Abnormal period or irregular menstrual cycle

Most women will have anywhere between eleven and thirteen menstrual periods every year. This is considered normal. If you are you having fewer or more periods, which include some irregular or missed bleeding, you will find some useful information below. The following article will look at the abnormal period or irregular menstrual cycle.

First and foremost, you need to know that it is not uncommon for menstrual periods to be irregular in the first few years after it starts. In fact, it might take a few years for the hormones which control the menstruation cycle to reach a balance. On the other hand, menstrual periods might be very irregular at the ending of your menstruating years. For most women, the approach of menopause and perimenopause is known when their regular menstrual cycle becomes irregular.

If you have a missed period, you should look at the possibility of being pregnant as this is the main cause. You could use a pregnancy test at home to find out if you are pregnant. If you are not pregnant, your menstrual period will return to normal in the following month. Some of the other causes missed or abnormal period or irregular menstrual cycle include:

• Emotional stress.
• Eating disorders, including bulimia or anorexia.
• Excessive weight gain or loss. It is common for low body weight to cause irregular or missed periods, but obesity can cause you to have menstrual problems as well.
• Increased exercise. Many endurance athletes have problems with missed or irregular periods.
• Illness.
• Medicines, which include birth control methods. These could cause you to have less frequent, lighter, more frequent, missed periods or none at all.
• Excess traveling.
• Hormonal problems which cause changes in the levels of hormones that your body requires to support normal menstruation.
• Problems with your pelvic organs, which includes polycystic ovary syndrome, imperforate hymen or Asherman’s syndrome.
• Use of illegal drugs.
• Breast-feeding. Most women will have their regular periods before they complete breast-feeding.
• Premature ovarian failure happens when women stop having their menstrual periods before the age of forty. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause women to have premature ovarian failure.

Some other diseases that could cause irregular or missed periods include irritable bowel syndrome, liver disease, tuberculosis and diabetes. Bear in mind that if you have any of these diseases you will experience other symptoms aside from the menstrual irregularities.

If you are having problems with abnormal period or irregular menstrual cycle, you should try to relax and make changes that will help to restore your physical and emotional balance. Remember that you can still get pregnant if you are not menstruating. Be sure to keep check of your symptoms to determine when and if you should consult a doctor.