Missing your periods is a nightmare, many women experience often. The stress & tension along with the premenstrual symptoms can be too much to take for anyone. This can disturb personal as well as professional life. Where one can opt for home remedies to cure irregular periods, it is not safe to do so, unless know the cause.

WHAT ARE IRREGULAR PERIODS?

Though an ideal menstrual cycle is of 28 days, if periods come later than 35 days or earlier than 15 days, they are considered as irregular.

SYMPTOMS OF IRREGULAR PERIODS

Generally, the irregularity of periods doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. In case the number of days between the last and recent cycle is huge every month, know that there is a problem with the menstrual cycle.
Apart from that, below-mentioned are a few more symptoms that may notice:

Abnormal bleeding
Heavier or longer period cycle than usual
Getting periods often in 21 days
Or, getting them less frequently in 35 days

CAUSES OF IRREGULAR PERIODS

The major causes of irregular periods are as listed below.

1. WEIGHT
Both being overweight or underweight can cause to have irregular periods. If underweight or have experienced sudden weight loss it can disturb the ovulation cycle causing irregular periods. On the other hand, if overweight or obese, it too will impact body’s hormonal balance.

2. STRESS
In today’s hectic lives, stress is a common problem among women. Severe stress can disturb the hormonal balance of the body causing irregular periods.

3. HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL
Birth control is used by a number of women these days. But their regular use can cause periods to be irregular. Both hormonal birth control pills & IUDs (intrauterine devices) used to avoid pregnancy have adverse effects on periods. Both of them can cause irregular periods & bleeding.
Birth control pills contains a combination of estrogen & progesterone, where in some cases progesterone alone. This can cause hormonal imbalance in the body resulting in reduced bleeding or spotting between periods. It can even lead to missing periods for up to 6 months. On the other hand, IUDs can cause heavy bleeding in women.

4. HORMONAL IMBALANCE
Hormonal imbalance can be majorly experienced at the time of puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding & menopause. Thus, their imbalance can cause irregular periods & heavy bleeding.

5. POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME ( PCOS )
Irregular menstruation is both the cause & effect of PCOS. It is a condition where ovaries don’t ovulate normally & multiple small fluid-filled cysts are formed in them. In PCOS, ovaries start making male-hormones (androgen) in excess. This causes a hormonal imbalance in the body causing irregular periods.

6. ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is a condition wherein the cells lining inside of the uterus start growing outside of the uterine cavity. This causes irregular menstruation, extreme pain & cramps during, before & after periods. It also causes hormonal imbalance in the body, which leads to irregular periods.

7. UTERINE FIBROIDS
Uterine Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow on the walls of the uterus. These can not only cause periods to be irregular but also make them painful by causing heavy bleeding & even anemia.

8. PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE
PID is a bacterial infection of the female reproductive system. Though it starts from the uterus, if not controlled on time, it can spread to other parts of the reproductive system like Fallopian tubes, damaging them.

9. CERVICAL CANCER
Cervical cancer is found to be comparatively rarer. Cervical cancer can also cause heavy bleeding & painful periods. It is a severe condition that must be treated immediately once diagnosed.

TREATMENT FOR IRREGULAR PERIODS
Whatever be the cause of the irregular periods, it is important that to consult a doctor about the condition at the earliest. This is because early diagnosis can help to determine the root cause of irregular periods & if it is a severe condition, one can opt for appropriate treatment for the same.

HOME REMEDIES FOR IRREGULAR PERIODS

1. UNRIPE PAPAYA
Unripe, green papaya is known to be useful in regulating the flow of menstruation. Since it helps in contracting muscles inside the uterus, consuming raw papaya juice frequently can benefit extensively.

2. TURMERIC
Turmeric is considered as one of the best treatments for periods. It not just regulates periods but also helps in creating a balance among hormones. The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of turmeric also help to relieve pain.

3. ALOE VERA
Using Aloe Vera before or after periods can help treat the abnormality of hormones and irregularity of periods. It’s recommended to extract fresh Aloe Vera pulp from the leaf, mix it with one spoon honey, and consume daily.

4. REDUCE STRESS
High-stress levels are directly linked to irregular periods. Therefore, reducing stress, will definitely help to manage period flow.

5. GAIN OR LOOSE WEIGHT
Being either overweight or underweight can impact the menstrual cycle drastically. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight is extremely necessary.

6. DRINK POMEGRANATE
For inducing periods, consuming pomegranate juice is helpful as well.

7. FOOD RICH IN VITAMIN C
High doses of Vitamin C can help improve the blood flow by increasing the estrogen level in the body. The enhanced levels of this hormone result in stimulating uterine contractions; hence, stimulating bleeding.

8. JAGGERY
When mixed with sesame seed, carom seed, and ginger, Jaggery can produce useful results, specifically for those who have missed the date.

9. DATES
Known to create heat in the body, Dates have been proven to be incredibly effective in curing irregular periods problems. If consumed them every day, can get periods on time.

10. PUMPKIN
Pumpkin contains an element called carotene, which is effective in inducing periods. Therefore, consuming it on a regular basis can be helpful with menstruation.

“ HEALTHY BODY IS MADE WITH HEALTH HABITS “