What Doctor Should I See For Irregular Periods

Should I See A Doctor For Irregular Periods

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Whats A Normal Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. The average menstrual cycle is about 25-30 days, but it can be as short as 21 days or longer than 35 its different from person to person. The number of days in your cycle may also vary from month to month. When you get your period, its normal to bleed anywhere from 2 to 7 days.

The average person loses anywhere between 1-6 tablespoons of menstrual fluid during each period. It can be thin or clumpy, and varies in color from dark red to brown or pink. If your period is so heavy that you have to change maxi pads or super tampons every hour, call your doctor or your local Planned Parenthood health center.

Everyones body is different, so their periods are different too whats normal varies from person to person, and can change over your lifetime. Some birth control methods or health conditions may also affect your period.

What Can Cause Irregular Periods

There is a huge range of reasons why someone might not be experiencing a regular cycle, and its always a good idea to talk with your doctor if that happens. Lets break down a few common causes of irregular periods, according to the Mayo Clinic:

A few other factors that may contribute to menstrual irregularities:

• Birth control: People are sometimes put on birth control to regulate their cycles. Most people return to a regular monthly cycle within weeks or months after stopping birth control, but this can vary depending on your body and the type of birth control you were on .
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis occurs when tissue thats similar to the lining of the uterus starts to grow outside of the uterus. It often grows on the ovaries or fallopian tubes, and sometimes on other organs. Endometriosis can cause pain during and before menstruation, heavy periods, irregular bleeding, and painful intercourse.
• Hypo- and hyperthyroidism: Your thyroid helps control your menstrual cycle. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can make your periods very light, heavy, or irregular. Thyroid disease can also cause your periods to stop for several months or longer, a condition called amenorrhea, or may result in abnormal uterine bleeding.
• Stress: Experiencing stress can tell certain non-essential body systems to shut down. Its not uncommon to have changes to your menstrual cycle during stressful times.

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When You Visit Your Doctor

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

• Have you been experiencing high levels of stress?
• How much do you exercise?
• Have you ever had an eating disorder?
• Have you lost weight recently?
• Have you been intolerant of heat or cold.
• Have you had rapid heartbeats, dry skin, hair loss, constipation or diarrhea, or a change in weight ?
• Do you have abnormal body hair?
• Have you gained weight?
• Do you have regular menstrual cycles?
• Is your bleeding always heavy or prolonged?
• How old were you when you started menstruating?
• How long ago did you develop irregular periods?
• When you do have your period, is it accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal cramping, mood changes, and bloating?
• Are you sexually active?
• When was your last period?
• How many times have you been pregnant?
• What was the outcome of each pregnancy ?
• Have you ever had difficulty getting pregnant?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

• Heart rate, blood pressure, and weight
• Heart and lungs

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

• Blood tests for certain hormone levels
• 24-hour urine collection for free cortisol
• Pelvic ultrasound

Could Fibroids Be The Source Of Your Irregular Periods

Researchers estimate that 70-80% of all women develop fibroids. Some women do not experience symptoms at all. However, there are many who experience symptoms ranging from pelvic pain and pressure to pain during sex, back and leg pain, constipation, and yes, heavy menstrual bleeding and irregular periods. What is surprising, however, isnt the number of women who have fibroid symptomsits how many think the symptoms are normal and simply part of being a woman with a menstrual cycle.

While its true that women may experience health issues as they age, there is nothing normal about fibroids or the life-interrupting symptoms they cause. Rather than wait, it is important to question these symptoms and seek treatment from a doctor now. If fibroids are the cause of your irregular periods, you do not have to live with the symptoms. You have options.

For years, the standard method of fibroid removal was surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy and myomectomy. In some cases, they may still be the recommended treatment option. But in todays world of evolving technology, it is always wise to seek a second opinion.

At Fibroid Institute Texas, we are dedicated to treating fibroids and reducing fibroid symptoms using Uterine Fibroid Embolization , the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment. UFE is a non-invasive procedure that only takes about an hour and offers a quicker recovery time than surgery .

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What If My Period Is Irregular

Its really common to have irregular menstrual cycles at some point in your life especially when you first start getting your period.

Examples of irregular periods include:

• Missing a period altogether

• Heavier or lighter bleeding than usual

• Bleeding longer than usual

• Unpredictable timing of periods from month to month

Keeping track of your periods and symptoms on a menstrual cycle calendar or in an app is a good way to learn whats normal for your body, and help you know if anything changes.

Some peoples periods are irregular a lot. It may just be the way their body naturally works, or it can be caused by a health problem. If many of your periods are irregular, unpredictable, or abnormal, talk with a doctor to make sure everythings okay. They can also help you find a hormonal birth control method that may help make your period lighter and/or more regular.

