June 10, 2008

Irregular Periods

Today there are thousands of women who end up dealing with irregular periods, and while for the most part, these types of problems are benign, in some cases, there can be some underlying problems that you may need to get checked out. When it comes to irregular menstrual cycles, some women may end up having their periods just a couple weeks apart, while others end up having them a few months apart, and this can vary from woman to woman. If you’re having problems with irregular periods, you may find it a bit worrisome, so let’s take a close look at what irregular periods are, what can cause it, any health risks, and what can be done about the problem.

What is an Irregular Menstrual Cycle?

asically an irregular menstrual cycle is having periods in a way that is irregular for you. Most women have their periods about every 28 days; however, many women are a bit different, having periods that come every 24 to 45 days, and this can be normal for them. If you have your periods every 28-30 days like clockwork, and then you start missing periods or having them every couple weeks instead, this is considered irregular for you.

Causes of Irregular Periods

here are so many different things that can end up causing you to have irregular periods. Many people end up having them after weight loss or weight gain has occurred. Exercising too much or not eating a healthy diet can also cause a problem with your periods. Other causes of irregular periods can include stress, smoking, too much caffeine, medications, breastfeeding, imbalances in your hormones, polycystic ovaries, too much alcohol, drug use, and eating disorders.

Are There Health Risks?

hile usually skipping a period now and then or having two in one month is not really something to worry about. In many cases this can be attributed to not ovulating that much or too much stress or something simple. However, there are times when irregular periods can be a sign of something more. In some cases this can be something that points to another problem such as polycystic ovaries, uterine fibroids, or even an infection in the ovaries. Also, women who end up having more periods than normal can end up dealing with anemia as well.

Solving the Problem

o, you may be wondering what you can do about your problems with irregular periods. The best thing to do is to see your doctor and have a total physical. Make sure you have a pelvic exam done as well. This way, your doctor can find out if there is anything more serious that is causing the problems you're dealing with. In many cases doctors prescribe birth control pills, which can help women get their cycle back on track. So, while there may be no significant problem, it's best to have a doctor check you out if you're having problems with an irregular menstrual cycle.