Irregular periods
‘I notice my periods being so irregular in a few months now.Is something wrong? ‘A common question amongst all teen girls
Menstrual cycles disorders can cause the periods to be absent or infrequent .Though few do not mind missing periods but its essential to consult your health care provider because they could be a signal underlying medical condition .
Many of us are not sure why do we get prolonged periods or why periods never arrive on time .This lack of regularity can lead to anxiety and lot of worries and make us more stressful.
Just by following a good life style and diet ,a female body can align to its natural cycle and can combat all the menstrual irregularities and keep the hormones balanced .
Ayurveda immensely provides us with knowledge that gives solution for balnce and health on women menstrual issues .Menstrual cycle is a blessing because it provides body a chance to eliminate the toxins and regenerate every month
Irregular periods reflect an underlying imbalance between tridoshas as ayurveda always suggests that our body ,mind and spirit and panchamahabhootas are intimately connected and all the ailments arise when there is a imbalance in them .By understanding the root cause and vitiated dosha ,one can easily avoid the menstrual irregularities .
To know what is irregular menstruation ,we should know about what a regular menstruation is .Isnt it ?
Most of female attend menarche (First periods ) around age of 10 -15 years which lasts until menopause (Cessation of periods ) around age of 45-50
Menstruation bleeding may happen when the endometrial layer of uterus sheds .It may happen once in every 28 days on an average .
After menarche it may take at least 1 year for the menstrual cycle to get regularized .Most females gets the cycle between 25 – 30 days but if the cycle prolongs even after 38 days ,then its called irregular periods .There may be signs of few missed cycles too or early periods too.
There are different types of irregular periods
Menorrhagia
An abnormal form of bleeding where the gap between the cycles is less than 21 days
· Metrorrhagia. Also called breakthrough bleeding, refers to bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals and with variable amounts. The bleeding occurs between periods or is unrelated to periods. Spotting or light bleeding between periods is common in girls just starting menstruation and sometimes during ovulation in young adult women.
· Menometrorrhagia. Refers to heavy and prolonged bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals. Menometrorrhagia combines features of menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. The bleeding can occur at the time of menstruation (like menorrhagia) or in between periods (like metrorrhagia), indicating irregular bleeding.
· Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB). A general term for abnormal uterine bleeding that usually refers to extra or excessive bleeding caused by hormonal problems, usually lack of ovulation (anovulation). DUB tends to occurs either when girls begin to menstruate or when women approach menopause, but it can occur at any time during a woman's reproductive life. This term is not often used by most gynecologists.
· Other types of abnormal uterine bleeding. Include bleeding after sex and bleeding after menopause. Postmenopausal bleeding is not normal and can be a sign of a serious condition.
Oligomennorrhoea
When the menstrual cycle goes beyond 35 days and are infrequent that’s called oligomennorrhoea
Ammenoorhoea
A complete absence of periods for more than three months at a stretch
· Primary amenorrhea. Occurs when a girl does not begin to menstruate by age 16. Girls who show no signs of sexual development (breast development and pubic hair) by age 13 should be evaluated by a doctor. Any girl who does not have her period by age 15 should be evaluated for primary amenorrhea.
· Secondary amenorrhea. Occurs when periods that were previously regular stop for at least 3 months.
Common symptoms may include
· Unpredicted duration and intervals between cycles ,inconsistent cycles
· Heavy or light bleeding
· Missed periods
· Excruciating pain or discomfort during periods
· Bloatedness,constipation
· Breast tenderness ,mood swings
· Emotional disturbances ,anxiety ,panic attacks ,depression
· Infertility
What can cause irregular periods according to ayurveda
As per ayurveda ,apana vata ,a sub dosha of vata governs the menstrual cycles .Its located in the lower abdomen and is responsible for the downward flow through the intestines ,urinary and reproductive tracts .An imbalance in this dosha can cause irregular periods
Hormonal changes
A high level of oestrogen causes a shorter cycle and heavy bleeding. On the other hand, a high level of progesterone causes longer cycle lighter periods
Poly cystic ovarian syndrome
It’s a common cuse of Irregular periods .When the ovulatin doesnot happen on time ,it affects the flow .In this you may experience Any of the symptoms like infrequent, less, heavy periods. It's characterized by baldness, weight gain, facial hair, and infertility, often associated with PCOS.
Stress, a possible cause of irregular menstrual cycles
Can disturb the periods widely .Stress can have an impact on the hormones produced by your hypothalamus that can regulate your cycle .
