Women feel awkward talking about their menstrual health and monthly cycles even in 2025. But they shouldn’t be. The menstrual cycle is an indicator of women’s health, if it is irregular, something needs to be addressed. The most common question I get as a gynecologist is, “Am I suffering from irregular periods?” In this blog, I will discuss openly the abnormal menstrual cycle, the factors that cause it, and what you can do about it.
What do irregular periods even mean?
Normal menstrual cycle occurs every 21 to 35 days and lasts for 3 to 7 days. Now this is quite subjective, and factors like travel and stress can delay it by a day or two. However, if you experience these symptoms, you might be suffering from an irregular period cycle:
- Quick arrival of periods (less than 21 days)
- Your period is consistently late, and the interval between your cycles is more than 35 days
- You don’t have periods for months
- You suffer from unusually heavy or light bleeding
- Your monthly cycle lasts for more than 7 days
- If it lasts for less than 3 days
- Bleeding in between your menstrual cycle
What are the causes of missed periods?
If something upsets your body’s hormonal balance, you may miss your period.
Hormonal imbalance
Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for maintaining a healthy cycle. But these chemicals become out of sync due to these conditions:
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) can lead to irregular periods or even make them stop, along with other symptoms like weight gain, acne, and extra hair growth. It often affects how your body uses insulin, which impacts your ovaries.
If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, it can throw your period off. Gynecologists always check this gland when patients complain about irregular periods.
As women reach their 40s, their bodies start preparing for menopause. Hormone levels can go haywire during this time, leading to irregular period cycles before periods eventually stop.
In rare cases, ovaries might stop working normally before age 40, causing missed periods.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle comes #2 in the list of factors causing missed periods.
- If you are under duress, your hormones will respond to it, thus making your periods irregular.
- Severe fluctuations in weight or obesity can throw off your menstrual cycle
- Over-exercising and under-exercising can be detrimental
- Poor diet
Other causes of missed periods
The simplest reason for a missed period! If there’s a chance you could be pregnant, a pregnancy test is always the first step.
- Starting or stopping hormonal birth control (pills, injections, or IUDs) can change your period.
- Uterine fibroids are harmless growths in the womb that can cause heavy or long periods
- Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to your womb lining grows outside the womb, causing pain and irregular bleeding.
- Pelvic Infection (PID) can also lead to menstrual health problems.
Some medicines, like those for depression or blood thinners, can affect your hormones and period cycle.
What is the right time to visit a gynecologist in Jaipur?
As soon as you see these signs or have confusion, it’s time to book a consultation:
- Sudden big changes to your usual period.
- More than three missed periods consecutively and you’re not pregnant.
- Your period timings are off; it occurs more/ less frequently.
- Very heavy bleeding (like soaking a pad/tampon every hour for hours).
- Periods that last longer than 7 days.
- Severe pain interrupting your daily activities.
- Irregular periods with symptoms like unexplained weight gain or loss, new hair growth, bad acne, or unusual discharge.
- Trouble getting pregnant.
When you visit, we will discuss your health history. We might do blood tests to check hormone levels or thyroid function, and an ultrasound to look at your uterus and ovaries. If you want, you can visit the best gynecologist hospital in Jaipur.
Understanding the current irregular periods treatment options
As a gynecologist, let me tell you, there is no single treatment plan; it will be highly personalized.
- If you’re too thin, gaining some healthy weight can help. If you’re overweight, losing even a little can balance hormones.
- Find ways to relax, like yoga, meditation, or spending time outdoors.
- For women in India, adding iron-rich foods like leafy greens and lentils is good to avoid low iron (anemia).
- Be active, but don’t overdo it.
- Getting enough restful sleep is crucial for your body’s hormone balance.
Often, your gynecologist might suggest hormone pills, like birth control pills, to help regulate your cycle. Sometimes, progesterone medicines are used to bring on a period or balance cycles.
- If we find problems like PCOS or a thyroid issue, we’ll prescribe specific medicines to treat them.
