If you never know when your period is coming, you may be part of the 30% of women who have irregular periods. The team of expert gynecologists at Contemporary Women’s Care in Winter Park and Lake Nona, Florida, diagnose and treat the conditions that cause irregular periods. Whether you have a hormonal imbalance, uterine fibroids, or too much stress in your life, the compassionate doctors help you improve your reproductive health. Call or make an appointment online today.
Your menstrual cycle should last around 28 days — give or take a few days — and the length of time between your periods shouldn’t vary more than a day or two. If you have your period more frequently than every 21 days or if more than 38 days pass between your periods, your period is considered irregular.
Other menstrual irregularities include:
If you’re not sure if your periods are regular, count the days between the last day of your period until the first day of your next one for three months. Your period is irregular if that number is significantly different each month.
One of the most common causes of irregular periods is anovulation. Anovulation occurs when you don’t ovulate during your cycle, which is usually due to hormone imbalances. Other causes of irregular periods include:
Your age can also influence the regularity of your menstrual cycles. For example, when young women first start to get their periods, their cycles aren’t always regular because their hormones fluctuate. And as you approach menopause, your risk of having irregular periods increases.
Irregular periods are a warning sign of hormonal imbalances and ovulation problems that could interfere with your fertility and overall health and wellness. If you have irregular periods and other disruptive symptoms of hormonal imbalance or are concerned about infertility, you should make an appointment to speak to one of the physicians at Contemporary Women’s Care.
Your doctor can recommend treatments depending on the condition causing your irregular periods. For example, if you’re under a significant amount of stress, your doctor may recommend stress management techniques.
Alternatively, if your irregular periods are due to a hormonal imbalance, you may benefit from taking an oral contraceptive or another hormone therapy. Your doctor may prescribe thyroid hormones if an underactive thyroid is the root cause of your symptoms.
If you’re troubled by your abnormal or unpredictable menstrual cycle, call Contemporary Women’s Care or make an appointment online today.