Women’s menstrual periods typically occur every 24 to 38 days, lasting two to eight days. And, while variations of two to three days between each cycle is normal, your period is irregular if you go more than 38 days between each or the variation is more than three days. Here, learn some of the most common causes for irregular periods before talking to the gynecologists at your local women’s health clinic.

5 Irregular Period Causes

1. Birth Control

Both intrauterine devices — IUDs — and birth control pills can contribute to irregular periods because they cause hormonal changes. The pill lightens periods and can make the body skip them entirely. IUDs, conversely, contribute to heavy bleeding. Birth control pills can also cause spotting in between your periods.

2. Extreme Exercise & Dieting

While maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen is essential to health, too much exertion and too little nutrients from a low-calorie, low-fat diet can cause irregular or missed periods. The body needs a certain amount of fat to produce estrogen, and BMIs below 18 or 19 interfere with this natural process to cause hormonal imbalances and irregular periods.

3. Stress

Acute and chronic stress can create hormonal fluctuations resulting in period irregularity. When you are stressed, your body goes into “survival” mode and releases cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones take precedence over reproductive hormones because the body is essentially trying to keep you safe. Stress-related poor diet choices also contribute to hormonal imbalances.

4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — PCOS

When small cysts form on the ovaries due to polycystic ovary syndrome, normal ovulation gets disrupted to create irregular periods. The hormonal disorder is also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome and occurs when the body produces more progesterone — male hormones — than estrogen. While this condition is currently incurable, it can be treated by your local women’s health clinic.

5. Pregnancy

Pregnancy can cause spotting in the early stages, and you’ll eventually miss periods. Other early symptoms include nausea and morning sickness, fatigue, and breast tenderness. Your local women’s health clinic provides accurate testing to determine if you are pregnant.

Whether you have irregular periods or any other women’s health issue you want to address, make an appointment with Caring For Women in Anchorage, AK. The women’s health clinic provides a full suite of services, including OB-GYN procedures and menopause care. Call (907) 279-2229 today to schedule your appointment or visit the clinic online for a full-service list. Like the Facebook page for additional reproductive health and wellness tips.