A regular menstrual cycle is usually called a cycle, the duration of which remains constant from month to month. A normal menstrual cycle can range from 21 to 35 days. If the cycle lasts longer in one month and less in the other, such a menstrual cycle is considered irregular. Cycle irregularities can also manifest as delayed or prolonged absence of menstruation. If minor cycle irregularities occur only occasionally, you do not need to worry about this. At the same time, an irregular menstrual cycle causes a serious anxiety in a woman and gives a lot of inconvenience. Fortunately, there are several ways to tackle this problem, including hormone therapy, addressing the underlying cause of the irregular cycle, and lifestyle changes.
Attention: the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Talk to your healthcare professional before using any home remedies or medications
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Hormone Therapy
Step 1. Talk to your gynecologist about hormone therapy
The mechanism of hormone therapy consists in interfering with the signals of the regulatory cycle of the hypothalamus - pituitary gland - gonads, which ensures the connected work of the brain and ovaries.
Intervention in this regulation allows you to suspend ovulation and stabilize the rise and fall of hormones. This will help restore a regular menstrual cycle
Step 2. Ask your gynecologist for a prescription for oral contraceptives
These drugs help regulate and stabilize sex hormones. Most often, gynecologists prescribe combined oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone. These drugs are also prescribed to reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Studies show that these drugs can help manage the physical and psychological manifestations of PMS, and also help to normalize the menstrual cycle.
- Oral contraceptives are a collection of pills that must be taken one at a time throughout the month. Each blister contains two types of pills - the first contains a combination of hormones, and the second is a placebo to be taken on the days you should have your period.
Step 3. Buy the drug prescribed by your doctor
A pack of hormonal contraceptives can contain 21, 28 or 91 tablets, the course of treatment is designed for a month. Try to take your medicine at the same time every day.
- Your doctor will likely give you detailed instructions on how and when to take hormonal contraceptives.
- If you are taking a certain hormonal drug and your cycle has not returned to normal, talk with your doctor. Most likely, he will replace the drug and prescribe a different brand of hormonal agent for you.
- In the modern pharmaceutical market, various types of hormonal preparations are widely represented, produced under different brands. Some of them are three-phase contraceptives: they contain a combination of progestins and estrogens in varying proportions. Other drugs are monophasic, that is, all tablets in the package contain the same amount of hormones. In addition, hormonal preparations containing only progesterone are produced.
- Each hormonal contraceptive drug has individual characteristics. Some contain estrogens, others contain progesterone. These two types of hormones have different effects on the human body. Be sure to discuss with your doctor which one is right for you.
Step 4. Learn about all the possible methods of hormonal contraception
Oral contraceptives are not the only treatment for irregular cycles. Along with them, vaginal rings, hormonal patches, Depo-Provera, as well as progesterone-containing intrauterine devices and subcutaneous implants are widely used. Which method you choose depends on what works best for your lifestyle and whether you are planning a pregnancy in the near future. You can also use drugs containing only progesterone: they stimulate the resumption of menstruation with a long delay in menstruation. (It must be remembered that such drugs are not contraceptive and are used only to normalize the cycle).
Method 2 of 4: Treating the underlying condition
Step 1. Ask your doctor what diseases may be causing your cycle
In many cases, irregular menstruation is due to thyroid disorders or gynecological conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Below we will look at what treatment is needed in each case.
Step 2. Treatment of endocrine disorders
If a gynecologist or therapist thinks that cycle disorders are related to thyroid dysfunction, they will recommend that you see an endocrinologist. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolic processes in the body and affect the menstrual cycle. If you have hyperthyroidism, your doctor will prescribe medications to help reduce the production of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism is often accompanied by prolonged and heavy periods. For the treatment of this disease, drugs containing synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones are prescribed. An endocrinologist will prescribe certain tests and diagnostic tests for you in order to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
- Thiamazole (Thirazol) or propylthiouracil (Propicil) are usually prescribed to treat hyperthyroidism. Most often, endocrinologists prescribe treatment with Thirazol, because this drug rarely causes side effects. The daily dose of the drug is selected individually and ranges from 15 to 30 mg per day.
- For the treatment of hypothyroidism, it is necessary to take daily medications containing a synthetic analogue of thyroxine - levothyroxine (L-thyroxine, Eutirox).
Step 3. Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Symptoms of polycystic ovary disease include weak, irregular or absent menstrual periods due to an abnormal production of sex hormones. Very often women with this syndrome do not ovulate. Treatment for this condition is aimed at restoring normal hormonal balance. For these purposes, doctors prescribe combined oral contraceptives, which contribute to the resumption of menstruation.
