Periods are a normal and undetachable part of women's lives. They come and go monthly, and for most women, they're not a problem. However, some women don't have regular periods or experience other symptoms during their menstrual cycle that make them worry about the health of their reproductive organs or overall well-being. This article explores what types of abnormal menstruation exists and what causes them, as well as tips on how to treat irregular periods - including when you should seek medical attention.
I am a Gynaecologist Obstetrician ( MD, DNB OBGYN) with an emphasis on INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE.
Abnormal menstruation (also known as irregular periods), is any type of period that does not follow the normal pattern.
The most common symptoms include:
The first step to determining whether or not your period is abnormal is to determine what is normal for you. If you're having trouble remembering how long it has been since your last period, write down the date and time of each day that you have a menstrual cycle.
Abnormal menstruation can be caused by several factors, including:
There are several symptoms that can indicate an abnormal period, such as heavy bleeding, irregular menstrual cycle, bleeding between periods, random spotting, and painful periods (pain may be sharp and localized to the lower abdomen or pelvic area, but it may also radiate through the back and legs). The details are followed below:
Irregular periods are a common occurrence and not necessarily cause for alarm. However, if you have irregular periods and are concerned about them, it's important to be aware of the signs that might indicate a serious condition. If you have any of these symptoms, it's best to see your doctor:
If you have bleeding between periods, this is called menorrhagia. It's also very common in women with anemia. Other causes of abnormal bleeding include hormonal imbalances, fibroids, and other conditions that can cause uterine cancer (endometrial hyperplasia) or make it more likely for you to develop fibroids.
Additional factors that may contribute to abnormal vaginal discharge are stress, exercise levels, PCOS, and the amount of sleep you get every night.
Menopause
is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual cycle stops, and she stops
having periods. Most women experience menopause between ages 45 and 55, but it
can happen earlier. As you get older, your ovaries stop producing eggs and make
less estrogen (the hormone that regulates your reproductive organs). The lining
of your uterus also becomes thinner and less thick. When these changes occur,
they can cause bleeding outside of your normal period time frame. In other
words, you may have bleeding that is not related to your period
at all. This type of abnormal bleeding is called menorrhagia or abnormally
heavy menstruation.
This is a sign of pregnancy. A woman's body releases an egg during ovulation, which begins the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, this egg has 24 hours to be fertilized by sperm before it dies, and the uterus sheds its lining through menstruation. If an egg isn't fertilized within that time frame, it gets expelled from the body as part of the menstrual flow. If you're pregnant and have no signs of bleeding during this time or spotting afterwards (or if you've missed several periods in a row), then you may want to consider talking with a healthcare provider about getting checked for early pregnancy or miscarriage issues.
Bacterial vaginosis is most common among women under 30 years old who aren't sexually active yet but can also affect older women too—even those who don't have sex regularly or at all because they're still virgins. It's caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that normally live inside our bodies but shouldn't grow out of control as they do here; symptoms include abnormal discharge with a fishy smell often accompanied by itching around your vaginal area too. Correcting these conditions requires treatment from either your doctor or another medical professional such as a Gynecologist.
When it comes to diagnosing irregular menstrual periods, you may need to undergo a pelvic exam and/or blood tests.
Treatment depends on the cause of an abnormal period.
● Non-hormonal birth control
● Hormonal birth control
● Pelvic floor exercises
● Oral contraceptives
● Surgical removal of polyps or uterine fibroids
● Lifestyle changes (such as eating, sleeping, and exercising)
You may need to try a few different treatment options before you find one that works for you. If your irregular periods are caused by other health issues, like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), your doctor may prescribe medications to treat that condition first. Never follow self-medication without consulting your doctor. It may worsen your condition.
You must see your doctor if you have a fever, severe pain, or heavy bleeding. If you have severe cramps that last for more than 12 hours with little or no relief from over-the-counter pain medications, this may be another sign of an underlying health condition.
If your period suddenly starts lasting longer than usual, becomes abnormally heavy, or if you experience sudden mood swings or weight gain during your period, that too could mean something isn't right with your body. Many women have experienced some form of an abnormal period. It's best to consult with a doctor to receive expert advice and treatment.
Best Integrative treatment in Bangalore for treating Irregular Periods
Women all over the world experience menstrual irregularities and abnormalities. While many women have no problems with their periods, others may experience pain, heavy bleeding, or spotting between periods. In some cases, these problems can be serious and require immediate medical attention. It's best to consult with a doctor if you're experiencing any of these symptoms so that they can offer expert advice on what treatment options are right for you. Dr. Disha Sridhar is one of the best gynecologists in Bangalore for treating Irregular Periods. She has expertise in INTEGRATIVE FEMALE GYNAECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY and treats issues related to women's hormones, periods, fertility, and pregnancy.
She uses both conventional and alternative methods to cure PCOS and infertility cases. Even though she uses pharmaceuticals for treatment but she always prefers natural approaches first to treat PCOS naturally. With Truhealing protocol, hu dress if women have healed their period problems and fertility issues for good.
Contact her for all your PCOS and infertility-related issues. You can also visit her official website https://www.truhealing.com/ to know about her or to book an online appointment.
Consult with Dr. Disha for all your OBGYN problems
Dr. Disha offers comprehensive, integrative, state-of-the-art gynecological and obstetrical medical care for women throughout the life cycle.
Call +91 9980182168 / +91 8792201157 now to speak to her!
FAQs.
When is bleeding not normal?
Ans. Irregular painful periods and heavy bleeding are not normal.
What are the signs of Irregular menstrual periods?
Ans. If your periods last longer than 7 days; If your periods become irregular before 45 years of age; and if you have medical conditions like PCOS, these are the signs of irregular periods.
What causes irregular menstrual periods?
Ans. Causes of irregular menstruation periods are due to some medication, hormonal imbalance, too much exercise, stress, and PCOS.
Are irregular periods a sign of infertility?
Ans. Generally, irregular periods account for 30-40 % of infertility.
At what age do periods become irregular?
Ans. Generally, periods may become irregular at any age before 40, mainly between the early 30s and after the period of adolescence.
What is the Reason for Irregular Periods?
Ans. Hormonal imbalance, stress, eating disorders, and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) are some of the reasons for irregular periods.
Are irregular periods normal?
Ans. Irregular periods are not normal. It may be due to some underlying health conditions like PCOS.
Originally published May 2, 2019