Periods occur when the inner lining of the uterus (that is called the endometrium) sheds and leaves the uterus through the vagina. The average length of the menstrual cycle is from 24 to 35 days. If your periods occur more or less often or their duration varies significantly, such periods can be considered irregular. In this article, we have gathered eight common causes of irregular periods you should be aware of.
1. Stress
Stress can affect many aspects of your body including your reproductive functions and menstrual cycle. The point is that stress boosts the production of hormones that suppress ovulation. If ovulation doesn’t occur, the endometrium doesn’t thicken and shed as it should. You should also know that physical stress like excessive exercising, sudden weight gain or loss, and certain chronic diseases can also make your periods irregular or missing.
2. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium starts to grow outside of the uterus on pelvic organs. This condition can develop asymptomatically or cause severe periods, lower back pain, irregular periods, spotting (bleeding between periods), and infertility. There is no cure for endometriosis but certain treatment options (like conservative surgery, hormonal therapy, etc.) can help ease your symptoms.
3. Primary ovarian insufficiency
Primary ovarian insufficiency (also known as premature ovarian failure) is a condition in which the ovaries stop working properly and don’t release eggs before the age of 40. Women with this condition can experience symptoms of menopause like irregular or missing periods, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, infertility, etc. Hormonal therapy and lifestyle changes can help manage your symptoms but primary ovarian failure can’t be cured.
4. Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that occurs when a woman has increased levels of men’s hormones. This condition leads to the development of multiple cysts on the ovaries that can be diagnosed during the pelvic ultrasound. Other symptoms of PCOS include:
- Acne
- Increased facial and body hair
- Male-pattern baldness
- Weight gain
- Irregular periods
- Infertility
If you have noticed at least some of these symptoms, it is better to visit a gynecologist.
5. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop on the uterine walls. They can grow large or small. Additionally, a woman can have only one or multiple fibroids. In many cases, fibroids develop asymptomatically and many women don’t know that they have them until the pelvic exam. However, fibroids can cause lower back pain, irregular periods, pain during sex, and spotting in some women.
6. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition that occurs when pelvic organs become infected and inflamed because of an untreated infection like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis. The most common symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease include chronic pelvic pain, irregular periods, spotting, pain during sex, and abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell. You should also know that the inflammation can damage the ovaries and fallopian tubes that can lead to infertility.
7. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland is overactive and it produces too many hormones (T4, T3, or both). This condition usually manifests itself through weight loss, light and irregular periods, high blood pressure, hand tremor, and rapid heart rate. Timely and proper hyperthyroidism treatment can help ease your symptoms and normalize your menstrual cycle.
8. Perimenopause
Perimenopause is a transitional phase before the onset of menopause. It usually starts at age 40 but can happen earlier in some women. The point is that perimenopause can cause symptoms for 4 to 8 years that usually start with a change in the menstrual cycle (irregular or missed periods) that occur because of estrogen fluctuations. Perimenopause can also cause night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, and vaginal dryness.
