Top Remedies for Irregular Periods in Indian Women | MFine

A period is a part of the menstrual cycle during which the uterine lining is shed and can last anywhere from 4-7 days. In a normal menstrual cycle, a period is expected to occur every 21 to 35 days. (approximately one month) If the duration of this cycle is longer or shorter, it is considered an irregular menstrual cycle/ abnormal menstrual cycle.

You may have irregular periods problem, if:

• The number of days between each period starts to change drastically
• The duration of each period varies a lot
• You experience irregular bleeding. In other words, you shed more/ less blood than usual
• You frequently miss periods
• You experience periods accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
• You experience irregular bleeding/ spotting between each period

If you experience any of the above-mentioned menses problems, consult a gynecologist to identify the exact causes of irregular menstruation and solution for the same. The doctor will be able to perform a thorough diagnosis and suggest suitable remedies for irregular periods. \

Many factors can act as irregular menstruation causes. Changes in your production of hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone are the most common cause of an abnormal menstrual cycle.

Factors that trigger hormonal imbalance include:
• Life cycle changes: Factors like puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect your hormone production; thus, inducing late period symptoms.
  – During puberty, a girl’s body can take several years to adjust to a normal hormone production pattern. Thus, it is common to experience irregular periods problems during this time.
  – Women approaching menopause experience irregular periods, and the amount of blood they shed can differ. Menopause happens when twelve or more months have passed since the last period.
  – During pregnancy, menstruation completely ceases. Irregular periods after pregnancy are quite common. It is understandable to be worried, but it will return to normal over time. During breastfeeding, most women experience irregularities in their menstrual cycle as well.
• Using Contraceptives: When a woman starts using contraceptive pills for the first time, it is common to experience lighter bleeding than usual. Generally, this goes away after a few months. Having an intrauterine device or IUD may also cause heavy bleeding.
• Stress: While it is normal to experience stress from time to time, extreme emotional stress that hinders your daily life is a cause for concern. Several studies have indicated that stress and other related lifestyle factors can contribute to delayed menstruation. If you are experiencing high levels of stress in your daily life, consult a psychiatrist to improve your mental well-being. Besides, you can also perform a stress assessment test to check for elevated stress levels.

Other factors that can also cause hormonal imbalance include:

• Extreme weight loss/ weight gain
• Performing too much exercise
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia

Apart from this, several disorders are associated with menses problems as well. They include:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
  PCOS is a menstrual disorder that causes small, fluid-filled cysts to develop inside the ovaries. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular period cycle or no periods at all. One may also experience unexplained weight gain, acne, and excessive hair growth. If these symptoms seem familiar to you, consider performing a PCOD blood test at home. If needed, the doctor may direct you to a dietitian to receive a personalized Indian PCOD diet plan.
• Thyroid Disorders
  Thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can cause hormonal imbalances in the body, which may result in menses problems. Abnormal levels of thyroid hormones produced by the gland can affect your menstrual cycle. Consider booking a thyroid profile package to understand if your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are within the normal range.
• Endometriosis
  Endometriosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (endometrial cells) grows outside of it. The growth caused due to endometriosis is not cancerous; however, it can be painful. Most often, it can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining your pelvis. In severe cases, it can cause fertility problems. Fortunately, there are treatments to curb symptoms of this disorder.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
  This refers to an infection in the female reproductive organs. It can occur when sexually transmitted microorganisms enter your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries from the vagina. If left untreated, it can damage the organs; thus, resulting in severe pain. Symptoms of PID include irregular bleeding between periods or during sexual intercourse.In very rare cases, the causes of irregular menstrual cycle may be due to cervical or uterine cancer. This can induce bleeding between periods or during sexual intercourse.Early detection is the key to receiving suitable remedies for irregular periods. If you experience any abnormalities in your menstrual cycle, book an appointment with a gynecologist to get examined immediately.

If you experience an abnormal menstrual cycle, keep an accurate record of all the symptoms you have experienced, including the duration between each period, and your flow-type. This will be helpful when the doctor asks about your menstrual cycle and medical history.

The gynecologist may perform a physical examination, and sometimes a pap smear test for older women. This will help rule out the possibility of cervical cancer.

