From ruining date nights to wrecking plans, the consequences of irregular periods can be quite annoying to deal with. Even from a health point of view, an out-of-order menstrual cycle could indicate an underlying issue. If you’re someone who has been experiencing irregular periods for a while now, you need to read this article stat. Scroll down to know everything about this period issue:
What Are Irregular Periods?
Our menstrual cycle is a big indicator of our fertility and overall health. So if you notice any discrepancies in its duration and timing, you must take it seriously. For the unversed, the average duration of a menstrual cycle runs from 21 to 35 days. However, if this interval lasts for over 35 days, and varies from month to month, then you’re very likely to be experiencing irregular periods.
Why Are Your Periods Irregular?
It’s quite common to throw yourself into panic mode if your periods have been irregular for a while. But before you get more stressed trying to figure out the reason, check for these five possible triggers that can throw your menstrual cycle off track:
Weight Changes
Sudden or drastic weight changes, following fad diets, and unhealthy eating habits can disturb the hormonal balance in the body. This in turn can throw the body into “shock” mode and lead to irregular periods.
Stress
Those late-night office hours or pressure-cooker situations at work can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle. That’s because your body produces the cortisol hormone whenever you’re stressed. A spike in cortisol can trigger several hormonal imbalances and lead to health problems like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and cardiac issues. It can also disturb the progesterone-estrogen balance in your body and make your periods irregular.
Poor Sleep Hygiene
Poor sleep quality is linked with excess production of cortisol hormone. It also leads to a decrease in leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and energy balance in the body. Both these factors can cause a delay in ovulation and thus, lead to irregular periods.
Medications & Birth Control
Contraceptive devices and birth control pills can make your periods heavier, scantier and even irregular. Additionally, certain medications like ibuprofen and aspirin can interfere with your menstrual cycle and lead to irregular periods. Both these pills can meddle with the estrogen-progesterone balance in the body.
Underlying Health Conditions
Underlying health conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS, a condition linked with hormonal imbalance that leads to development of small cysts in the ovaries), thyroid disorder, and endometriosis (a condition in which the uterine lining grows outside the uterus) can also affect your overall hormonal balance and health. They can lead to irregular periods. Additionally, sometimes irregular periods could also be a result of a sexually transmitted infection. So, you must opt for a proper diagnosis by a gynaecologist.
Home Remedies For Irregular Periods
When it comes to dealing with irregular periods, nothing beats the power of making healthy lifestyle choices. Here are five strategies that can help restore the hormonal harmony in your body and regularise your periods:
Exercise
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exercising at least thrice a week for 45 minutes. Doing so 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 for sure.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Drastic weight changes in a short span of time are a sure-shot recipe for disaster when it comes to your hormonal health. If you’re planning to lose weight, remember to stick to healthy eating and regular exercise instead of strenuous workouts and fad diets. This way, you can lose weight, keep the hormonal balance intact and have periods regularly.
Sip On Ginger Tea
Ginger contains a substance called gingerol that can spell magic on your hormonal health. It helps lower inflammation and trigger uterine contractions to help you get your period on time in case it gets delayed.
Jaggery
Jaggery is yet another magic ingredient that can take care of your late period woes. It also triggers uterine contractions, helps relieve period cramps, and is a great source of iron. However, if you experience heavy bleeding during periods, then you should steer clear of consuming it.
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.
Check For Nutritional Deficiencies
Deficiency of nutrients like vitamin D, B12, and magnesium can also lead to irregular periods. Taking blood tests regularly can help you identify these nutritional deficiencies and consume doc-recommended supplements to cover up for them. Additionally, adequate sun exposure early in the morning and consuming foods such as bananas, dairy products, and green leafy veggies can help you a great deal.
We hope that you find these tips for irregular periods helpful. However, if these don’t help, we suggest you visit a doctor and get yourself diagnosed properly.
Featured Image: Pexels
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