The arrival of menstruation for women normally occurs every month, but the cycle varies from person to person. However, if menstruation doesn't come every month or is missed for several consecutive months, and if menstruation in each cycle is irregular compared to usual, it may be a sign that our bodies are facing health issues. Today, we'd like to share 7 important reasons for irregular menstruation that women can observe:
Stress
Whenever women experience stress, there's a chance that their menstrual cycle may become irregular. Especially when the body doesn't get enough rest, works too hard, or faces various problems that lead to continuous stress, it can cause irregularities in women's menstrual cycles. Stress can affect hormones, leading to abnormalities in ovulation and consequently irregular menstruation.
Taking Certain Medications
Certain medications, especially those in the category of antidepressants or nerve relaxants, can also contribute to irregular menstruation. These medications may impact the menstrual cycle's rhythm, affecting hormone levels and leading to irregular periods. Many medications related to hormone levels in the brain can cause hormonal changes and have an impact on menstruation.
Contracting Certain Diseases
Infections or certain diseases can also contribute to irregular menstruation. Even though infections may not directly affect hormone levels in the body, they can still cause abnormal bleeding and lead to abnormal amounts of menstrual blood. Infections or diseases such as sexually transmitted infections or pelvic inflammatory disease may cause inflammation inside the uterus and result in abnormal bleeding.
Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to irregular menstruation because it prevents the body from resting adequately. This lack of rest can lead to irregular periods. Importantly, alcohol can temporarily increase the levels of estrogen and testosterone hormones in the body, affecting ovulation and causing irregular menstruation.
Smoking
Smoking contributes to irregular menstruation and also increases the risk of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual abnormalities. Smoking-related premenstrual abnormalities tend to increase continuously in women who have smoked since a young age.
Exercising Too Much
Exercising excessively or continuously for several hours each day can lead to irregular menstruation. Overexercising can disrupt hormone levels related to menstruation, and excessive exercise can also significantly reduce body fat. Normally, our bodies need a certain amount of fat to help with ovulation, and if there's not enough fat, it can cause ovulation abnormalities and irregular menstruation.
Rapid Weight Gain or Loss
Rapid weight gain or loss within a short period can also lead to irregular menstruation. This rapid change in weight can disrupt hormone levels and cause irregular menstruation. When weight increases, it may lead to higher production of testosterone hormones and may impact ovulation, while rapid weight loss can cause hormonal imbalance and result in irregular periods.
Women can see that the reasons for irregular menstruation are closely related to their daily behaviors. Therefore, if anyone feels that their menstruation is becoming irregular, it's recommended to observe the 7 behaviors mentioned above because sometimes irregular menstruation may be caused by one of these 7 behaviors.