Advantages Of The Ufe Procedure At Fibroid Institute Include:

• Procedure typically completed in under an hour
• In-office procedure instead of hospital stay
• Recovery time is 7-10 days
• Tiny wrist puncture, no need for vaginal access
• Avoid side effects of pharmaceutical hormone therapies
• All fibroids may be treated at the same time
• No incisions, which means no surgical scarring
• Over 90% of patients see dramatic improvement in symptoms

The UFE procedure restricts blood flow to the fibroids, causing the fibroids to shrink and die. When performed by the board-certified interventional radiologists who specialize in UFE at Fibroid Institute, many patients experience a high success rate with minimal discomfort.

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Why Do Some Menstrual Periods Become Irregular

There are many variables that can affect the length and timing of your menstrual cycle. Some are correctable, but others can signal significant medical issues.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome This metabolic and hormonal disorder occurs when the ovaries or adrenal glands overproduce the male hormones and the body has insulin resistance. Studies have shown that 87 percent of women with irregular menstrual cycles have PCOS.
• Thyroid or pituitary disorders Hypothyroidism , hyperthyroidism , and hyperprolactinemia can all affect menstrual regularity, says Dr. Lynn. One study found that 44 percent of study participants with irregular periods also had thyroid problems.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease An inflammation of the female reproductive system, PID is usually caused by sexually transmitted infections.

Conditions Causing Irregular Periods

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome : PCOS is a common condition in many women. Women with PCOS may have small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries. This can cause painful and excessive menstruation.
• Thyroid conditions: Thyroid disorders can alter your bodys hormonal balance, which can lead to irregular menstrual periods. A simple blood test may reveal abnormal levels of thyroid hormone.
• Birth control: Hormonal contraceptives, such as The Pill, can cause spotting between periods. Also, some women who use an intrauterine device for birth control may experience heavy or painful bleeding.
• Lifestyle: Lifestyle factors such as stress, extreme weight gain or loss, and excessive exercise can cause irregular periods.

There are many other conditions that can cause irregular periods. If youre experiencing heavy or irregular bleeding or periods that are too frequent or too far apart, let your womens health provider know. Treatments are available for irregular periods. Learn more below.

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Period Problems: What They Mean And When To See The Doctor

Painful Periods

The nicknames we give to the monthly shedding of the uterus lining reflect the troubles it brings, including spotting, heavy bleeding, and cramping. These symptoms can range from merely inconvenient to downright life-changing, depending on how frequent they are and how severe. So how do you know when to grin and bear it and when to see the doctor?

Conditions Related To Irregular Periods

Irregular periods can be caused by a variety of reasons, many of which involve hormonal changes. The two main hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle are oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones are affected by natural changes in your body during your lifetime which can cause irregular periods. These changes include puberty, menopause, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Periods start during puberty but it can take up to two years for oestrogen and progesterone levels to settle and ensure regular periods. Irregular periods are also common before menopause, with the amount of blood loss varying from one period to the next.

During pregnancy, menstruation stops although you may still experience some bleeding early in pregnancy. Most women do not have periods during the months they are breastfeeding.

Other reasons for irregular periods include:

• Being overweight
• Eating disorders that cause extreme weight gain or weight loss eg anorexia
• Performing endurance exercises eg marathon running
• The contraceptive pill or intrauterine system the contraceptive pill can cause spotting in between periods and an IUS can cause heavy bleeding during your period

Irregular periods could also be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as:

In rare cases, irregular periods may be a sign of cancer of the womb or the neck of the womb . These cancers can cause bleeding in between periods or during sex.

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Tips For Coping With Irregular Periods

Irregular periods tend to even out and become more consistent with time. Still, it can be stressful for pre-teens and teens not to know when their period will start.

Girls or their parents will sometimes ask about how to cure irregular periods in teenagers. The reality is its more about understanding and managing menstrual irregularities.

Here are some things that can help a girl cope:

• Learn the signs that their period will start soon. This can include cramping, spotting, bloating, tender or swollen breasts, mood changes, and acne.
• Keep period products readily available. Girls should have tampons or pads where they can get to them as needed at home, school, etc.
• Try menstrual underwear. These garments can be helpful for girls who arent sure when their period will start.
• Talk with women about their experiences. Most women have stories about the first few years after getting their first period. Hearing how they made it through what can be confusing and frustrating times can be very reassuring.