- If you are overweight and suffer from polycystic ovary disease, weight loss is a must.
- The package usually contains 21 estrogen and progesterone tablets and 7 placebo tablets.
Step 4. Avoid drastic weight loss
Very rapid weight loss caused by any disease, improper diet or excessive physical activity, often disrupts the hormonal balance in the body, thereby causing menstrual irregularities. Likewise, rapid weight gain and stress negatively affect the hormonal profile of the human body. If you have a low body mass index or a deficiency of certain macro- or micronutrients, you should consult with your dietitian.
- Ideal indicators of weight change during the month should not exceed two kilograms. Taking into account the fact that in the month a little over 4 weeks, every week you need to lose weight by 450 grams. Accordingly, in a week you need to burn 3500 kilocalories or 500 kcal daily.
- If you are planning to lose weight, make sure that your daily intake is at least 1200 kcal, otherwise you cannot avoid hormonal imbalance. On the other hand, if you need to gain weight, the energy value of the daily diet should be above the norm by only 500 kcal.
Method 3 of 4: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Exercise regularly
Unhealthy habits, such as a sedentary lifestyle, quite often have a negative impact on a woman's reproductive health. Exercise promotes overall health, including helping to maintain normal hormonal balance.
- Aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, five days a week.
- However, do not forget that too intense training and professional sports can also cause menstrual irregularities.
Step 2. Limit your intake of refined (simple) carbohydrates
Crackers, pretzels, chips, and other simple carbohydrate sources cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, which can increase hunger. Eating a lot of such unhealthy foods will lead to weight gain, which in turn will negatively affect your menstrual cycle.
Step 3. Limit the use of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
Drinks containing alcohol and caffeine weaken the body's immune system and cause dehydration. Drinking too much alcohol causes your blood pressure to rise, which in turn disrupts the function of many internal organs. If you are working to normalize your irregular menstrual cycle, limit your intake:
- one cup of coffee a day,
- one serving of alcoholic drinks per day (this is 350 ml of beer, 150 ml of wine or 45 ml of spirits).
Step 4. Take a course of acupuncture (acupuncture)
This method is based on the idea that energy flows circulate in the human body. If the correct flow of energy in the body is disturbed, it causes an imbalance in the human body, including in the hormonal system. Acupuncture (acupuncture) allows you to restore the normal flow of vital energy in the human body by inserting thin needles into active points.
Method 4 of 4: Using Alternative Medicine
Step 1. Take dietary supplements containing Peruvian Maca (Lepidium meyenii)
Alternative medicine advocates recommend using a South American poppy (Lepidium meyenii) supplement to help restore normal menstrual periods. This plant is believed to help maintain and restore the balance of the body's endocrine system. Unlike synthetic hormonal agents, such herbal supplements affect the hormonal system by normalizing the natural production of sex hormones.
Take 3 tablets during the day after meals. Try to take two tablets after breakfast and one after lunch
Step 2. Eat more ginger
It is believed that ginger helps to normalize the menstrual cycle. Usually ginger in one form or another is taken when menstruation is delayed.
To make ginger tea, pour 1⁄2 teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger with 1 cup (240 ml) water and bring to a boil. If you want to improve the taste of the drink, add honey to it. Drink three cups of ginger tea daily for a month
Step 3. Try increasing the amount of cinnamon in your diet
It is believed that cinnamon has a warming effect on the human body, which has a positive effect on the normalization of the menstrual cycle. Plus, eating cinnamon can help reduce cramps during your period. In addition, cinnamon contains methyl hydroxy-chalcone, which regulates the synthesis of insulin in the body (as you know, high insulin levels can cause menstrual irregularities).
To make a cinnamon milky drink, add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a glass of milk. Cinnamon can be consumed as a tea or even chewed on cinnamon sticks, as long as you remember to consume cinnamon regularly
Step 4. Eat sesame seeds to restore regular periods
It is believed that sesame seeds help regulate the body's hormonal system. Sesame seeds are rich in lignans, which can bind excess hormones. In addition, sesame seeds contain essential fatty acids that are involved in the production of hormones.
Dry or roast 1 cup (160 grams) of sesame seeds. You can grind them into powder or eat them whole
Step 5. Increase the amount of turmeric in your diet
Turmeric (like the unripe papaya fruit) is believed to have a stimulating effect and help to normalize scanty periods. In addition, turmeric has a warming effect that helps to normalize hormonal levels and menstrual periods.