- If you have large fibroids or severe endometriosis, a laparoscopic surgery might be needed.
Menstrual health tips every woman should follow
We all know the saying, “prevention is better than a cure”. Of course, if you are suffering, you must seek a specialist. However, here are some menstrual health tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle:
- Use a simple calendar or a period app to track it
Note when your period starts and ends, how heavy it is, and any symptoms like cramps. This helps you understand your body and gives valuable information to your doctor.
- Change pads, tampons, or empty your menstrual cup regularly (every 4-6 hours).
- Wash gently with warm water. Avoid harsh soaps or douching, which can upset your body’s natural balance.
- Drinking plenty of water can help with bloating and cramps.
- Choose cotton underwear that lets your skin breathe.
- Pay attention to any new or unusual symptoms, our body often gives hints when something’s not right.
- Don’t be shy about discussing your period. Talk to a trusted family member, a friend, or a doctor.
Should you look for a lady gynecologist?
It depends on your preference or comfort level, many women prefer a lady to discuss their reproductive health problems. They feel a woman would listen to their concerns and create a comfortable environment for them. If you are looking for a gynecologist in Japiur, you must choose someone experienced with the latest technologies. The clinic should offer advanced support for pregnancy, fibroids, irregular periods, and other complex situations.
Irregular periods are common, and usually, a specialist can find the cause and help you. Don’t let worries stop you from getting the care you deserve. I’m here to help you achieve a healthier, more predictable cycle.
Worried about irregular periods?
Book a consultation with Dr. Pankhuri
About Dr. Pankhuri
Dr. Pankhuri Gautam has over 15 years of experience as a gynecologist and obstetrician. She arranges comprehensive health checkups and advanced laparoscopic surgeries, making her the best lady gynecologist in Jaipur.
Questions Regarding Irregular Periods
- My period often comes late, sometimes even skipping a month. Is this always a problem?
Not necessarily. Occasional late periods can be due to stress, travel, or even changes in your diet or exercise. However, if you consistently miss periods, or if they are delayed by more than 35 days regularly, it’s wise to get it checked.
Conditions like PCOS (which is quite common in India) or thyroid issues can cause this, and we can easily diagnose and manage them. A simple pregnancy test is always the first step if you’re sexually active!
- Can lifestyle changes help with irregular periods, or do I always need medicines?
I’ve seen wonderful results when women manage stress through yoga or meditation, maintain a healthy weight, eat balanced meals, and get enough sleep. For many, especially if the cause is stress-related or minor hormonal shifts, these changes alone can bring your cycle back on track. Medicines are prescribed when there’s an underlying condition or when lifestyle changes aren’t enough.
- I have irregular periods, and I’m trying to conceive. Is it possible to get pregnant?
Yes, it is possible, but it might require a bit more planning and guidance. Irregular periods often mean that ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg) isn’t happening regularly or predictably. This makes it harder to know your window.
We can use methods like ovulation kits, blood tests, and ultrasound scans to track ovulation. Often, treating the cause of your irregular periods, like managing PCOS, can significantly improve your chances of pregnancy.
- How long is “too long” for a period to be irregular before I should see a gynecologist in Jaipur?
If you’ve noticed your periods are consistently off-track for more than two or three cycles, it’s a good time to consult us. This means if they are always too short, too long, too heavy, too light, or if you’re spotting between periods repeatedly.
Early detection and treatment can make a huge difference, especially if there’s an underlying condition that needs attention. You can find a good lady gynecologist in Jaipur through online platforms or by asking for recommendations.
- My daughter, who just started her period, has very irregular cycles. Is this normal, or should we be concerned?
For girls who have just started menstruating (typically in their early teens), it’s very common for periods to be irregular for the first 1-2 years. Their hormonal system is still maturing and finding its rhythm. So, an initial irregular period cycle is normal. However, if her periods are extremely heavy, very painful, or if she still hasn’t had a period for many months after starting, it’s best to discuss this with a specialist.
