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. It's also normal for the number of days a girl has her period to vary. Sometimes a girl may bleed for 2 days, sometimes it may last a week.
That's because the level of hormones the body makes can be different from one cycle to the next, and this affects the amount and length of bleeding. If your cycle is not regular, you'll want to pay attention to the clues your body may give you that your period is coming soon. These may include:. Keep some pads or tampons in your backpack or purse, just so you'll have them handy in case your period comes when you're not expecting it. You may even want to carry an extra pair of underwear.
Most of the time, irregular periods are part of the normal changes that can happen when you're a teen. As you get older, your cycle will probably settle into a recognizable pattern. Sometimes, irregular periods can be caused by some medicines, exercising too much , having a very low or high body weight, or not eating enough calories.
Hormone imbalances can also cause irregular periods. For example, thyroid hormone levels that are too low or too high can cause problems with periods. Some girls have extra androgen, a hormone that can cause hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and abdomen.
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. Eating disorders, extreme dieting, or weight loss Being underweight, whether from extreme exercise, dieting, an eating disorder , or illness, can have the same effect.
Age As mentioned, perimenopause and menopause have a major effect. But being young can create irregularities as well. Birth control And not just birth control pills ; IUDs , implants, and rings can also cause irregular bleeding. Irregular Periods May Occur After Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss Also referred to as a spontaneous abortion , a miscarriage happens when an embryo or fetus dies before the 20th week of pregnancy. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking.
PLoS One. Kwak Y, Kim Y. Irregular Menstruation According to Occupational Status. Polycystic ovary syndrome — PCOS is caused by imbalanced sex hormones, which can disrupt regular menstruation.
Premature ovarian failure — The ovaries of women with POF stop working before the age of 40, according to the National Institutes of Health. However, some women with this condition continue to have occasional periods. Stress — Stress hormones can affect menstruation and prolonged stress can cause your period to be delayed or for you to skip it entirely. Request an Appointment. Date Archives Year Share This Page: Post Tweet. Find a Program or Service.
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