Irregular Periods

Irregular periods refer to menstrual cycles that vary significantly in length, flow, or timing from month to month. While some variation is normal, especially during puberty or perimenopause, frequent or pronounced irregularities may signal an underlying issue.

What Counts as Irregular?

• The time between periods changes each cycle.
• The number of days a period lasts varies widely.
• The amount of menstrual bleeding is much heavier or lighter than usual.
• The cycle length is less than 21 days or more than 35 days, or varies by more than 7–9 days between cycles.

Common Causes

• Hormonal changes - Puberty, perimenopause, or hormonal fluctuations can disrupt the menstrual cycle.
• Pregnancy - A missed period is often an early sign of pregnancy.
• Contraception - Starting, stopping, or changing hormonal birth control (pills, injections, implants, IUDs) can affect cycle regularity.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - A common cause of irregular, often heavy, periods due to hormonal imbalance.
• Thyroid disorders - Both overactive and underactive thyroid glands can cause irregular cycles.
• Stress and lifestyle - High stress, rapid weight loss or gain, excessive exercise, or eating disorders can all disrupt periods.
• Medical conditions - Uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, bleeding disorders, or scarring inside the uterus (Asherman’s syndrome)
• Medications - Certain drugs, including some used for mental health, epilepsy, or cancer, may affect menstruation.
• Others - Approaching menopause, breastfeeding, and chronic illnesses can also play a role.

When to Seek Medical Advice

• Periods suddenly become irregular after being regular.
• Periods are very heavy, very light, or last longer than 7–8 days.
• You miss periods for three cycles or more and are not pregnant.
• You have other symptoms such as severe pain, bleeding between periods, or signs of hormonal imbalance (excess hair, acne).

What to Do

• Keep a menstrual diary or use an app to track your cycles and symptoms.
• Consult a healthcare provider for evaluation, especially if irregularity is persistent, severe, or associated with other symptoms.
• Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include lifestyle changes, medication, or management of any identified medical conditions.

Irregular periods are common and often not a sign of a serious problem, but persistent changes should always be evaluated to rule out underlying health issues.