Irregular Periods: symptoms, blood tests your doctor prescribe and more

Menstrual cycles are often uncomfortable and slightly painful. But if these cycles become abnormal they can even lead to stress. Periods are said to be irregular when the time between successive periods change, or you have much heavier or lighter blood flow or your periods last for varying number of days. In this article, have a look at what are the symptoms of irregular periods, steps that you should take in case of abnormality, and what are the blood tests that your doctor might prescribe you.

What are the symptoms of irregular periods?

Abnormal or irregular menstruation simply refers to the untimely menstrual cycle. The symptoms that indicate irregular periods include:

• Occurrence of periods in less than 21 days
• Occurrence of periods after more than 35 days
• Missing 3 to 4 periods in a row
• Much heavier menstrual flow
• Periods lasting for more than 7 days
• Cramping, pain, vomiting, or nausea during the periods
• Bleeding or spotting in between periods or after menopause or sexual intercourse.

What to do for Late Periods?

If you observe irregularity in your periods, you must definitely consult a doctor. Based on the underlying reason for your late periods, your doctor will suggest appropriate treatment. The medical treatment that your doctor can advise you include:

Hormone therapy: 

In case hormonal imbalance is the reason for irregularity in your periods, your doctor might suggest hormone therapy. This may include medicines or injections that will balance the hormone levels in your body facilitating the occurrence of periods on time.

Medicines

If the irregularity in your periods is due to an underlying disease like PCOD or hyperthyroidism, then medicines for their treatment can help you get regular periods.

Surgery

In severe cases, surgery may also be advised by your doctor, if the issues related to the uterus and the fallopian tube are leading to irregularity in your periods.

You can also try some of the natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can help you normalise your periods. The natural home remedies that you can surely give a try include:

Exercise and Yoga

According to a research study, doing yoga daily can help lower the levels of the hormones that are related to irregular menstruation. Yoga also reduces menstrual pain and other symptoms related to menstruation, thereby, improving the quality of life. Research studies have also shown that regular exercise of any kind can effectively reduce the intensity and duration of the pain related to menstrual irregularity.

Maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining an appropriate weight is very important to beat the majority of the symptoms of periods. Being overweight or underweight can contribute significantly to irregular periods. Therefore, aim at maintaining an appropriate weight.

Diet Modifications

• Ginger: Try including ginger in your diet. Ginger is a home-based remedy that can relieve various symptoms of irregular periods including a lower amount of blood loss during menstruation, relieves behavioural symptoms, and is effective in reducing menstrual pains as well.
• Cinnamon: According to research, incorporating cinnamon in your daily diet can regulate menstrual cycles in women with PCOS as well. It also reduces pain and other symptoms like nausea, bleeding, and vomiting.
• Vitamins: Low levels of vitamin D can also be a cause of irregular periods. Vitamin B can also help in the regulation of your periods and relieve premenstrual symptoms. Therefore, you must also include vitamin B and D supplements and food items in your diet.
• Apple cider vinegar: According to research, drinking apple cider vinegar can restore ovulatory menstruation in women.  
• Pineapples: Pineapples should also be included in your diet. They contain bromelain that softens the uterine lining and also regulates your periods. It also has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can alleviate menstrual cramps.

Blood Tests for Late Periods

When you consult your doctor for irregular periods, they might recommend certain blood tests to know the exact cause of irregularity. The blood tests include testing the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, cortisol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and DHEA. The fluctuations in the levels of these hormones can lead to irregular periods.

Apart from the blood test, your doctor might also recommend a pregnancy test, 24-hour urine test (for detecting the level of free cortisol), pap smear, and pelvic ultrasound to you. 

Takeaway

Irregular periods are really common in today’s world. You can get back to your normal menstrual cycle with the help of your doctor and some lifestyle changes. Now that you know the measures that can improve the regularity of your menstrual cycle, try including them in your daily life and consult your doctor at the right time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How much delay in periods is considered normal?

On an average, the gap between two successive periods can be 24 to 38 days long. The periods are considered to be late if they occur more than 38 days after the previous one.

• How can I get my blood tests for abnormal periods done?

You can easily get your blood tests for period irregularity done from Redcliffe labs. You can book your test by either calling our help centre or by booking it online through our official website. You are not required to visit the laboratory for sample collection, we will send our well-trained phlebotomist absolutely free of cost to collect your blood sample.

• What can be the causes for missing periods?

One of the major reasons for missing periods is getting pregnant. Apart from pregnancy, other factors that can contribute to period irregularity include side effects of certain medicines, hormonal imbalance, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, benign growth, anovulation, or adenomyosis.