For some people, having an irregular menstrual cycle can be scary. You may experience bloating, tender breasts, cramping, and other symptoms of PMS, but still don’t experience your period.
An irregular cycle can mean many things:
- Weight-related problems,
- Stress,
- Imbalanced hormone levels, etc.
Is my period cycle irregular?
A normal period usually lasts 21-35 days, with an average of 28 days. If your cycle does not happen around the 28th day, then your cycle may be late or early, which falls under the ‘irregular’ category.
An irregular period cycle is categorised into 3 types [1]:
- Amenorrhea is when you have missed more than 3 cycles.
- Oligomenorrhea is when your period cycle is more than 35 days apart.
- Menorrhagia is when your period lasts more than 1 week.
To find out if your period cycle is irregular, you need to count from the last day of your period and count until you reach the first day of your next cycle. Do this for a few months, and if you see significant differences, it means your cycle is irregular.
5 reasons why you have an irregular menstrual cycle
Irregular menstrual can mean many things. Even though some causes are typically harmless, an irregular menstrual cycle could also be a symptom of other illnesses. Here are some of the causes that explain your irregular menstrual cycle.
1. Stress
Stress is one of the common causes of an irregular menstrual cycle aside from pregnancy. However, stress does not play a part in the duration of your period [2]. Having a high-stress level can also cause hormonal imbalances that can cause your period to become irregular.
2. Weight loss or weight gain
Any change in body mass can actually affect your menstrual cycle. Usually, obesity or eating disorders are some of the common causes of significant change in body mass [3]. Aside from that, people who are obese have a higher risk of having infertility [4].
3. Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can cause an irregular menstrual cycle. This type of irregular cycle is also known as lactational amenorrhea or postpartum infertility. This usually lasts up to 6 months after giving birth. Your body is producing a hormone that prevents ovulation [5].
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a common hormonal syndrome among women of reproductive age. Usually, women who have PCOS have a longer period and an extra level of the male hormone called androgen. Some women started developing PCOS after they got their first period, and some women develop it later in life [6].
5. Other illnesses
An irregular menstrual cycle can be caused by other possible illnesses such as cancer. Some types of cancer such as thyroid or cervical cancer may have an irregular menstrual cycle as one of their symptoms.
Conclusion
Even though some causes of the irregular menstrual cycle can seem harmless, I would suggest you consult your doctor if it occurs frequently to see what causes them. This means that if there are any abnormalities, it can be treated as soon as possible before it gets worse.