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 for the best and most effective period remedies you should try the next time you experience irregular menstruation!
Why Are Your Periods Irregular?
Before we discuss some very effective delayed periods home remedies, let’s understand why your periods are out-of-order in the first place. Here are five possible reasons:
Stress
Before you stress out wondering how to solve irregular periods, we want to tell you that stress is no solution. 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. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with irregular periods home remedies for you!
Hormone changes
Late period home remedies? Before we answer this for you, we’d like to mention another reason behind your irregular periods and that is hormone changes. Excess of hormones Estrogen or Progestin which regulate the uterus lining may cause heavy bleeding. The chances of hormonal imbalance occur most frequently in people who have recently started menstruating or those who are approaching menopause.
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
One of the most effective tips for irregular periods is 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.
Practice yoga
If you’re wondering how to get regular periods naturally for teenagers, we’ve got a small tip for you. Yoga is an effective way to treat different menstrual issues. Studies say it can give improved physical function, less body pain, and fewer cramps. In polycystic ovarian syndrome, women gain unnecessary weight which causes a hormonal imbalance. Doing yoga can treat this effectively. It also reduces menstrual pain and emotional symptoms related to menstruation such as anxiety and improves the quality of life in women. In short, practising yoga for 30-40 minutes 5 times a week may regulate hormone levels and menstrual cycle.
Drink apple cider vinegar daily
Research says, that drinking 15 ml of apple cider vinegar daily regularises your periods and hormones in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Because of its bitter taste, not many people would want to drink it. So if you too have a hard time drinking it, you can dilute it with water and add 1 tablespoon of honey to it. This is one of the most popular and effective late-period home remedies.
Add some cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great home remedy for irregular periods that regulates blood flow to the uterus and treats irregular periods. Not only this, but it also reduces menstrual pain, nausea and vomiting during periods. For effective and best results, you can add cinnamon to your glass of milk and consume it.
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. A lot of people follow this home remedy for irregular periods as it is very effective!
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 period 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” is a great period remedy that 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!
When to see a doctor
Irregular periods home remedies are great and useful too. But you should still go to your gynaecologist for a regular checkup. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should surely make an appointment:
- Severe pain
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Nipple discharge
- Unusual hair growth and new acne
- Abnormal vaginal odour or discharge
- Fever
- If your periods consistently last longer than a week
- Implantation Bleeding or spotting between periods, after sex, after menopause or while pregnant.
- If there is a need for you to change your period product every hour for several hours in a row.
Your doctor might also recommend some treatment or medication depending on the cause of your irregular periods. Some possible causes include:
- Breastfeeding
- Puberty
- Menopause
- Birth control
- Thyroid issues
- Stress
- Eating disorders
- PCOS
FAQs
It can take approximately 6 years for your period to become predictable after the start of your menstruation. However, if it is an underlying condition that’s causing your irregular periods, you should resolve the cause of it first.
No. Irregular periods do not necessarily mean infertility. Depending on the underlying cause for your irregularity, there may or may not be any effect on your pregnancy ability. If you are trying to get pregnant, you should talk to your doctor. The doctor can help you pinpoint your health issues and recommend the next steps.
Yes, it is absolutely possible to get pregnant with irregular periods. Though it may be more difficult to track ovulation and spot a missed period, some tools and trackers may be of great help. If you’re concerned about an underlying cause that might be responsible for your irregular periods and affecting fertility, you should talk to your doctor.
Yes, a healthy diet can help regulate hormones and promote a healthy menstrual cycle. Make sure to eat meals with all the essential nutrients like red meat, dry fruits and green vegetables.
Fruits like Pineapple and Unripe Papaya are the best known for getting a regular period cycle.
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