Menstruation often generates doubts and concerns in women. And all this because of ignorance. There are women who have their period twice a month, others who do not go down for months, others who have very abundant or very scanty menstruation… Why does all this happen? How can you know if your period is normal or if there is a serious health problem behind all these disorders? When is a period considered irregular? We talked about all this with Alejandra Menassa, an internist specializing in women’s health and president of SESMI (Spanish Society of Integrative Medicine) so that she can clear up any doubts. Very attentive!
The symptoms that indicate that your menstruation is irregular
- A menstrual cycle lasts 28 days. We would consider that a perfectly regular period would have to go down on day 28 of the cycle, however there may be small variations and be one or two days ahead or behind. “Instead of the 27th, it goes down on the 28th, instead of the 28th, it goes down on the 29th… This would be considered normal cycle variations”, says Dr. Alejandra.
- However, when these variations go further and instead of one or two days the period is advanced or delayed by a week or more, one should already begin to suspect that there is some type of hormonal irregularity.
- If this irregularity occurs in an isolated month, there is nothing to worry about, it is important to consult a professional when the disturbances occur frequently and last over time.
Why can menstruation be irregular?
- The truth is that there are several reasons why a woman’s period may present irregularities. Alejandra Menassa mentions some of them:
- The intake of some foods, substances or supplements, such as sage, soy or flax oil, which have a strong estrogenic effect that greatly interferes with the period.
- Excessive exercise can also cause delays or even amenorrhea (absence of periods).
- Variations in weight. Women who suffer constant weight loss or gain, it is normal that sooner or later they experience imbalances in their menstruation.
- Ovarian problems, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- Stress, anxiety or some other emotional disorder.
- The trips. Going outside our home also influences the normal rhythm of the organism, causing alterations in our period.
- Lactation. _ With breastfeeding, a hormone called prolactin is generated that helps the secretion of milk. This hormone inhibits the production of estrogen and progesterone, that is, it has a function of inhibiting the menstrual cycle, which is why lactating women are generally amenorrheic (they do not have their period). The variations in this period are totally normal and there is no reason to be scared.
- Perimenopause. In women who are in the pre-menopausal stage, it is very common for menstrual disorders to occur. Rules every two or three months, very abundant menstruation (polymenorrhea)… It is increasingly common for women to go through this stage around the age of 45. In addition to menstrual imbalances, you can look at other symptoms to find out if you have entered perimenopause: hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness…
- Endometriosis. When the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of it, endometriosis occurs. This condition causes heavy bleeding, very long periods, bleeding between periods…
- Thyroid problems. Hypothyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormones) is also a big trigger for irregular periods. What are the consequences? Cramps, fatigue, long and heavy periods…
