Irregular Periods Discomfort

Yes, irregular periods ARE a pain. Glad we got that settled.

Really though, irregular periods –or deviations from a woman’s normal menstrual cycle – are often accompanied by intense pain and may be caused by a few different triggers.

Irregular Period Symptoms

A woman’s period is irregular when it doesn’t adhere to a cycle of roughly 28 days. Some women always have an irregular period and have come to expect its unreliability. Other women are alarmed when their period does not maintain its regular cycle. Irregular periods can be characterized by a few common irregular periods pain1 symptoms:

• Infrequent or too frequent periods
• Painful cramping
• Abnormal duration of bleeding (5 days is “normal”)
• Blood clots
• Changes in blood flow

Irregular Period Discomfort Causes

Women experience unexpected irregular periods discomfort for a number of reasons, including:

• Pregnancy
• Uterine abnormalities –cysts, fibroids, polyps, endometriosis
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Eating disorders
• Anemia
• Recent birth or miscarriage
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Medications
• Stress
• Significant weight change
• Breastfeeding
• Over-exercise

Of course, one of the most common causes of irregular periods is menopause –the ultimate cessation of menstruation. Women who believe that their irregular periods are caused by something other than menopause, should have these possibilities ruled out by a trusted physician.

Pain and Irregular Periods

Irregular periods, especially those found in menopausal women, are often accompanied by intense pain, often in the form of cramping. Pain is usually not something that is easy to ignore, and women who have severe abdominal pain, especially when not menstruating, should see their doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of this pain.

Discomfort accompanied by irregular periods could be a sign of:

• Endometriosis
This is a common reproductive disorder caused by an abnormal growth of the endometrial tissue (uterine lining) outside the uterus. Though not often dangerous to a woman’s health, it can seriously affect her fertility.

• Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow on the smooth layer of the uterine muscle. They are commonly found in women of their mid to late reproductive years.

Women who experience prolonged pain accompanied by irregular periods should discuss the possible sources of the pain and treatment options with their doctor.

Treatment Options for Irregular Periods Discomfort

Women have dozens of options for treating irregular periods discomfortwhether they are in their menopause years or not. These treatment options can be divided into three levels of intensity:

• Lifestyle changes
• Alternative medicine
• Prescription drugs

Please explore these treatment options and discuss them with your doctor to discover the most effective combination for you and your health.