Before anything else, let’s be clear on this: every woman has a unique menstrual cycle. The length of the menstrual cycle varies from person to person and you may not need to be worried about it, if it happens in certain months few and far in between. However, if the irregular cycle persists, it might be an indication that there are underlying health issues. Or, menstrual irregularities and their causes could include variations in hormonal balance.

Either way, learning about irregular menstrual cycle causes can help you deal with them in a way that solves the underlying health issues or helps you avail suggestions from a medical professional to regulate your periods. So for your help, here are listed the 5 possible common causes of irregular periods. If you suspect that you’re having an irregular cycle for any of the below reasons, keep reading to find the solution.

5 Reasons Behind Irregular Periods

Certain Medications Or Medical Conditions

Both medicines and ailments can cause irregular periods. In fact, for gynecological conditions, irregular periods can be a symptom. Similarly medications like antidepressants and anticoagulants can affect your regular menstrual cycle. 

In such situations, it is important to be vigilant of your health and try to identify any other symptoms that you might be facing. And with that information, you should get medical help to understand the underlying health problems you are facing. Some of the most common health conditions that can cause irregular periods are listed below.

• Endometriosis
• Uterine Fibroids
• Polyps
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Hyperthyroidism
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Stress

Stress was seen as a cause for irregular menstrual cycles among women. However, in 2021, this was finally confirmed by a medical study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study made it clear that amidst stress of the ongoing pandemic, women suffered from irregular periods. This was even more true in cases where women had personal stress affecting them as they had heavier and longer periods than normal due to that. The way it works is basically stress leads to the release of hormones in the body like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can interact with sex hormones that regulate menstruation and affect your cycle.

Perimenopause

Your regular menstrual cycle can slowly transition towards menopause after a certain age. At such times, your body will start exhibiting signs of irregular periods that are heavier or lighter. There is nothing to be alarmed about if you are otherwise healthy and feeling well. Perimenopause is the stage before menopause sets in and ends your reproductive years. 

This can happen at different ages for different women, but on average, this cause is typical in women above the age of 40 facing irregular periods. Medical attention is not generally required in such cases, but you should at least inform your doctor about the symptoms to understand if you are approaching menopause or not.

Hormone-related conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is one of the most common causes of irregular periods among women of all ages. This is a condition that leads to the growth of cysts in your ovaries, and causes an increase in androgen levels in your body. If left unchecked, it affects your ovulation and affects your regular menstrual cycle. It is also common for women with PCOS to experience heavy bleeding during their periods. To check if your irregular periods are caused by PCOS or not, here are some telltale symptoms.

• Hair loss/fall
• Sudden weight changes
• Acne breakouts

Thyroid Condition

Thyroid is the name of a gland located on your neck and its purpose is to secrete hormones. If the gland overworks, it leads to a condition called hyperthyroidism, which causes sudden weight loss, shorter and lighter periods, anxiety, and heart palpitations. Similarly, if the gland is underworking, it can lead to a condition called hypothyroidism. This condition leads to heavier periods that are longer, tiredness, and sudden weight gain. If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned here, you should talk to your doctor and get the required treatment.

Conclusion

Lastly, you should know, irregular periods are not always caused by underlying health conditions. Sometimes, it can be caused by excessive physical stress or birth control medications. Now that you know some of the most common reasons for irregular menstrual cycle, feel free to visit us or check out our website to learn more about women’s health. At MASSH, we specialize in treating all types of gynecological issues with modern treatment processes that allow quick recovery and risk-free treatments.