Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Women's Health > Menstrual Health > 10 Most Common Causes of Missed and Irregular Periods

10 Most Common Causes of Missed and Irregular Periods

June 1, 2023
5 min read
By Dr. Arif Maghribi Khan, MBBS, MD | Mental Health Counselor

In this article:

  • Common Causes of Missed and Irregular Periods
  • Most-Asked Questions About Irregular Periods
  • Final Word

Menstrual disorders are common worldwide and they affect the general health of the female population.

common causes behind missed and irregular periods
Advertisements

A missed period may be due to normal causes such as pregnancy or continued use of birth control pills. Other than these, any other reasons for a missed period or irregular periods are a cause for concern.

Common Causes of Missed and Irregular Periods

Some of the causes of irregular periods are:

1. Thyroid problems

Thyroid disorders are the cause of a large number of menstrual abnormalities. A study reported that 44% of women with menstrual abnormalities such as irregular periods had thyroid problems.

Advertisements

Hypothyroidism is associated with menstrual irregularity, whereas hyperthyroidism delays the onset of menses. (1)

2. Stress

Under conditions of high stress, the brain shuts down the production of estrogen and other reproductive hormones. Thus, stress affects the hormonal balance of the body, disrupting ovulation and causing irregular periods.

A study reported a correlation between stress and menstrual irregularities. (2) Another study that included medical students in Saudi Arabia reported that 91% of the students had menstrual abnormalities associated with high stress. (3)

3. Overexercising

Although regular exercise is associated with many health benefits such as improvements in cardiovascular function, decreased fat, and insulin sensitivity, overexercise can harm the body. One of the harmful effects of overexercising is menstrual irregularities.

A study conducted on Korean women and reported in Medicine showed that irregular periods resulted from overexercise in the participants. This was attributed to the failure to suitably compensate for energy lost during exercise by increasing dietary intake. (4)

4. Body fat

Abody mass index (BMI) that is either too high (>25) or too low (<18) can affect the production of hormones necessary for ovulation. Such a hormonal imbalance can lead to irregular periods.

Advertisements

In a study, a low BMI and a high BMI both led to irregular periods in adolescent Indian girls in comparison to a normal BMI (between 17 and 22). (5)

Hence, maintain an ideal BMI by consuming a balanced diet.

5. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Irregular menstruation is associated with PCOS, according to a study published in Human Reproduction Reports. It was also found that there was an excess of androgens in the adolescent years of those subjects who later on develop PCOS and infertility. (6)

Advertisements

6. Caffeine

Research in pregnant animals and humans has shown that caffeine increases uterine vascular resistance and reduces uterine blood flow. Caffeine may affect the sex hormones, which could in turn affect the menstrual cycle.

In a study, the use of caffeine has been associated with menstrual abnormalities such as prolonged bleeding and irregular periods. (7)

7. Alcohol

Alcohol influences the levels and circulation of sex hormones. Women addicted to alcohol frequently experience anovulation, which leads to irregular menstruation. (8)

Advertisements

8. Smoking

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of menstrual abnormalities.

A study published in BMJ has reported a correlation of irregular and long menstrual cycles in adolescence and adulthood with premature death. This relation is stronger in women who smoke. (9)

9. Diet and lifestyle

Eating junk food, skipping breakfast, and having less physical activity lead to irregular menstrual cycles due to the altered hormonal balance in the body.

A study that included adolescents reported that 70.3% of the girls reported irregular menstruation due to the regular consumption of junk food. (10)

10. Shift work

Working in shifts alters sleep patterns, and exposure to light at night alters physiologic functions and the functioning of the biological clock. These effects lead to the disruption of the menstrual cycle and irregularity in periods. (11)

Most-Asked Questions About Irregular Periods

How many days of delay is considered an irregular period?

Your periods are considered irregular if you have periods more often than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days. Periods that last longer than 7 days are also considered irregular periods.

Advertisements

Generally, at what age do irregular periods start?

Usually, irregular periods start at perimenopause, also called the menopausal transition. This stage is when women start having irregular periods. Women start perimenopause at different ages, sometime in their 40s, but some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s.

Final Word

At the onset of periods, it is quite normal to have an irregular menstrual cycle. In most normal women, the periods become regular eventually.

However, some women never develop a regular menstrual cycle. Under such circumstances, consult a good gynecologist to check the underlying cause of the irregularity and seek suitable treatment.

References
  1. Ajmani N, Sarbhai V, Yadav N, Paul M, Ahmad A, Ajmani A.K. Role of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Menstrual Disorders in Tertiary Care Center of Walled City of Delhi. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India 2016; 66(2):115–119.
  2. Singh R, Sharma R, Rajani H. Impact of stress on menstrual cycle: A comparison between medical and non medical students. Saudi J. Health Sci. 2015; 4 (2): 115-119.doi: 10.4103/2278-0521.157886.
  3. Rafique N, Al-Sheikh MH. Prevalence of menstrual problems and their association with psychological stress in young female students studying health sciences. Saudi Med J 2018; 39 (1): 67-73. doi: 10.15537/smj.2018.1.21438.
  4. Cho GJ, Han SW, Shin J-H, Kim T. Effects of intensive training on menstrual function and certain serum hormones and peptides related to the female reproductive system. Medicine. 2017; 96:21(e6876) http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000006876.
  5. Singh M, Rajoura OP, Honnakamble RA. Menstrual patterns and problems in association with body mass index among adolescent school girls. J Family Med Prim Care 2019;8 (9):2855-2858.
  6. West S, Lashen H, Bloigu A, Franks S, Puukka K, Ruokonen A, Jarvelin M-R, Tapanainen JS, Morin-Papunen L. Irregular menstruation and hyperandrogenaemia in adolescence are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility in later life: Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study. Human Reproductin. 2014;29 (10): 2339–2351.
  7. Bin Mahmoud AZ, Makhdoom AN, Mufti LA, Alreheli RS, Farghal RG, Aljaouni SE. Association between menstrual disturbances and habitual use of caffeine. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences 2014; 9(4): 341-344.
  8. Augustyna B, Ziołkowski M, Odrowaz-Sypniewska G, Kiełpinski A, Gruszka M, Kosmowski W. Menstrual Cycle in Women Addicted To Alcohol During The First Week Following Drinking Cessation—Changes Of Sex Hormones Levels In Relation To Selected Clinical features. Alcohol & Alcoholism 2007; 42 (2): 80–83.
  9. Wang Y-X, Arvizu M, Rich-Edwards JW, et al. Menstrual cycle regularity and length across the reproductive lifespan and risk of premature mortality: Prospective cohort study. The BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3464. Published September 30, 2020.
  10. Negi P, Mishra A, Lakhera P. Menstrual abnormalities and their association with lifestyle pattern in adolescent girls of Garhwal, India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018; 7: 804-808.
  11. Lawson CC, Whelan EA, Lividoti Hibert EN, Spiegelman D, Schernhammer ES, Rich-Edwards JW. Rotating shift work and menstrual cycle characteristics. Epidemiology. 2011; 22(3): 305–312. doi:10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182130016.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

You Might Also Like

Nutrition

6 Foods to Avoid If You Have Sensitive Skin

By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Read more
Advertisements

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health
  • Web Stories

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health
  • Web Stories

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

Advertisements