Although irregular periods are something that is happening
quite often, this doesn’t mean that they should not be taken seriously. It is
very important to find out what is the background of such cycles and what is
the message that your body is trying to deliver. Every woman will face an
irregular menstruation at some point in her life and although in most cases
these irregularities are not dangerous it is very important to understand what
causes these problems. The following is the list of most common causes of
irregular periods.
1. Stress
Stress is one of the most common
causes of irregular menstruation and something that modern women have to deal
with every day. The stress hormone cortisol affects the production of estrogen
and progesterone (sex hormones) in our body. In case you have too much cortisol
in the body, your period may be irregular. So, try to avoid stressful
situations and follow some relaxing techniques.
2. Pregnancy
The woman’s body during pregnancy
produces different levels of hormones that cause cessation of the periods.
However, in some cases, women experience less bleeding or delayed menstruation
before the cessation caused by pregnancy. It is really important to make a
difference between these two situations.
3. Exercising
It it is good to point out that
the body needs energy during menstruation. If you are spending too much energy
in the gym or on home exercises, your body will be left without energy for the
days of the month when you are experiencing the effects of menstruation. This
doesn’t mean that you have to stop with physical activity during these days,
but make sure to decrease the intensity.
4. Nutrition
The food you consume can also be
the cause of absence or irregularities of periods, just like overall weight. If
you are consuming too much unhealthy carbs or you have gained significant
amount of weight in a short period of time, your body will start to produce
different levels of certain hormones which will again start to change when you
ovulate. The same goes for the women who lose rapid amounts of weight.
5. Polycystic
ovary syndrome
Although this syndrome is not
uncommon, in some women this syndrome causes the formation of cysts on the
ovaries and interferes with the normal process of ovulation. Other symptoms of this
syndrome are weight gain, infertility and excessive hairiness.
6. Birth
control pills
The body sometimes need up to
several months in order to become accustomed to the level of hormones produced
by the body after taking birth control pills. This is the period when women can expect
irregular periods.
7. Alcohol
abuse
The liver regulates the menstrual
cycle by metabolizing estrogen and progesterone production. Too much alcohol
can cause serious liver damage and interfere the process of metabolizing of the
previously mentioned hormones.
8. Taking
other drugs
If you have recently been ill and
you are taking prescribed medications, menstruation can also be a little bit
late.
Depending on the cause of
irregular periods, your doctor may offer several solutions.
