Irregular periods aren't always a sign of a problem. We break down what you should know about how to identify irregular periods, what causes them and when to see a doctor.
During a normal menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one of your ovaries during ovulation. If the egg is not fertilized by a sperm, then changing hormone levels send your body a signal to shed the blood and tissues that line your uterus.
But some women have what is called abnormal uterine bleeding — another term for irregular periods — which can happen for a variety of reasons, from stress and lifestyle factors, to more serious underlying medical conditions.
An irregular period is when the length of your menstrual cycle unexpectedly falls outside of your regular range. Irregular periods can include abnormal uterine bleeding, such as:. After puberty, many women have a regular menstrual cycle. However, it's normal for the cycle to vary by a few days each time. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians AAFP , between nine and 14 percent of women have irregular periods between their first period and menopause.
There are a number of reasons why you may have an irregular, missed or late period, ranging from stress to more serious medical conditions. Irregular periods can have several causes, from hormonal imbalances to other underlying conditions, and should be evaluated by your doctor. Pregnancy can cause you to miss your period or experience spotting.
Other symptoms of early pregnancy may include:. If you may be pregnant and experience sharp, stabbing pain in the pelvis or abdomen that lasts more than a few minutes, see your doctor right away to rule out ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Hormonal birth control pills and hormone-containing intrauterine devices IUDs can cause irregular bleeding.
Birth control pills may cause spotting between periods and result in much lighter periods. Your periods should return shortly after you stop breastfeeding. Read on to learn more the effects of breastfeeding on your period. Perimenopause is the transition phase before you enter menopause.
It usually begins in your 40s, but can occur earlier. You may experience signs and symptoms lasting from 4 to 8 years , beginning with changes to your menstrual cycle. Fluctuating estrogen levels during this time can cause your menstrual cycles to get longer or shorter.
Irregular periods are the most common sign of PCOS. If you have PCOS, you may miss periods and have heavy bleeding when you do get your period. A study found that 44 percent of participants with menstrual irregularities also had thyroid disorders.
Hypothyroidism , or underactive thyroid, can cause longer, heavier periods and increased cramping. You may also experience fatigue, sensitivity to cold, and weight gain.
High levels of thyroid hormones, which is seen in hyperthyroidism , can cause shorter, lighter periods. You may also experience:. Fibroids are muscular tumors that develop in the wall of the uterus. Most fibroids are noncancerous and can range in size from as small as an apple seed to the size of a grapefruit. Fibroids can cause your periods to be very painful and heavy enough to cause anemia.
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. This is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines your uterus grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis causes very painful, even debilitating menstrual cramps. Sometimes, a period is late for a very good reason. Before you schedule an appointment with your doctor, you might want to rule out pregnancy. If stress is a possible culprit in your irregular cycle, try stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga , tai chi , visualization, cognitive behavioral therapy, and biofeedback.
Avoid over-exercising, and try not to diet excessively. For all medical issues, consult your healthcare professional. Absolutely yes, says Lynn. If you're not ovulating, you're not going to get pregnant , but if you are ovulating with irregular cycles, you can. You can have bleeding without ovulating but it's a real period only if you ovulate.
You should use contraception if not desiring pregnancy and to protect against STDs. If you are interested in ovulation timing for family planning or any reason, but you have irregular menstrual periods, see your doctor first.
If you do have PCOS or another condition, you can get treated as soon as possible. Ovulation calculators are not very helpful for women with irregular menstrual cycles. Although none of these fertility awareness methods FAM are foolproof, women with regular or mildly irregular periods may be able to help predict ovulation by monitoring themselves for ovulation symptoms such as changes in cervical mucus or changes in basal body temperature and by tracking their cycles.
Products such as apps, testing kits, and ovulation monitors may help some women figure out when they are ovulating; talk to your doctor before investing time and money in these products. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: May 11, Medically Reviewed. One study found that 44 percent of study participants with irregular periods also had thyroid problems. If you skip more than two periods, you are probably in late perimenopause.
Extreme exercise Exercising too much can throw off the timing of menstrual bleeding and sometimes stop it.
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