Obesity, a possible cause of irregular menstrual cycles
It can affect the insulin production and production of hormones that are responsible for regular periods
Hyperactivities
Like heavy exertion especially with low body weight can make the periods irregular .Cutting back the training and balancing the calories can regulate periods
Under nourishments
Nutritional deficiencies like deficiency of iron and vitamins can disturb the cycles
Thyroid disorders
Hypo or underactive thyroid can cause longer or heavier periods .You can also experience other symptoms like sensitivity to cold ,heat, fatigue and weight gain
While as in hyperthyroidism ,you may experience lighter periods You may also experience anxiety ,weight loss etc
Medical conditions
Like endometriosis ,Uterine fibroids ,Uterine polyps ,Pelvic inflammatory diseases ,Uterine cancer ,ectopic pregnancy may also lead to irregular cycles
Certain medications like
Long term usage of antidepressants ,anti inflamtory diseases ,thyroid medications ,birth control pills IUD devices ,and anti anxiety medications can lead to irregular periods
Nursing period
Production of Prolactin hormone during feeding can result less or no periods while you are breast feeding
Perimenopause
It’s a transition phase that happen before menopause
Changes in oestrogen level makes the periods longer or shorter eventually .You may also experience other symptoms like mood swings ,hot flushes .sleep disturbances ,mood changes and vaginal dryness
Ayurvedic approach for irregular periods
Ayurveda insists in following a regular diet and a healthy life style for regulating the menstrual cycles .
Different doshas are associated with different menstrual irregularities
In case of vata vitiated periods
· There would be irregular ,scanty ,painful,infrequent periods which attributes to the quality of vatas quality like cold ,dryness and rough properties which can cause constriction in flow resulting in scanty flow
· Your periods may be froathy ,dark ,associated with sharp pain in low back and abdomen .You may experience anxiety too
· Prefer to have dishes which are warm ,cooked with ghee ,sups ,cooked foods ,puddings ,flax seeds etc
· Choice of herbs like aswagandha ,sathavari and ginger which can help to tackle the pain
Pitta vitiated periods
· Characterized by excessive bleeding ,cramps ,sharp pain ,heat ,swelling and tender breasts ,hot and pungent smelling blood with
· Choose pittha calming diet like sweet ,bitter and astringent foods ,fresh fruits and vegetable ,barley ,rice ,milk, ghee
· Herbs like sathavari ,guduchi ,sankha pusphi ,gourd juices,fennel ,turmeric,coriander and brahmi
· Avoid hot ,spicy,salty ,oily and chillies
Kapha vitiated periods
· Characterized by prolonged ad heavy ,dull ,sticky periods
· You may feel bloated ,water retention and infections
· Prefer light ,warm and easy to digest foods ,cooked vegetables ,fibre rich foods ,fruits with high water content like waer melon ,musk melons
· Avoid heavy ,dense and oily foods ,nuts ,puddings ,cakes ,pastries ,red meat ,deep fried foods
· Healthy life style to be followed like
· Regular exercise
· Yogasanas
· Proper rest during periods
· Weight management
Some of the panchakarma therapies used in regulating periods
Abhyangam
It offers potential benefits for regulating the periods .It can be a supportive therapy to promote relaxation and improve circulation .This can reduce stress by reducing cortisol levels .This can promote detoxification by stimulating the lymphatic system .It can improve blood flow to regulate menstrual cycles
Virechana
Therapeutic purgation can induce a cleansing of digestive track and eliminate excess pittha and toxins .Pittha being hot ,can cause heavy bleeding ,inflammation and hormonal irregularities and by undergoing virechana ,it can reduce all heat related issues
Some of the stand alone herbal therapy to regulate periods
Ayurveda gives us a wide array of greens and natural remedies for regulating menstrual cycles
Sathavari
Sathavari can be used in various irregularities like
To balance the hormones ,reducing the menstrual pain being anti inflammatory and anti spasmodic and it can mitigate pre menstrual syndrome symptoms like bloating ,mood swings and fatigue etc
Asoka, a home remedy for irregular menstrual cycles
Popularly known as queen of herbs ,the term indiacates –remover of all sorrows .All parts of asoka including bark ,flowers are used in treating different types of menstrual disorders like polymenorrhagia ,DUB ,menopausal syndrome etc
Yasti/licorice, a home remedy for irregular periods
Its a very effective drug in regulating menstrual disorders like heavy bleeding
Hingu /Asafoetida
It regularizes the periods and can regulate the menstrual cycles by stimulating the production of progesterone that increases the flow of blood to the uterus
Guduchi /Amrutha
Being tridoshic in nature ,it can regulate any kind of menstrual abnormalities with its anti inflammatory properties
Sathahva /dhill seeds
Seeds with sesame oil can help in regulating periods
Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds along with jaggery can help to regulate periods to balance the reproductive hormones
Fennel seeds
Few fennel seeds with soaked in water – taken in empty stomach can help to relieve menstrual pain
