Menstrual bleeding or period is a biological process of shedding the uterine wall by bleeding through the vagina at regular intervals. The menstrual cycle as it is known is needed to keep the woman’s body healthy and prepare it for pregnancy.
A cycle is the duration between the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. The menstrual cycle normally repeats itself every 28–35 days. Thus, you can say that the average menstrual cycle is between 28–35 days long. The period usually lasts 4–6 days.
Usually, periods start in the female child at the age of puberty (12–15 years old) and last till the woman is 45–50 years old.
The regularity of the menstrual cycle may be an indicator of the woman’s health. Irregular menstrual cycles have been associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases such as ovarian cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes, mental health issues, and chronic inflammation leading to premature death (death before the age of 70).
What Is Meant by Irregular Periods?
A menstrual cycle that is below 21 days or beyond 40 days or bleeding that lasts for more than 10 days is called an abnormal or irregular period.
So, how to check if you have irregular periods? First, check the frequency of your cycle, and then check the duration. Check for abnormal bleeding for a longer duration than the usual 4–6 days, and then check for bleeding outside the period time.
Also, are you experiencing a lot more pain than usual? Any deviations from the normal in any of these could be signs of irregular or abnormal periods.
Home Remedies to Improve Irregular Periods
Though allopathic treatments are available for the treatment of irregular periods and heavy bleeding during periods, these have many side effects. Hence, it is better to explore alternatives.
Here are some home remedies that can help treat irregular periods.
1. Consume ginger
Ginger has many health benefits, and one of the benefits is that it regulates the menstrual cycle. Ginger contains gingerol, which aids in uterine contraction and balances the hormones, thereby regulating the menstrual cycle.
A recent study reported that intake of ginger reduced heavy menstrual bleeding.
2. Try cinnamon
Cinnamon is an herb with a very strong odor. It improves the blood flow to the uterus and reduces abdominal pain and nausea, thereby helping in treating irregular periods.
3. Sip fennel tea
Fennel has estrogenic activity, which helps to balance hormones and regularize periods.
4. Drink raspberry tea
Raspberry leaves help in relaxing the smooth muscle of the uterus and thus can be helpful if there is pain associated with irregular periods.
5. Drink turmeric milk
Turmeric is an herb that has many health benefits. It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antispasmodic and is used in the treatment of many health ailments such as colds, cough, and fever. It also helps in reducing uterine cramps.
6. Consume sesame seed tea in moderation
Sesame is reported to have estrogenic activity and hence can be used to regularize the menstrual cycle by inducing bleeding in patients with infrequent periods (oligomenorrhea).
7. Improve your food habits
Adequate nutrition is an important aspect of treating disorders related to the menstrual cycle. A diet low in foods causing an inflammatory response in the body should be avoided. Likewise, avoid foods with a high glycemic index.
Here are some food recommendations:
- Avoid refined carbohydrates, sugary foods, and dairy products.
- Limit consumption of red meat and egg yolk to two times a week.
- Increase consumption of whole grains such as millet, brown rice, and oats.
8. Take nutritional supplements
Some vitamins and other food supplements improve organ functioning in the body and thereby provide relief from irregular menstruation.
- Vitamin A: Ensures a healthy uterus by promoting healthy endometrial growth.
- Omega-6 fatty acids: Borage and primrose oil, which contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, tone up the uterus.
- Cod liver oil: In addition to being a good source of vitamins A and D, cod liver oil provides the necessary molecules for hormone synthesis and thus helps regulate hormonal balance.
9. Use aromatherapy
Oil massage blends using lavender oil, sage oil, and German chamomile oil reduce the pain and cramps during the menstrual cycle.
10. Yoga and exercise can help
Regular exercise helps in maintaining a healthy weight and balances the hormones in the body, thus normalizing the menstrual cycle.
Yoga is a holistic remedy and has been shown to be beneficial in balancing the mind and the body, resulting in healthier individuals. Specific yogic postures that are useful in addressing menstrual problems are dhanurasana (bow pose), utrasana (camel pose), matsyasana (fish pose), and malasana (garland pose).
According to research studies, yoga therapy positively impacts the menstrual cycle by reducing stress and anxiety.
Causes of Irregular Periods
Irregular periods may be the result of any of the following conditions.
- Hormonal imbalance: The menstrual cycle is triggered by the hormones acting on the wall of the uterus. Any changes in the secretion pattern of these hormones could lead to irregular periods. Especially disruptions in thyroid function could lead to irregular periods.
- Lifestyle and obesity: A sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy food habits such as gorging on fast foods could lead to irregular periods. Previous studies have reported obesity, stress, and smoking are also the factors behind irregular periods.
- Use of contraceptive pills: The use of the contraceptive pill disrupts the normal hormonal balance of the body leading to painful and abnormal periods.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: This is an infection of the female reproductive organs that damages the uterus, leading to irregular periods.
- Uterine fibroids: These are noncancerous tumors that grow in the muscular wall of the uterus. They range in size from very small to very large, and sometimes more than one fibroid may be present in the uterus. Often, fibroids lead to heavy bleeding, cramps, and irregular periods.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): Irregular periods can also be due to PCOS, which occurs when there is a higher level of androgen hormone (male sex hormone) in females. Androgen is normally present in females but in very little amounts. When there is more secretion of androgen hormone, there can be changes in the menstrual pattern such as missed periods or no periods.