What are irregular periods? 

Periods or menstruation is a normal physiological process occurring in a female body. In general a regular menstruation lasts for 4-6 days and occurs anywhere between every 28-35 days. A period may be considered irregular if the menses does not start even after 35 days or if the periods occur at irregular gaps of different number of days each time.  

When should you call a period irregular? 

You may consider you are having irregular periods if you are experiencing any or all of the following:

  • Variation in duration - Each period is of different duration, longer or shorter.
  • Variation in flow - No fixed pattern of flow. Flow varying between heavy, light, and very light with each period.
  • Bleeding on your non-period days.
  • Variation in pain - You experience severe pain on some of your period and mild pain on some.
  • Experiencing new changes - You have started experiencing new changes (premenstrual symptoms) with your periods which you otherwise did not experience earlier.

What are the symptoms of irregular periods?

  • Gap between one menstrual cycle to the next extending beyond 35 days
  • Missing 3 or more than 3 periods consecutively
  • Heavy bleeding with spotting or clots
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Backache 

What are the causes of irregular periods?

  • Hormonal imbalance 
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • Structural causes such as polyps, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc
  • Using contraceptive pills 
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Lifestyle changes – sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy food habits
  • Thyroid disorders 
  • Radioactive iodine therapy-induced

What is the treatment for irregular periods?

The treatment for irregular periods depends on the type of irregularity  and factors such as planning pregnancy. 

Treatment for absent or infrequent periods

  • Oral contraceptive pills
  • Cyclic progestin (a type of progesterone)
  • Treating the underlying cause

Treatment for heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding

  • Intrauterine hormone-releasing device insertion
  • NSAIDs
  • Medications containing progestin or tranexamic acid

Treatment for painful periods (dysmenorrhea)

  • Heat pad application to the abdomen
  • NSAIDs and pain relievers
  • Oral contraceptives

Treatment for structural causes

  • Surgical treatment which may include removal of uterine fibroids or polyps, uterine artery embolization, endometrial ablation, or hysterectomy.

When should you consider consulting a doctor for your irregular periods?

  • Three or more missed periods in the year
  • Frequent periods (periods at a gap of less than 21 days)
  • Unnaturally heavy bleeding during periods
  • Bleeding persists for longer than 7 days

A word of caution - Irregular periods are  a cause of concern  and it is important to consult your doctor if the symptoms are persistent and too severe to manage. 

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