Kumari/Aloe
Taking gel of Aloe vera in empty stomach, a home remedy for irregular menstrual cycles can help in alleviating menstrual cramps
Papaya
Papaya contains carotene which supports oestrogen which helps uterus to contract
Pine apples
Pine apples contain bromelain which may help blood flow and generation of red and white blod cells
Kanchanara
Most of the medicines used in regulating the menstrual cycles includes kanchanara in it
Lodhra
A traditional medicine that can help in support womens reproductive health and to reduce excessive bleeding due to its astringent and its anti inflammatory properties
Aswagandha
Being adaptogenic , aswagandha can help to influence menstrual cycles and manage irregularities
Haridra/turmeric
Owing to its antiinflamatory ,anti bacterial properties ,it can help in correcting irregular menstruation
Punarnava
Being anti inflammatory ,it can contribute to manage menstrual discomforts like cramps and bloating
Ginger /sunti
Being anti inflammatory and anti bacterial can help in regulating menstrual irregularities
Cinnamon /twak
Shows promising results in case of PCOD
Lajjalu /Mimosa pudica /touchme not
Helps in controlling heavy bleeding in cases of Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Cumin/jeeraka
Packed with lot of health benefits jeera can immediately cure cramps in primary ammenorrhoea and can even help in dysmennorhoea
Ajwain seeds
A simple herb but deals with range of muscular and abdominal cramps in menstrual irregularities
Jaggery
Known for its vata alleviating property ,it goes along with methi and ajwain ,making a perfect combination for reducing cramps onn periods
Horsegram /kulatha
Helps out in correcting the delayed periods
Sandalwood /chandana
Decoction made with its bark can help in treating irregular periods
Hibiscus /japa, a home remedy for irregular periods
A wonderful herb in correcting the irregular periods .Best way is to fry the flower in ghee and take it on a regular basis
Rose petals /satha patri
A combination of honey and dreid rose petals helps in reducing the flow of the heavy periods
Coconut inflorescence
A combination of coconut inflorescence boiled with milk can help in arresting the heavy bleeding, a home remedy for irregular menstrual bleeding
How can I stop my irregular period?
There are many ways to regulate your periods like managing stress,reducing weight and following a diet restriction and changing the life style
Can irregular periods become normal?
Yes, it can be a cause of irregular periods. be regularised
Will irregular periods go away?
Yes it can by following a strict diet ad following a life style regime
Is irregular periods normal?
No its absolutely not normal to have irregular periods
How long is it normal to have irregular periods?
Its normal to have irregular periods in initial periods of menarche for 1 year atleast
What do doctors do for irregular periods?
They may advise you on diet and life style changes along with internal modifying medications
Can a healthy diet cure irregular periods?
Yes it can
Can exercises cure irregular periods?
Yes it can
Can home remedies help regulate your period?
Yes it can in initial stages
Can you get pregnant with irregular periods?
Irregular periods may make it harder to analyse the ovulation periods but still you can get pregnant with irregular periods
Do irregular periods mean infertility, and can a woman get pregnant?
No its not the same always
How To Get Pregnant Faster?
By keeping your periods clear
How are irregular periods diagnosed?
Medical history ,pelvic examination ,blood investigations and usg abdomen can reveal irregular periods
How can I lower my risk of having an irregular period?
By following a diet ,reducing stress and by regular exercise you can reduce the risk
How do irregular periods affect pregnancy?
It's difficult to find the ovulation period by irregular periods thus resulting in infertility, often seen in cases of PCOS.
How to know if you have irregular periods?
By calculating the number of days between periods ,it may delay or it may be frequent and also depends on the investigation like blood works and pelvic examination for any pathology
What Causes Irregular Periods After Marriage?
Pregnancy ,stess,weight changes ,birth control pills etc
What are examples of irregular periods?
Like ammenorrhoea ,oligo menorrhea ,menorrhagia ,poly mennorhoea etc
What causes menstrual cycles to change?
Pregnancy ,hormonal contraception ,eating habits ,sedentary habits ,stress etc
What causes two periods in one month?
Perimenopause ,hormonal variation ,heavy exertion ,too much pitta
What is the reason for irregular periods before marriage?
Thyroid, stress, sedentary lifestyle, eating disorder, hormonal issues, obesity are possible causes of irregular periods
When are irregular periods more common?
Initial stages of menarche and during perimenopause
Which are the asanas that one must do to treat irregular periods naturally?
Asana like dhanurasana ,bhujangasana ,ustrasana ,pranayama can help
When should you see your healthcare provider about irregular periods?
When your cycles become too late or too frequent
When you are bleeding heavy or too scanty
When you have excruciating pain during periods