Should You Be Concerned If Your Period Is Irregular

A couple of irregular periods per year are usually nothing to worry about. Any more than that, and you should see a doctor to be sure an ovulation problem or health condition isnt the cause. If you are someone who’s not on contraceptives and not of age for perimenopause or menopause and your periods are irregular, you should alert your physician. For example, if you do have PCOS, an irregular cycle can increase your risk of uterine cancer, says Lynn.

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What Causes Abnormal Menstruation

There are many causes of abnormal periods, ranging from stress to more serious underlying medical conditions:

Other causes of abnormal menstruation include:

• Uterine cancer or cervical cancer.
• Medications, such as steroids or anticoagulant drugs .
• Medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, an under- or overactive thyroid gland, or pituitary disorders that affect hormonal balance.
• Complications associated with pregnancy, including miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy .

How Many People Have Irregular Periods

In a South Korean study published in PloS One in March 2019, over 14 percent of 4,709 adult women ages 19 to 54 reported having irregular menstruation. In another, occupational status was found to have an effect: Service, manual overnight shift and sales workers, and unemployed women had higher risks of developing irregular menstrual cycles.

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How To Track Periods

Keeping track of when periods occur can help people recognize any irregularity and spot patterns. For example, if someone starts birth control or experiences a stressful event, they may notice that this affects their period.

People can track periods in a diary, on a calendar, or with a period tracking app. Begin by marking the first day of a period, and continue marking the days when bleeding occurs. Within a few months, a person can tell if their periods are regular.

Some people also note down any symptoms, how light or heavy the bleeding was, and any factors that might have affected it. It can be useful to show this record to a doctor when speaking with them about irregular periods.

When To See The Doctor

You should see your doctor if you have unusual bleeding. This may include:

• Bleeding after sex, more than once
• Spotting or bleeding anytime in the menstrual cycle other than during your period
• Bleeding after menopause

Your doctor may start by checking for problems that are most common in your age group. Some of these are not serious and are easy to treat. Your doctor may prescribe hormonal birth control, such as a hormonal IUD, the pill, shot, or vaginal ring, to help control your menstrual cycle. Hormonal birth control is sometimes prescribed by doctors for womens health concerns other than preventing pregnancy. Other types of bleeding, such as any vaginal bleeding after menopause, can be more serious.

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Treatments For Irregular Periods

Depending on the cause of your irregular bleeding, your womens health provider may recommend lifestyle changes as a first step toward treatment. Losing weight , regular exercise, and stress reduction may improve your symptoms.

• Birth control pills: While hormonal contraceptives are thecause of abnormal bleeding in some women, they can help regulate menstrual periods in other women.
• Thyroid medications: If a thyroid disorder is the cause of your irregular period, then your physician may prescribe a hormonal therapy to restore healthy hormonal balance. Once this balance is restored, irregular periods should resolve.
• Endometrial ablation: This in-office procedure is sometimes used to treat irregular periods in women who experience excessive bleeding.

To learn more about the treatment options that may be available to you through Rocky Mountain Womens Health Center, please contact us.

What Is Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is defined as excessive menstrual bleeding. It occurs in one out of every five women. Your period is considered excessive if:

• Bleeding lasts longer than seven days.
• Bleeding affects your daily activities.
• Double protection is needed.
• Your tampon or pad needs to be changed more than every two hours.

During a heavy period, you may:

• Feel tired and nauseated
• Experience severe cramps

While heavy periods are normal for some women, there are also medical causes for menorrhagia. These include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Fibroids and polyps inside your uterus
• Bleeding disorders that impair blood clotting

Once the cause has been identified, there are many treatment options available. If you plan to have children, your doctor may recommend both hormonal and non-hormonal drug therapy to help reduce your heavy periods. If you do not plan to have children, there are several surgical options that can relieve or eliminate menorrhagia. Talk with your doctor to determine the treatment option that is best for you. In addition, lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, yoga, exercise, and acupuncture have been shown to reduce menstrual bleeding in some women.

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How I Diagnose Pcos

If there is concern for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome based a patientâs story of irregular periods and an experience of androgen excess , I evaluate serum androgen levels and perform an ultrasound to assess ovarian shape , regarding how many follicles are present.

Depending on the duration and severity of the menstrual irregularity, I may need to further evaluate the lining of the uterus for endometrial overgrowth , which is a precursor to endometrial cancer.

Because the causes of menstrual irregularity are varied, the history and physical exam guide my diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

When we have come to a diagnosis of PCOS, I then go through counseling regarding the potential impact of this diagnosis on uterine health, fertility, and future cardiometabolic health. I tailor our discussion to what is most important for the patient at the time of the visit, and continue education at follow up visits after treatments have begun.