There are many potential causes of an irregular menstruation cycle. Some of these are completely benign and others signify the need for treatment. Treatment may involve self-care measures such as reducing stress, eating healthfully and modulating exercise. Medical treatments could address hormonal irregularities which may be causing an irregular menstruation cycle.
The irregular menstruation cycle is defined against what is considered normal. Normal cycles for the first two years after first menstruation are defined as 21-45 days, and after that time, a normal cycle is 21-35 days. It is also normal for all women to have the occasional missed period or early or late period, and an irregular menstrual cycle is considered a consistent pattern of abnormally timed periods. A single missed period in all sexually active women shouldn’t be ignored because it may be due to pregnancy.
Generally, there is no treatment for irregular menstruation cycle for newly menstruating girls because cycles can fluctuate. Over the first two years, periods tend to regulate and come at a more regular time each month. They are usually no more than 35 days apart. Cycles become expectedly abnormal again during perimenopause, which may occur as early as the late 30s, and lasts until menopause.
It is challenging to determine treatments for an irregular menstruation cycle due to the large number of causal factors. Women who are routinely experiencing irregular periods may want to first take their concerns to a gynecologist. If there is no evidence of a medical cause, like hormonal imbalance, suspicion of eating disorders or possible sexually transmitted disease (STDs), preliminary steps toward treating the condition could be advice to reduce stress or change eating habits.
In some populations, such as in early and late adolescence, doctors may look for certain issues. Conditions like anorexia or bulimia may create an ongoing irregular menstrual cycle. Sexually transmitted diseases can also cause this issue. Competitive athletes in their teens may experience complete cessation of periods (amenorrhea) or irregularity. Treatment is dependent on cause. The competitive athlete doesn’t require treatment, but could reduce her activity if she wants her periods to resume, but these other issues require more medical intervention.
Sometimes hormonal imbalances play a role in the irregular menstruation cycle. These imbalances could be caused by too much or too little of hormones like estrogen, or too much testosterone, which women usually manufacture in very small amounts. Additional hormones that may regulate production of female and male hormones include thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can affect monthly cycles.
Supplementation of appropriate hormones may address these imbalances and create more regular cycles. Hormonal treatment may also be prescribed to regulate the perfectly normal cycle deviations that begin to occur in perimenopause. Typically hormone treatment is used to increase fertility, as birth control, or to reduce menopausal symptoms. Treatment isn’t usually necessary for irregular cycles unless they are causing other areas of concern.
