Irregular periods Mate marama whakahipahipa
An irregular period is when the length of time between your periods keeps changing. A period is counted from the start of your last period (the first day you saw blood) to the start of your next one.
Causes of irregular periods
A normal period may last for 3 to 8 days and happen every 21 to 35 days. Most of the blood loss happens in the first 3 days.
Your monthly cycle is affected by the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body. That is why it is common to have irregular periods during puberty and just before menopause.
Changes in your cycle are usually caused by a hormone imbalance that causes your periods to stop or become irregular.
Periods may stop or become irregular if you are:
- pregnant – you should take a pregnancy test to rule this out
- breastfeeding
- using an oral contraceptive or an intrauterine device (IUD).
- going through puberty – periods are often irregular for the first couple of years
- going through menopause – periods often become irregular when menopause starts
- losing or gaining a lot of weight quickly
- doing a lot of intense exercise
- stressed.
You may also have irregular periods caused by a medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
If you have bleeding after menopause or after sex, this might be a sign of a serious problem. It is important to see your healthcare provider straight away rather than waiting to see if the bleeding happens again.
Diagnosing irregular periods
It can be helpful to complete a period (menstrual) diary, which is a record of your periods. You can also download a period tracker app.
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you are worried about your periods or if:
- your periods suddenly become irregular
- you could be pregnant
- you have lost weight or you or someone close to you is concerned about your weight
- you want to get pregnant.
Bring your diary along to your appointment to discuss with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will ask about your periods and examine you. This may include an internal examination (pelvic examination).
You may also need to have some blood tests to check your hormone and thyroid levels. In some cases, you may need an ultrasound.
Treating irregular periods
You might not need any treatment for irregular periods. You may need treatment if you are:
- trying to get pregnant
- have a condition that is causing your irregular periods such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Your healthcare provider may suggest that you see a specialist in hormones (endocrinologist) or in women's health (gynaecologist).