What is the Reason for Irregular Periods?

This article talks about irregular, delayed, and missed periods and every bit of information around them. We focus on what is the reason for irregular periods, symptoms of irregular periods, irregular period causes, and the treatment for the same.

What is an Irregular Period?

Typically, the duration of the menstrual cycle is 22-35 days starting from the first day of the last period till the first day of the next period. Usually, 5-7 days of variation in the menstrual cycle is considered acceptable. If the variation is more than 8 days and this irregularity is there 2-3 times a year, it is termed as the period irregularity and needs to be investigated to determine the root cause.

Symptoms of Irregular Periods

The symptoms of irregular periods may include:

The Menstrual Cycle Hormones

The menstrual cycle is entirely regulated by 4 important hormones:

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) are produced by the pituitary gland. This is a small pea-sized gland located in the base of the brain that plays a major role to regulate vital body functions. It is also called the 'master gland' as it is responsible for controlling the activity of other hormone-secreting glands. The function of these hormones is to promote ovulation (i.e. develop and release eggs in the ovary) and stimulate the ovaries to further produce Estrogen and Progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone stimulate the uterus and breasts and prepare the body for possible fertilization or pregnancy.

The menstrual cycle has three phases:

The Follicular Phase

Typically, the follicular phase begins on the first day of the period and ends when a woman ovulates. This phase starts when the hypothalamus gland (located in the brain) sends a signal to the pituitary gland to release the FSH. This FSH hormone stimulates the ovaries to produce about 5-20 tiny sacs called follicles. Each follicle contains an immature egg. Normally, only the healthiest of the eggs eventually matures (though in some rare cases, a woman may have two eggs mature). The rest of the follicles are reabsorbed by the body. The maturing follicle increases the level of Estrogen that thickens the lining of the uterus to create an environment for the embryo to grow.

This entire follicle phase lasts for about 16 days on average and can range from 11 to 27 days.

The Ovulatory Phase

The increased estrogen levels during the follicular phase trigger the pituitary gland to produce another hormone, the LH. This triggers the process of ovulation. It is the only time when a woman can get pregnant. During this phase, the ovary releases the matured egg. This egg travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus to be fertilized by a sperm. A woman may experience symptoms in this phase such as a slight rise in basal body temperature or thick discharge with a texture similar to that of egg whites.

Ovulation happens in the middle of the menstrual cycle (for instance, ovulation will happen on day 14 if you have a 28-days cycle). Generally, it lasts about 24 hours. After this, the egg dies or dissolves if it is not fertilized by the sperm.

The Luteal phase

When the follicle releases its egg, it is called the corpus luteum. This produces the hormone called Progesterone and the rise in Progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy. Therefore, the Estrogen works to keep the uterine lining thick and the Progesterone makes it ready for a fertilized egg to implant.

If the pregnancy happens, the body will produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which is detected by the hormone pregnancy tests. hCG helps to maintain the corpus luteum and keeps the lining of the uterus thick.

If the pregnancy does not happen, the corpus luteum will shrink and be reabsorbed by the body. This decreases the levels of Estrogen and Progesterone in the body and the uterine lining will shed in the form of a monthly period.

Typically, the luteal phase lasts for 11 to 17 days and 14 days on average.

The length of the follicular phase is variable as the eggs may develop slowly or may take a long time. This increases or decreases the length of this phase. On the other hand, the length of the luteal phase is fixed. Hence, the length of the menstrual cycle depends on the length of the follicular or the pre-ovulatory phase and this disturbs the ovulation. If the ovulation happens late, is irregular, or is not happening at all, it will have a direct impact on the length of the menstrual cycle.

What is the Reason for Irregular Periods – The Irregular Periods Causes

Irregular periods are quite common but what is the reason for irregular periods? It can be attributed to several factors, from hormonal imbalance to other underlying medical conditions.

1. Pregnancy

If a woman is pregnant, she will not get her period. Pregnancy may result in a missed period or spotting.

2. Lactation/Breastfeeding

A woman’s body releases a hormone, prolactin when she is breastfeeding. Prolactin suppresses the reproductive hormones resulting in no bleeding or light bleeding.

3. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS/PCOD)

Having irregular periods is the most common sign of PCOS/PCOD. However, along with this, a woman may experience other symptoms such as increased facial and body hair or weight gain.

NewMumLife team’s interaction with Dr. Neelu Khanna, Consultant Gynecologist, on everything you need to know about PCOD.

Another interaction with Dt. Shifali Mehra on the diet plan to cure PCOD permanently.

4. Perimenopause

This is the transition phase before periods are about to stop and usually begins in the 40s. During this time, the Estrogen levels fluctuate and the periods may become irregular. A woman may experience certain symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, or vaginal dryness.

5. Thyroid

Hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid) may cause long and heavy periods with increased cramping. Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormones) may result in light and short period cycles.

6. Infections

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and other infections can also cause irregular periods. There are many symptoms including bleeding between periods or after intercourse.

7. Stress

Stress interferes with the part of the brain that controls hormones that are responsible to regulate your cycle. This disturbs the menstrual cycle and causes the periods to be irregular.

8. Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids may result in periods that are painful and extremely heavy, thus causing a lot of discomfort to the woman.

9. Premature Ovarian Failure

Normally, menopause happens after the age of 38 years. If it happens before this age, it is termed premature menopause. This is due to several factors such as if a woman has undergone Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, autoimmune disease, or some other genetic disorders.

10. Weight Gain/Obesity

Weight gain and being overweight affect the hormones and insulin levels, which in turn interferes with the menstrual cycle and makes the periods irregular.

11. Excessive Exercise

Women who pursue intense workouts or physical activities often experience missed or stopped periods. Excessive exercising disturbs the levels of hormones responsible for menstruation.

12. Medications

Certain medications may interfere with your menstrual cycles such as blood thinners, thyroid medications, epilepsy drugs, antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, aspirin, and ibuprofen.

13. Endometriosis

Wherein the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. This may result in heavy bleeding, prolonged periods, and bleeding between periods.

14. Cervical and Endometrial Cancer

These may affect your menstrual cycle causing bleeding between periods or heavy periods.

15. Being Underweight

Losing weight or being underweight may cause your period to stop altogether. Low consumption of calories interferes with the production of the hormones needed for ovulation.

16. Hormonal Birth Control Pills

The use of hormonal birth control pills or hormone-containing IUDs can cause breakthrough bleeding, spotting between periods, or much lighter periods.

The Treatment - Ways to Tackle the Irregular Periods

Naturally, a woman was never prepared to have irregular periods. If we talk about what is the reason for irregular periods, we can say that today’s lifestyle changes, work pressures, health issues, or dietary habits are the major factors responsible for this irregularity. Every other woman has been identified to experience the problem of irregular periods. There are several irregular periods causes, but most of the time, irregularity is normal and can be tackled with certain lifestyle changes. So, give yourself some time and love and pamper yourself. Always remember, if you are happy, only then you can make others happy. So, be happy and keep glowing!