Irregular periods or late periods are one of the most common problems faced by women. The medical term for this situation is oligomenorrhea. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. However, it varies from individual to individual. If your periods arrive every 24-38 days, it is considered normal; however, if it gets delayed by 40-45 days, you must consult a period specialist doctor to determine the possible cause of irregular periods.

Causes of Irregular Periods:

The various reasons for the late period are as follows:

• Stress

Chronic stress is one of the common causes of late or irregular periods. This causes disturbance in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle in females. Stress can stop or delay ovulation and may result in excessive weight gain or weight loss that affects your menstrual cycle.

• Obesity

Females who are overweight often find that their period cycle is disrupted. It is mainly because of the overproduction of estrogen, which is a crucial hormone for reproduction. Excessive amounts of estrogen cause irregularity in the cycle and can even stop your cycle.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a medical condition in which cysts are formed on the ovaries because of an abundance of male hormones called androgen. This hormonal imbalance causes late periods and irregular ovulation.

• Thyroid 

Another prominent cause of delayed periods is overactive or underactive thyroid glands. Thyroid glands are responsible for regulating the metabolism and hormonal activities. Your period cycle will be expected once you take medication to balance your thyroid.

• Birth Control Pills

Birth Control pills contain hormones called estrogen and progestin. Consuming birth control pills prevents your ovaries from producing eggs. Your menstrual cycle takes upto 90 days to get back to normal once you stop consuming the pills.

• Chronic Disease

Acute illnesses like diabetes and celiac disease are associated with irregular menstruation because they disturb the normal functioning of the hormones, which causes delays in the cycle. Some other chronic diseases that cause delayed periods are Cushing Syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, and Asherman’s Syndrome.

Various Conditions associated with Irregular Periods

Different women suffer from different conditions that result in delayed or irregular periods. Some of them are as follows:

• Amenorrhea 

It is a condition when your periods are delayed more than 90 days unless you are not pregnant. If you have crossed the age of 15-16 and are still not menstruating, then you might be suffering from Amenorrhea.

• Oligomenorrhea

It is a condition when your periods are irregular, the cycle exceeds 35 days between two periods, or you may have six to eight periods in a year.

• Dysmenorrhea 

It is a condition when you suffer from extreme menstrual pain or cramps, which causes discomfort in your period cycle.

When to see a Doctor

Usually, your menstrual cycle can return to normal after making certain adjustments in your lifestyle and taking precautions against the triggers.

However, if you are experiencing the following symptoms, you must contact your gynaecologist at your earliest:

• Mild to severe abdominal cramps without bleeding.
• Tender breasts due to hormonal changes.
• Feeling exhausted and having low energy levels.
• Mood swings, irritation and anxiety due to hormonal imbalance.
• Persistent bloating and loss of appetite 

You can consult with your doctor, and if you are not pregnant and are getting delayed periods, then up to how many days late is normal. Sometimes, your period cycle gets disrupted due to shifts in routine, diet and environment.

Home Remedies for Late period

If your period cycle is not fixed or you are suffering from delayed periods, you can get it cured by following specific home remedies. Changing diet, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications can help you get periods on time.

Some of the effective home remedies are as follows:

• Maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential because it helps balance the hormone level. Regular exercising and monitoring your body weight is the first step towards a healthy menstrual cycle.

• Say no to Junk/ Packaged foods

Junk food or processed foods are harmful as they contain toxic chemicals that interact with your hormones and disturb your cycle.

Avoid Junk foods like fried chicken, burgers, pizza and more. Processed or canned foods like fish, corn, meat and sauces are harmful.

• Induce Cinnamon in your diet

Cinnamon is effective in reducing pain and excessive bleeding. You can prepare a herbal tea or add a pinch of cinnamon to your diet, as it contains anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.

It is a safe and natural procedure to treat your periods.

• Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol causes disruptions in the hormones and interacts with them, which causes delayed periods. Limiting the use or avoiding consumption helps people return to a healthy period cycle.

• Ginger

Ginger is an excellent remedy for getting periods on time. Inducing ginger in the form of herbal tea or ginger juice will effectively prevent the pain caused by delayed periods, balance the hormones and regulate the bleeding levels.

• Have a proper sleep

Irregular sleep cycles cause disturbance in the melatonin hormone, which impacts ovulation and menstruation. Properly sleeping 8 hours is necessary to prevent such hormonal disturbances.

• Manage your Stress Levels

It is necessary to manage stress levels because it is one of the most common causes of irregular periods. Engage yourself in meditation, yoga, or spiritual activities to help you manage your stress levels. 

• Regular exercise or yoga

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and engaging yourself in daily yoga and workouts helps to maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress levels and balance your metabolism and hormones. Some practical yoga exercises that help keep your period cycle are Vajrasana and Pranayama.  Some recommended exercises are crunches, spot jogs, and squat jumps.

• Eat pineapple

Pineapple is famous and the most recommended fruit by doctors if you suffer from irregular periods. It is rich in bromelain, which helps soften your uterus and regulate your periods. It has anti-inflammatory and natural pain relievers which reduce period pains

Irregular or late periods can be overwhelming for females as it comes with other conditions like mood swings, loss of appetite, uneven skin and frequent abdominal pain. Many young females are confused and think about what to do when their periods are late. Timely consultation with your gynaecologist provides you with the best possible solutions.

If you are suffering from irregular and painful periods, visit Dr Rachna, one of the best and experienced gynaecologist in Delhi, who provides tailored solutions and treatments based on your situation. Book your consultation today and take the first step towards a healthy menstrual cycle.