A normal menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, plus or minus seven days. However, if it occurs more frequently than every 21 days or lasts longer than 8 days, menstrual bleeding is considered to be irregular. Likewise, early, late, or missed periods are also considered signs of an irregular cycle.
So, are you one of those who suffers from this unannounced period? There’s no reason to be worried about. It’s also just fine if our period decides to make a shorter or longer stay.
On the other hand, there are alarming symptoms of an irregular period that means trouble and requires immediate medical attention. This includes:
- Heavy bleeding with clots and cramps
- Missing periods or with intervals of more than 35 days
- Consistent periods at intervals of less than 20 days for 2 or 3 cycles
- Periods that last longer than a week or less than 2 days consistently for 2 or 3 cycles
It might be time to visit the doctor if we experience any of these.
What Causes Irregular Periods?
Certain external factors and health issues can interrupt the hormonal balance and affect our normal menstrual pattern. Some of the reasons are:
- Thyroid disorders
- Uterine polyps-fibroids
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Mental stress
- Excessive physical exertion
- Long-term hormonal medications
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Menopause
- Menarche
Consult a doctor first if you notice any consistencies in your periods in order to rule out pregnancy or abortion as well as to figure out the accurate cause of the irregularity.
Home Remedies For Irregular Periods
In order to regulate hormone levels, we need to follow an active and stress-free lifestyle. Have a wholesome diet with moderate exercises to manage stress and maintain normal physiological functions. We can also try meditation, yoga and yoga nidra. Aside from these, we can try these simple home remedies:
Gooseberry Juice
This juice can help lessen excessive bleeding alongside dizziness and burning sensation.
Make a mixture by adding 10 ml freshly squeezed gooseberry juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink this thrice a day.
Black Sesame Seeds
Delayed and painful menstruation accompanied by cramps can be treated by a black sesame seed drink.
In a cup of water, mix 1 teaspoon of black sesame seeds. Boil this on a medium flame until the quantity of the liquid reduces to ¼ cup. Add ½ teaspoon of jaggery. Strain and drink the mixture once a day.
Vegetables And Fruits
Some vegetables and fruits are good at regulating monthly cycles. For vegetables, these include carrots, beetroot, spinach, radish, drumstick, broccoli, and bitter gourd. Certain fruits like pineapple, raw papaya, and apple also have the same effect.
Drinking pineapple, sugarcane, or carrot juice lessens overall debility, induces menstruation, nourishes the tissues, and increases hemoglobin levels.
Yogurt And Honey
A regular habit of eating yogurt and honey can reduce extreme bleeding with cramps.
Add 1 teaspoon of honey and a pinch of rock salt to 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Eat this thrice a day.
Fennel And Carom Seeds
These two provide instant relief from menstrual cramps.
Mix ¼ teaspoon carom seeds and ½ teaspoon fennel seeds. Chew the mixture and swallow the extracted juice.
Dried Fruits
Regularly snacking on a handful of mixed dry fruits can have beneficial effects on our general fitness and hormonal levels. Some of the dried fruits we can eat are raisins, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, figs, and apricots.
Coriander Seeds
A drink made with coriander seeds, known as Dhanyaka hima can act as a coolant and helps provide relief from too much bleeding along with burning sensation, dizziness, and weakness.
In a half-liter of water, soak 2 tablespoons of coriander seed overnight. Strain and drink it throughout the day.
Coriander And Mint Leaves
A mixture of this can promote menstruation, regulate the menstrual cycle and increase hemoglobin levels.
Make a paste of coriander and mint leaves seasoned with turmeric, cumin seeds, asafetida, ginger, and salt to taste. Eat this regularly.
