Irregular Periods in Women
Irregular Periods in Women

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Irregular Periods in Women

Irregular Periods in Women

During perimenopause and menopause itself women can suffer from irregular periods as their bodies undergo significant changes. Most women are likely to suffer menstrual irregularities at some point and they can become a real burden if not dealt with correctly. In order to spot the symptoms of irregular periods in women and know how to deal with these successfully, it’s worth taking the time to read the article below.

What are irregular periods?

In women, any irregular aspects of the menstrual cycle can be categorized as irregular periods. Although menstruation is different for all women, irregular periods are usually identified by changes in the pattern of menstrual bleeding, as this is easily noticeable.

irregular periods womanTypically, every woman has her own period pattern and she knows (approximately) the time each month when her period should start. Women are considered regular if their periods occur at roughly the same date each month. However, with age, the frequency of periods can fluctuate, leaving women confused about when their next period will be. This is irregular periods for women and it can be very upsetting.

Common symptoms of irregular periods in women

The most frequent menstrual irregularity symptoms include:

irregular periods signs• Longer or shorter periods
• Painful cramping
• Abnormal duration of bleeding
• Blood clots
• Heavier or lighter blood flow
• Breast tenderness
• Fluid retention
• Headaches
• Early or late periods
• Missed periods

Keep reading to learn about the triggers of women’s irregular periods.

What causes irregular periods in women?

Women’s irregular periods can be caused by various factors such stress, doing too much, fatigue and diet, among other things. However, menopause is the most common trigger of irregular periods in woman due to the fact that it prompts hormonal imbalance and this is the primary cause of a woman’s irregular periods.

In females, estrogen and progesterone are responsible for controlling the menstrual cycle and when they become imbalanced it can result in irregular periods in women. It’s possible that leading up to menopause a woman will produce too much estrogen or progesterone and this puts hormones out of sync. Irregular periods are just one of the many symptoms that can result from this menopausal hormonal imbalance.

Read on to learn about unusual symptoms that may necessitate a visit to your doctor.

Symptoms that require medical attention

In women irregular periods mean different things but if any of the following symptoms occur, it’s recommended that you consult a doctor immediately:

• Spotting or bleeding in between periods
• Spotting or bleeding after sex
• Periods that occur more than every three weeks
• Excessive bleeding
• Flooding

Other Related Articles:
Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual Disorder and Acupuncture
Menstrual Cycle Problems and Regulation
Long Menstrual Cycles
Irregular periods for years

Sources:
  • Hutchinson, Susan M.D. "The Stages of a Woman's Life: Menstruation, Pregnancy, Nursing, Perimenopause, Menopause." November 2007.
  • Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
  • BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.