Experiencing irregular periods is quite common in a lot of women, and it is certainly nothing to worry about before you know more about why it is occurring (i.e. The cause) and what else is going on with your body.
A period usually occurs every 24 to 29 days although cycles between 23 to 35 days are also regular. A woman may only get her period once or four times a year or they may only occur two to three times a month which consists of light spotting or an extremely heavy flow. Any of these could be normal for an individual woman. An irregular period is only defined as something that is irregular for you.
There are a variety of factors that could cause a woman to experience irregular periods. Some of these reasons could be significant sudden weight loss or gain, over-exercise, poor nutrition, eating disorders, excessive smoking, drug use, caffeine or alcohol consumption, increased stress, certain medications, chemotherapy treatment, breast feeding or recent childbirth. There are also some medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or oestrogen dominance, Uterine Abnormalities such as fibroids, cysts, polyps or endometriosis or a hormonal imbalance that is related to perimenopause.
If you are not on any medication that could cause your periods to become irregular and you do not fall into any of the other categories above, then it is most likely stress that is causing your periods to stop. When we are under stress, no matter what the cause is, our body’s adrenal glands are designed to release the hormone cortisol. This has a direct impact on women’s sex hormones: Oestrogen, progesterone and DHE which results in a hormonal imbalance which can cause a woman’s periods to become irregular. This side effect will usually go away when the source of stress is removed.
If your periods don’t return to normal or if you become more worried (which can cause more irregularities) then see your Doctor as soon as you can, as they will be able to put your mind at ease.
A period usually occurs every 24 to 29 days although cycles between 23 to 35 days are also regular. A woman may only get her period once or four times a year or they may only occur two to three times a month which consists of light spotting or an extremely heavy flow. Any of these could be normal for an individual woman. An irregular period is only defined as something that is irregular for you.
There are a variety of factors that could cause a woman to experience irregular periods. Some of these reasons could be significant sudden weight loss or gain, over-exercise, poor nutrition, eating disorders, excessive smoking, drug use, caffeine or alcohol consumption, increased stress, certain medications, chemotherapy treatment, breast feeding or recent childbirth. There are also some medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or oestrogen dominance, Uterine Abnormalities such as fibroids, cysts, polyps or endometriosis or a hormonal imbalance that is related to perimenopause.
If you are not on any medication that could cause your periods to become irregular and you do not fall into any of the other categories above, then it is most likely stress that is causing your periods to stop. When we are under stress, no matter what the cause is, our body’s adrenal glands are designed to release the hormone cortisol. This has a direct impact on women’s sex hormones: Oestrogen, progesterone and DHE which results in a hormonal imbalance which can cause a woman’s periods to become irregular. This side effect will usually go away when the source of stress is removed.
If your periods don’t return to normal or if you become more worried (which can cause more irregularities) then see your Doctor as soon as you can, as they will be able to put your mind at ease.
