Irregular Menstrual Cycles
The average menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days; however, this varies a lot from one woman to
another and even from cycle to cycle. Depending on your hormone levels, you may get your
period anywhere between every 20 days and every 35 days (or even more (in)frequently).
Irregular menstrual cycles or irregular periods are not necessarily due to fertility problems, and
are not unusual. 30% of women experience irregular menstrual cycles at some point during their
reproductive lives. Many women may also experience irregular bleeding patterns in the form of
a missed period, continuous periods or periods that occur twice in one menstrual cycle.
What are the causes of an irregular menstrual cycle?
Irregular menstrual cycles are often caused by hormones not being as regulated as they should
be. Menstrual cycles and periods are controlled by several hormones - such as progesterone,
estrogens, FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinising Hormone) and GnRH
(Gonadotropin Releasing Hormones) - which are coordinated to trigger ovulation and
menstruation. Irregular cycles usually the result of these hormonal signals becoming
unbalanced.
Hormones can become unbalanced by many factors:
Stress: stress is a common cause of irregular periods. Fatigue and anxiety can often
cause fertility hormones to become deregulated.
Diet: extreme weight loss or weight gain can also cause irregular menstrual cycles or
periods by affecting hormone levels. Women with anorexia often have irregular
menstrual cycles.
Excessive exercise: intense exercise is another cause of irregular menstrual cycles, as it
can cause hormonal imbalance.
Menopause: irregular menstrual cycles can be a signal that menopause is approaching.
Hormonal birth control: when you stop using the contraceptive pill, your body needs
time to readjust, and it is quite common to experience irregular menstrual cycles for a
few months.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: some sexually transmitted diseases or STDs can also
cause irregular menstrual cycles.
Other medical causes of irregular menstrual cycles
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition affecting
about 10% of all women. It is when cysts appear on the ovaries and interfere with
regular ovulation.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: inflammatory bowel disease is an inflammation of the
lower intestines or bowel and is linked to irregular menstrual cycles.
Treating irregular menstrual cycles:
If you have been experiencing irregular menstrual cycles or irregular periods for a short time
(under six months), it is likely that your cycles will adjust themselves. If you are experiencing
irregular menstrual cycles due to a medical condition, treatment for the condition should
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help you to start ovulating regularly again. Certain hormonal supplements can help you in
certain cases. Do not hesitate to ask your healthcare professional for more information if you
are experiencing irregular menstrual cycles. If you are experiencing irregular menstrual cycles,
DuoFertility will help you to identify your fertile days with an extremely high level of accuracy,
as it also takes into account other ovulation signs and fertility clues. These are important for the
identification of your fertile days, and for increasing your chances of conceiving.