Menstrual Irregularity Specialist

What is menstrual irregularity?

Menstrual irregularity refers to a menstrual cycle that’s not normal. Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period and ends on the first day of your next period. A normal menstrual cycle may run anywhere from 21 to 38 days with up to eight days of bleeding.

For some women, their menstrual cycle runs like clockwork, occurring around the same time every month with the same amount of bleeding. For other women, their menstrual cycle may fluctuate from month to month, and their bleeding may be light, heavy, or somewhere in-between.

Menstrual irregularity includes:

• A menstrual cycle that’s shorter than 21 days or longer than 38 days
• Bleeding that lasts longer than eight days
• Going three or more months without a period
• Changes in normal menstrual flow
• Bleeding in-between periods
• Severe pain during or after period (dysmenorrhea)

Though menstrual irregularity may occur at any time or age, it’s common when you first start menstruating and in the months and years leading up to menopause. 

What causes menstrual irregularity?

There are many conditions that may cause menstrual irregularity. Possible causes include:

• Stress
• Significant weight loss
• Change in diet or routine
• Birth control
• Fibroids
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Endometriosis
• Pregnancy
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
• Hormonal imbalance
• Gynecological cancer

Other health conditions like thyroid problems or medications like blood thinners may also cause menstrual irregularity. 

When should I seek help for menstrual irregularity?

You should schedule a consultation with the experts at Comprehensive OB/GYN Healthcare, PC, if your menstrual irregularity is a new problem, it’s affecting your ability to get pregnant, or it’s causing symptoms that disrupt your daily life.

During your consultation, the team asks detailed questions about your menstrual cycle and your gynecological and medical history. They perform a physical and pelvic exam and may run tests such as blood work or a Pap smear.

The team may also perform an on-site ultrasound to examine your reproductive organs and look for structural problems that might explain your menstrual irregularity. 

How is menstrual irregularity treated?

The team takes a holistic approach to health and may recommend lifestyle changes to improve your menstrual cycle, such as:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Finding healthy outlets to relieve stress
• Taking nutritional supplements

The team may also prescribe hormonal birth control to help regulate your menstrual cycle.

In some cases, the team may recommend surgery to fix the underlying gynecological condition causing your irregular menstrual cycle, such as surgery to remove fibroids. 

For help managing your menstrual irregularity, call Comprehensive OB/GYN Healthcare, PC, or book an appointment online today.