies by more than a few days from month to month, or if she has cycles that are shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, she may have an irregular cycle. 
2. Bleeding duration: A typical menstrual period lasts about 3 to 7 days, but periods can range from 2 to 10 days. If a woman's period lasts significantly longer or shorter than this, she may have an irregular period. 
3. Bleeding amount: A woman's period can vary in terms of the amount of bleeding, but if she experiences very light or very heavy bleeding, she may have an irregular period. 

What Are the Major Symptoms of Irregular Menstruation

The major symptoms of irregular periods or Abnormal Menstruation include:

1. Inconsistency: The menstrual cycle is not consistent from month to month, with changes in cycle length, duration of bleeding, or bleeding intensity. 
2. Infrequent periods: A woman may have fewer than nine menstrual periods in a year, or she may experience long gaps of time between periods. 
3. Heavy bleeding: A woman may experience very heavy bleeding during her period, which may last for more than seven days. 
4. Light bleeding: A woman may experience very light bleeding or spotting between periods, which may be a sign of hormonal imbalance or other underlying medical conditions. 
5. Painful periods: Some women may experience painful cramps during their period, which can be a sign of underlying medical conditions such as endometriosis. 
6. Emotional symptoms: Women with irregular periods may experience emotional symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression. 

What Are The Cause Of Irregular Periods?

There can be many reasons for menstrual irregularities, the major irregular periods reasons include:

Medical conditions:

Certain medications, such as hormonal contraceptives, can affect the menstrual cycle and cause irregular periods. Underlying medical conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can cause irregular periods. 

Lifestyle factors:

High levels of stress can disrupt hormone levels and lead to irregular periods. Over-exercising can cause hormonal imbalances and lead to irregular periods. 

Non-Disease-Related Issues:

1. Hormonal imbalances: Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen, and progesterone, can cause irregular periods. 
2. Weight changes: Rapid weight gain or loss can cause hormonal imbalances and irregular periods. 
3. Perimenopause or menopause: As women approach menopause, their hormone levels naturally decline, which can cause irregular periods.