Menstruation cycles are usually 21-35 days in length, with menstrual periods lasting 5-7 days. Many women have very consistent periods, but almost all women experience irregularities from time to time. While an occasional late or early period is not a cause for concern, consistently irregular periods may be disrupting and uncomfortable. At FEM Women’s Wellness, we offer treatment for irregular periods at our facility in the Reno and Lake Tahoe, NV, area.
What Is an Irregular Period?
If you count from the last day of your period to the first day of your next period, it should land between 21 and 35 days. It is normal for cycles to be longer or shorter once in a while, but if you are constantly outside of the normal cycle range, you may be experiencing irregular periods. Other symptoms include:
- Spotting between periods
- Periods lasting longer than 10 days
- Heavy bleeding during periods
- Spotting after intercourse
Irregular periods may also be accompanied by other symptoms related to the cause of the abnormality. These may include pelvic pain, cramping, mood changes, fatigue and other symptoms.
What Causes Irregular Periods?
There are many reasons why periods could be different from month to month. Anything from stress and illness to hormone imbalance and weight fluctuations can impact menstruation. There are a few reproductive disorders that can cause irregular periods, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Other possible causes of irregular periods include excessive weight loss, thyroid disorders, excessive exercise, diabetes and perimenopause.
Treatment for irregular periods starts with diagnosis. If there is an underlying medical or lifestyle cause, these issues may need to be addressed to obtain normal periods. Treatment for reproductive disorders can balance periods. For many women, using oral contraceptives can regulate periods that are caused by hormone fluctuations.
If you have experienced irregular period symptoms and want to explore treatment options, come see our GYN team at FEM Women’s Wellness. Contact our clinic in the Carson City, Reno and Lake Tahoe, NV, area to schedule your exam and consultation with one of our GYN specialists.