15 Jul Period Talk: When Is Your Irregular Menstrual Cycle a Cause for Concern?
The average period cycle is about 21-35 days. The bleeding normally lasts for 2 to 7 days. During the first few years of menstruation, your menstrual cycle can be longer.
You can determine if you have an irregular menstrual cycle by counting on the last day of your previous period and stop counting on the first day of your next period. Your period is considered irregular if the range is outside the 21-35 average cycle.
Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Aside from counting the days leading up to your next first period, there are other signs that you have an irregular menstrual cycle such as:
- Period that lasts longer than seven days
- Changes in your menstrual flow
- Periods experienced with severe pain, cramping, nausea, or vomiting
- Bleeding in between periods
Several causes can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, including stress. However, there are also medical conditions that can contribute to the irregularity of one’s menstrual cycle, including:
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
- Thyroid gland disorders
- Bleeding disorders
- Uterine cancer or ovarian cancer
- Eating disorders
Other factors can also affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, such as:
- Birth control pills
- Medications
- Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
- Surgery
There are ways to prevent irregular menstrual cycles. Your doctor might prescribe a birth control pill for you to make your bleeding normal.
Your health care provider might also try to treat any medical conditions affecting your menstrual cycle. Treatments for irregular periods will depend on your full diagnosis.
It also helps if you manage your stress, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and get quality sleep.
Should You Be Concerned with Irregular Menstrual Cycle?
You should talk to your doctor if you have been bleeding for more than 10 days. In addition, heavy period flow that requires changing of your sanitary napkin should be reported to your medical provider.
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing the following symptoms with your irregular menstrual cycle:
- Severe pain during and between your periods
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Nausea, vomiting, or fainting
- Irregular periods after having months of having a regular menstrual cycle
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SOURCE:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14633-abnormal-menstruation-periods