Your menstrual cycle is an important indicator of your reproductive and overall health. While getting a period every 28-30 days signifies all’s well, an irregular menstrual cycle could be indicative of a hormonal imbalance. Additionally, dealing with unpredictable periods is a struggle in itself. After all, you never know when Aunt Flo decides to knock you down and ruin the day. That’s why we’re here to help you understand why your periods are irregular and talk about some home remedies for irregular periods. Read on.
Why Are Your Periods Irregular?
Before we discuss some very effective home remedies for irregular periods, let’s understand why your periods are out-of-order in the first place. Here are five possible reasons:
Stress
Stress is one of the most common reasons for irregular periods, thanks to a spike in the cortisol hormone every time you’re stressed out. Now, this hormone disturbs the progesterone-estrogen (hormones) balance in your body and throws your periods off track.
Poor Sleep Hygiene
Poor sleep quality or irregular sleeping patterns can lead to a surge in the cortisol (steroid hormone that your adrenal glands, the endocrine glands on top of your kidneys, produce and release) levels. It also leads to a decrease in leptin (a hormone that regulates appetite and energy balance in the body). It also delayed ovulation and thus, leads to irregular periods.
Weight Changes
Losing or gaining too much weight, following fad diets, and unhealthy eating habits can disturb the hormonal balance in the body. This in turn can lead to irregular periods.
Medications & Birth Control
Contraceptive devices and birth control pills can lead to heavier, lighter or irregular periods as they too disturb the hormonal harmony in your body. Additionally, certain medications like ibuprofen and aspirin can interfere with the estrogen-progesterone balance and lead to irregular periods.
Underlying Health Conditions
Underlying health conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorder, and endometriosis can also affect your overall hormonal balance and health. This can lead to irregular periods. Additionally, sometimes irregular periods could also be a result of a sexually transmitted infection. So, you must opt for proper diagnosis by a gynaecologist as well.
Home Remedies For Irregular Periods
Certain lifestyle changes and home remedies can help regulate your menstrual cycle. Here are eight of the most effective home remedies for irregular periods to the rescue:
Regular Exercise
Exercising at least thrice a week for 45 minutes can reduce your cortisol levels and boost hormonal and overall health. It can keep your weight in check and help you get regular periods in the long run. From slow walks, yoga to weight lifting, you can choose a workout of your choice and you’ll see the results in a few months fosho.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Major fluctuations in your weight can disturb your hormones and lead to irregular periods. So it is important to get to your healthy weight and maintain it by following a healthy, active lifestyle and eating a balanced diet.
Unripe Papaya
Unripe or raw papaya contains carotene–a chemical that helps stimulate estrogen (female sex hormone) in the body. This in turn can regulate your menstrual cycle and lead to regular periods. You can add it in your salads or consume raw papaya juice every morning for best results.
Ginger Tea
Ginger can spell magic when it comes to regulating your menstrual cycle. It contains gingerol that helps in lowering inflammation in the body and trigger contraction of uterine muscles. Consuming a cup of hot ginger tea is a great remedy if your periods are late (and you’re not pregnant, of course).
Jaggery
Swap your regular mithai for a piece of jaggery post your meals as it can kickstart your period in case you’re late. Additionally, it also helps relieve period cramps and boosts your overall health. But remember not to go overboard with this as excess consumption of jaggery can lead to a spike in your blood sugar levels.
Turmeric
There’s hardly any health issue that consuming this good-old Indian spice cannot solve. Turmeric has healing properties. Regular consumption of turmeric in the form of turmeric tea or the infamous “latte” can help regulate your periods and boost your immunity too. Win, win!
Aloe Vera Juice
Having fresh aloe vera juice on an empty stomach has a host of health benefits including bringing your menstrual cycle back on track. It boosts your metabolism, helps you maintain healthy weight, and restores hormonal balance in your body. Make it your morning ritual and thank us later.
Check For Nutritional Deficiencies
Taking blood tests regularly can help you identify nutritional deficiencies in your body. More often than not, a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or magnesium can cause irregular periods. Sun exposure early in the morning, and foods such as bananas, dairy products, and green leafy veggies can help you cover up for these deficiencies and lead to regular periods.
While these home remedies for irregular periods will help regulate your menstrual cycle, it is always advisable to get a thorough diagnosis done by your doc. Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy, and well, regular periods!
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