Irregular Period

Having irregular periods can mean a variation in the number of days you have your period or that your period arrives early, late or even skips a few months.

Actually, most women will experience irregular bleeding at some point in their life. A period showing up unexpected or delayed does not always mean something serious is going on. But your period showing up whenever it wants can be stressful. So here we're going to talk about some easy ways of how you can regulate your menstrual cycle.

4 common causes for irregular periods:

The average length of a Menstrual Cycle is around 28 - 35 days, and menstrual bleeding usually lasts between 3 - 7 days. Keep in mind that what is a normal or average period for one person, can be experienced completely different by another. So if your period suddenly varies from youraverage length and flow, it's a sign that your period is irregular.

Your period may show up earlier than expected, or not show up at all. Here are the 4 most common causes that can cause a delayed or early period thus causing an irregular menstrual cycle:

1. Medication

2. Stress and anxiety

3. Puberty or menopause

4. Hormonal birth control such as contraceptive pills or emergency contraception

Irregular Periods - What do they mean?

Often irregular or early periods don't mean anything serious. However, if you realize a sudden change in your menstrual cycle, it could be a symptom for another health issue such as:

1. Thyroid Disorder (over- or underactive thyroids can cause a hormonal imbalance which can suppress your ovulation)

2. Diabetes

3. STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)

4. Pregnancy (Irregular periods can sometimes be a sign of pregnancy. If you think you could be pregnant, see your doctor for a consult.)

5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS affects 5-10% of women, but less than 50% with the syndrome are diagnosed. This is why it's really important to see your doctor if you suspect that your irregular menstrual cycle could be linked to another issue.