When to Consult Your Doctor About Irregular Period Symptoms?
Chances are that at some point in every woman's life, she is going to have an irregular period. What’s an irregular period? An irregular period is defined as one of three types:
- Amenorrhea. Not having a period for 3 months or menstrual cycles.
- Oligomenorrhea. Periods that are more than 35 days apart.
- Menorrhagia. Having a heavy period flow for more than a week.
Reasons Women Experience Irregular Periods
Several things can cause a woman's period to become irregular. Some of the reasons a woman's period shifts from its normal cycle are nothing to worry about, but some reasons can be a cause for concern.
- Age. Simply put, a woman's age can have a tremendous effect on her cycles. When girls first get their menstrual cycle, it can take them months or even years to fall into a predictable pattern. Likewise, when women enter the pre-menopausal phase, periods can vary wildly with the dip in hormones.
- Birth Control. Birth control pills can have a noticeable effect on women's cycles. Periods can become lighter or even stop altogether while on contraceptives simply due to the medication’s intended effect of blocking ovulation and certain hormones that control her period.
- Stress. Whether you are under long-term stress or just having a short bout of anxiety, stress can cause your cycle to shift and lead to missed or late periods.
- Exercising and Dieting. If you workout and diet in moderation, then you probably won't experience any symptoms. But when beginning a vigorous new diet or exercise program, women can sometimes experience missed or fluctuating periods. Competitive athletes often have this issue.
- Illnesses. Many diseases can affect a woman's menstrual cycle. Some include: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, thyroid disorders, diabetes, sexual transmitted diseases and so on.
When to Go See Your OB/GYN
With all the ways the period cycle can be disrupted, it might prove difficult to know when to go to the doctor and when the disruption is a normal occurrence. Below are some simple guidelines to help in determining if a trip to your OB/GYN is necessary.
- If you’ve been bleeding between periods.
- If you experience excessive dizziness or weakness during your period.
- If your period flow becomes unusually heavy, soaking through 1 sanitary pad per hour for 3 or more hours.
- If your period suddenly becomes irregular when you have been regular before.
- If your menstrual cycle is less than 21 days or more than 31 days apart.
- If your periods are extremely painful.
- If your period lasts more than a week.
- If you have not had a period for more than 90 days or 3 menstrual cycles.
It is important for women to stay on top of their reproductive health. Often the symptoms can be mild or inconclusive, which leads women to brush off their symptoms and simply “grin and bear it.”
When in doubt, always check with your medical professional, which can be done during a well-woman exam. Your OB/GYN can determine the cause of your symptoms and the best treatment. It’s better to be safe than sorry!