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Reasons for Irregular Menstruation Cycles

Most women have one menstrual cycle each month. This is not the case for all women. Some women may have two or three short periods each month, while other women may only have a menstrual cycle every two or three months. Having an irregular menstruation cycle means that it is not normal for your body.

  1. The Facts

    • Menstruation is how the body prepares women for pregnancy. When your menstrual cycle occurs regularly, this indicates that your body is working the way it should. A normal cycle contains four phases and lasts approximately 28 days. In phase one, the uterus thickens in preparation for an embryo. In phase two, the ovaries begin producing eggs again. In phase three, the eggs are released into the fallopian tubes. In the final phase, if the egg is not fertilized, the lining is shed and the menstrual cycle starts over again.

    Stress

    • Being under any kind of stress causes our adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. Cortisol has a direct effect on the production of estrogen and progesterone, These hormones have a impact on how the menstrual cycle works each month. If the hormone levels are not correct, then the menstrual cycle may be disrupted.

    Diet and Exercise

    • If your body is not adequately nourished, it can disrupt the way the body functions. Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, can cause the menstrual cycle to become irregular and eventually stop completely. Not eating on a regular basis, too much exercise, and continued dieting can cause the body to go into survival mode. In this case, the body thinks it is starving and will shut down all systems that are not necessary.

    Medications

    • Some medications can cause irregular menstrual cycles. Most methods of birth control contain hormones that are suppose to change the way your menstrual cycle works each month. These can cause you to have irregular periods, heavy bleeding, spotting, cramps or no period at all. If you take medications and your menstrual cycle is irregular, ask your physician if any of the medications you take could be the cause.

    Considerations

    • The use of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco and caffeine can cause your body to believe it is under stress. This causes the secretion of cortisol, which effects the estrogen and progesterone levels in your body, causing irregular menstruation. An irregular menstrual cycle is one of the most common signs of perimenopause. Some women who experience irregular menstrual cycles may be entering perimenopause, as this causes an imbalance in progesterone that leads to irregular menstruation.

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