Irregular cycle
These 9 causes can throw your cycle off track
© Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock
An irregular cycle is not all that unusual. We reveal what affected women should know about it and what you can do about it.
What is an irregular cycle?
A normal menstrual cycle in women lasts between 26 and 32 days, and menstruation can last between two and seven days. If the cycle is shorter or longer, the cycle is irregular. In this case one speaks of a cycle or menstrual disorder. This can, for example, impair egg cell maturation or ovulation does not occur – pregnancy when you want to have children becomes so difficult. An irregular menstrual cycle is more common than you might think: Only very few women are really regular.
What causes an irregular cycle?
There is different possible triggers for an irregular cycle. These include:
- General hormonal imbalance: During puberty and menopause, many women experience a hormonal imbalance that disrupts the menstrual cycle.
- Chronic inflammation: Both the fallopian tubes and the ovary can become inflamed. In addition to an irregular menstrual cycle, symptoms such as severe abdominal pain and indigestion can occur.
- PCO syndrome: This is a collection of benign ovarian cysts. Apart from an irregular menstrual cycle, increased male hairiness and severe obesity indicate PCO syndrome.
- Psychological factors: Stress and permanent tension can disturb the complicated interaction of the hormones – and thus also the menstrual cycle.
- Competitive sport: Anyone who does a lot of sport and constantly pushes their body to its limits can disrupt the menstrual cycle. Also possible: the period is missed.
- miscarriages: Women who have recurrent miscarriages also often have irregular and infrequent menstrual periods, which can also cause labor-like pain.
- Prevention: When switching to hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, the cycle is also disrupted.
- Thyroid diseases: Both an overactive and an underactive thyroid can make menstrual cycles irregular.
- Anorexia: Anorexia can disrupt the menstrual cycle. Then there is no more bleeding – or just spotting instead of a period.
The general way of life can also cause menstrual disorders – for example a unbalanced diet or smoking. Incidentally, this can also result in very heavy menstrual bleeding.
When should I see a doctor about an irregular cycle?
If your cycle is irregular just once, it doesn’t have to be a cause for concern. However, you should see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- My cycle used to be regular and suddenly it isn’t anymore
- Menstrual periods are less frequent and cause severe pain
- Spotting occurs
- The menstrual cycle is conspicuous, and there is also male hair growth and weight gain
- The weight varies greatly
- Menstruation stops for no clear reason
- Abdominal pain occurs regularly throughout the menstrual cycle
Tips against the problem: What can I do myself?
Unless the irregular cycle is caused by your own lifestyle, Women can also try to treat the hormonal disorder themselves. These tips will help:
- Relax: If stress or mental imbalance is the cause of the symptoms, you should urgently try to relax. Yoga or autogenic training, for example, can help here.
- Change nourishment: A healthy and balanced diet with lots of fiber, low-fat meat and dairy products as well as fruit and vegetables supports all bodily processes – and thus also a regular menstrual cycle.
- Move easily: Nobody has to exercise every day. But light exercise, for example cycling or swimming for 30 minutes three times a week, not only makes you fit, but also supports the hormone balance.