Diagnosing and treating irregular periods positively affects overall health
As your trusted healthcare providers, our San Antonio Women’s clinic doctors offer exceptional care throughout the stages of your life. From young women to expectant mothers to mature patients navigating post-menopause, we are here with the emotional support and medical expertise you desire. One of our focus areas is irregular periods and abnormal menstrual cycles.
Understanding the female reproductive cycle
When a woman reaches puberty, she begins to have monthly menstrual cycles, a series of changes her body experiences in anticipation of pregnancy. Every month, the ovaries release an egg during ovulation, and hormonal changes occur to prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg. If fertilization does not occur, the uterine lining sloughs off and is shed through the vagina, which is when you have a period.
What are abnormal menstrual cycles?
Generally, a period will happen every 28 to 35 days, with bleeding occurring for two to seven days on average. Every woman and every cycle are slightly different, but usually women begin to develop a routine pattern with their periods. However, some individuals end up having irregular periods, meaning they have very light or very heavy bleeding with no consistent timing.
What are common causes of irregular cycles?
For young women just beginning to have monthly periods, cycles will take a year or two to establish a normal pattern. Additionally, women who are approaching menopause may start to experience irregular periods.
Abnormal menstrual cycles often result from the following factors.
- Excessive weight loss or extreme weight gain
- Hormonal abnormalities, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or primary ovarian insufficiency
- Thyroid or pituitary gland disorders
- Scarring or blockages in the reproductive system
- Exercise routines that result in very low body fat percentages
- Breastfeeding
Treatment options for abnormal menstrual cycles and irregular periods
To diagnose cycle irregularities, our San Antonio Women’s clinic doctors will ask you to keep a detailed log of when your periods start, how long they last, and how heavy the bleeding is during the cycle. Your physician will also perform a physical exam and may order an ultrasound as well as an endometrial biopsy.
Determining the root cause of the problem will enable your doctor to decide on the best course of action. Treatment may involve birth control pills, over-the-counter pain relievers, and possibly surgical intervention.
Don’t let irregular periods damage your quality of life. The team at Live Oak Women’s Health will create a personalized treatment plan to address your concerns and improve your symptoms. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our San Antonio Women’s clinic doctors.