The doctor may also recommend the following lab tests:

• Blood tests
• Pelvic Ultrasound, to check for PCOS, Uterine Fibroids, or Polyps
• Laparoscopy. In some cases, the doctor will suggest performing a laparoscopy test that allows the doctor to view inside your abdomen, through a small incision near your navel.
• Endometrial Biopsy, to check for Endometriosis. A sample of tissue is taken from the lining for a thorough examination.

After identifying the underlying causes of missed period, the gynecologist will suggest suitable remedies for irregular periods.

Treatment of Cause
If you are searching for an irregular menstruation treatment, it can be provided after a thorough diagnostic evaluation. As mentioned earlier, hormonal imbalances in the body can cause irregular periods. It is important to note that hormonal imbalances caused by puberty and menopause does not require treatment.

Irregular periods are also linked to other disorders such as PCOS, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, Polyps, Thyroid issues, and more. Depending on the cause, the gynecologist will suggest a plan accordingly.

• Contraception: If the irregular periods problem is due to contraceptive pills, discuss with the doctor about other contraception methods.
• PCOS: In the case of PCOS, maintaining a healthy weight is key to reducing late period symptoms. Lower weight means the body does not have to produce excess insulin; thus, reducing testosterone levels and increasing the chance of ovulation. If needed, the doctor may direct you to a dietitian to receive a personalized Indian PCOD diet plan.

• Thyroid Problems: For hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, the gynecologist may suggest dietary and lifestyle changes, medicines, or radioactive iodine therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
• Endometriosis: Generally, hormone therapy is provided for curing endometriosis. In severe cases, surgery and fertility treatments are also included in the treatment plan.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): In most cases, PID is caused by a sexually transmitted infection. The doctor may suggest you perform an STD assessment test to evaluate your risk factors. After diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a suitable treatment plan, and ask you to avoid sexual intercourse until completion of treatment. The doctor may also provide a combination of antibiotic medicine to regulate periods. Surgery is rarely required.
• Stress: In the case of stress, it is important to develop healthy ways of managing stress, such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining an exercise routine, and getting sufficient rest every day. However, it is still advisable to talk to a mental health professional/ psychiatrist to learn how to deal with high levels of stress.

Medicines to regulate periods must be consumed as directed by a gynecologist only. Avoid self-medication.

While it may sound alarming, irregular periods can be effectively treated. If you experience an abnormal menstrual cycle, consult a gynecologist to identify the exact causes of irregular menstruation and solution for the same. The doctor will perform an accurate diagnosis and provide suitable remedies for irregular periods. Also, it is always recommended to perform a full body checkup at least once a year to understand the status of your health and well-being. You can have an online doctor consultation with a medical expert on MFine. You can also book a comprehensive health package or a specific condition-based health package based on your lifestyle, diet, and existing conditions. We also have in-depth medical guides that answer all your common medical queries!

1. Are irregular periods bad?
It is normal to have irregular periods during the first few years of menstruating, and while approaching menopause. It is also normal to experience irregular periods after pregnancy. In any case, it is important to consult a gynecologist to check for any underlying conditions that may be causing it.

2. What food should be taken for irregular periods?
Eating a balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals are essential for regulating periods. Incorporating ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and papaya into the daily diet has been proven to help regulate periods as well. Following a diet rich in vitamin B12 can also be very beneficial. Consult a dietitian if you need a more personalized Indian diet plan that ticks all the nutrients. The dietitian may also suggest performing a vitamin profile test to understand if your daily intake of important nutrients is within the normal range.

3. Can I get pregnant with an irregular period?
Irregular/ delayed menstruation may indicate fertility problems, but it isn’t always the case. It is possible for ovulation to occur, even when your periods are irregular. A common tip to know if you are ovulating is to check your cervical mucous. If it is plentiful, clear, and slippery, it means that you are ovulating. Engaging in sexual activity more frequently around ovulation, without protection increases the chances of conceiving.

4. How do I book an appointment with a gynecologist online?
MFine aims to provide affordable medical services to anyone, anywhere. To book an online doctor consultation, simply install the MFine app, and enter your contact details. Search for ‘top gynecologists near me’ and schedule your appointment instantly. With security being our top priority, your discussions with the doctor will remain strictly confidential.