The average duration of the menstrual cycle is generally 28 days, however, it’s completely normal for periods to come a bit early or late.
In general, females, who are still going through puberty, have higher chances of getting irregular periods, whereas females, who are past this phase, develop a regular cycle. Irregular periods are a condition when the length of the menstrual cycle becomes irregular and keeps on changing.
What causes irregular periods?
The irregularity in the periods could be caused due to various reasons such as hormonal imbalance, PCOS, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, etc. In some cases, the cycle gets back to normal on its own within 2-3 months; however, it is advisable to get these conditions evaluated by your doctor in case this irregularity continues for a longer period of time. Some of the major and common reasons behind the irregularity of the menstrual cycle can also lead to infertility.
Irregular periods and infertility
Irregular periods could be held accountable for a lot of cases where it gets difficult for a female to conceive. Irregular bleeding patterns, no bleeding at all could mean that a female is not ovulating normally. Although this condition could be possibly treated by fertility drugs, it is advisable to evaluate all the reasons that may interfere with your fertility.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome):
Irregular periods are a telltale sign of females suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome. In such cases, a female may experience a spectrum of menstrual irregularities ranging from prolonged menstrual cycle length, menstrual cycle with a very heavy flow, no menstrual cycle without taking medications. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that can cause the ovaries not to work. In most cases, the ovaries become enlarged and appear covered with tiny, fluid-filled cysts. It can cause no ovulation or irregular ovulation.
Thyroid:
In a study, it was found that almost 44% of the females who were suffering from an irregularity of periods also had thyroid issues. Where hypothyroidism causes very heavy bleeding along with severe menstrual cramping and fatigue, hyperthyroidism causes a shorter and lighter period along with anxiety and weight loss.
Stress:
People may experience stress in many different ways, such as sadness, irritability, insomnia, and headaches. When an extremely stressful situation arises, any system that isn’t necessary for survival shuts down, including your reproductive system. Stress does link to that part of the brain, which regulates the menstruation controlling hormones. This is why your period can be late when you’re experiencing high levels of stress for an extended period of time. Stress could be one of the evils that may be causing your menstrual cycle to become irregular. For some couples, infertility itself causes a lot of stress which eventually may affect their fertility.
The study by Boston University suggests that when one person is more stressed than the other (also known as “stress discordance”), getting pregnant could be difficult because it can indicate poor relationship quality.
Overweight:
Being overweight is one of the most common reasons behind irregular periods. Research shows that the excess weight messes up with the hormone level alongside affecting the levels of Insulin. This imbalance, as a consequence, interferes with your menstrual cycle, causing it to become irregular
Medication:
There are certain medications that could easily alter the regularity of the menstrual cycle. These could be antidepressants and oral contraceptive pills.
Diminished Ovarian Reserve:
There are not many symptoms that could tell that a female’s ovarian reserve is diminishing, nonetheless, delayed menstrual cycle, no menstrual cycle, shorter menstrual cycles, or scanty flow, could be some of the symptoms that indicate that the quality and the quantity of the eggs are getting negatively affected or getting diminished.
Fibroids-
Fibroids are benign muscular growth in the uterus. When they are confined within muscular layer, they are known as intramural fibroids, when they start growing inside the uterus lining (endometrium), they are known as sub-mucosal fibroids. Sub-mucosal fibroids can be one of the reasons for irregular periods.
Endometrial polyps-
These are small growths in the lining of the uterus(endometrium) which can be a cause of irregular bleeding, spotting in between periods.
Cancer:
Women should not be taking the infrequent periods or irregular menstrual cycle lightly as it could be a sign that a female is suffering from some form of reproductive organ cancer(ovaries, uterus, cervix).
Hormonal birth control pills and breastfeeding are also some of the causes of irregular bleeds.
Treatment
The treatment could vary depending on the actual reason if any that makes the menstruation irregular. It may also be required to treat the underlying condition that could be playing a part. Treatment can be medical interventions or surgical interventions. Sometimes optimizing ovulation Induction only helps to regularize the menstrual cycle. Structural treatments may include surgical removal of uterine fibroids, removal of polyps. Other surgical interventions, which are helpful, are –
- Hysteroscopy. In this technique, your doctor will insert a thin hysteroscope through your vagina and cervix into the uterus. If your doctor finds any endometrial polyps that cause irregular bleeds and infertility, they will be removed at this time.
- Endometrialbiopsy. This is a biopsy where the doctor with the help of a small plastic tool, gets the inside lining of your uterus. This lining serves as the sample tissue to check for the state of the lining of the uterus, any infections, and for the presence of any abnormal cells which can lead to cancer.
