Irregular Menstruation Specialist

What causes irregular menstruation?

Many factors can contribute to you not having regular periods, including everything from stress to pregnancy. Other common causes of irregular menstruation include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Perimenopause
• Breastfeeding
• Birth-control methods that contain hormones
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid problems
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Eating disorders or extreme weight loss
• Obesity
• Cervical cancer
• Pelvic inflammatory disease

Additionally, certain medications and illnesses can lead to abnormal menstruation. If you’ve had problems with your period for more than a month or two, it’s best to consult your physician to determine if there’s a serious health concern that needs treatment.

When should I seek medical attention for irregular menstruation?

You know your body best, but some guidelines to follow if you notice a change or an irregular pattern in your menstruation schedule, include:

• Periods that regularly last more than seven days
• Severe cramping, nausea, or vomiting during your period
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Missing three or more periods in a row
• Noticeably heavier or lighter periods than usual

Sometimes, irregular periods can be attributed to PCOS, a condition that affects up to 10% of women who are of reproductive age.

What is PCOS and how does it relate to irregular periods?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects your hormone levels. If you have PCOS, you produce higher amounts of male hormones than is normal for a woman, which can make it harder for you to get pregnant. PCOS can also lead to excess facial and body hair as well as baldness, and become a contributing factor in other health complications like diabetes and heart disease.

When PCOS affects your ovaries, you can develop cysts that fail to release an egg every month, so you’re not easily able to get pregnant.

How do you treat irregular menstruation?

The team at Mott Women Healthcare first determines the cause of your irregular periods so they can prescribe an effective treatment plan. Because potential causes of irregular menstruation are many, the treatments vary as well. Your doctor takes an individualized approach to treating your symptoms, taking into consideration your overall health and lifestyle, as well as any underlying medical concerns.

If you suffer from painful symptoms or long, heavy periods, or you don’t get your period on a monthly basis, call the office or request an appointment online to learn about effective treatments.