Perimenopause Irregular Periods
The most recognized symptom if perimenopause is the occurrence of irregular periods or menstrual cycles. About 90% of perimenopausal women will have this as a symptom of their condition, making it the most common symptom across the board.
What makes an irregular period?
A woman's menstrual cycle is governed by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When the production of hormones are affected, as they are during perimenopause, irregular periods occur. Usually, the irregularity of the period is dependent on the woman's unique cycle. Examples of irregular periods include: skipping a period, changes in blood flow, changes (shortening or lengthening) in the intervals between periods, very painful cramping, visible blood clots, and bleeding for a period longer than seven days.
Any of these symptoms or factors must be present for several months before concluding that a woman has perimenopause. Sometimes extreme stress can cause a woman to skip a period or change the length of both the intervals between their cycle and the number of days in which menstruation occurs. Once a few months has passed and perimenopause has been diagnosed, a woman can continue having irregular periods for three to ten years (and sometimes more) before the period stops completely and the woman becomes fully menopausal.
Do perimenopause's irregular periods have triggers?
The main trigger of an irregular period is the fluctuation of hormones. However, doctors have been noticing trends or correlations between certain health conditions and lifestyles to irregular periods. Some examples of these health conditions include: eating disorders, tuberculosis, anemia, cancer, liver disease, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, as well as uterine abnormalities or abnormalities within the reproductive system. Examples of lifestyle factors that can trigger irregular periods are: unhealthy eating habits, poor nutrition, smoking, use of narcotics, over-exercise, breastfeeding, and excessive alcohol or caffeine.
If any of these factors are present, your irregular periods may not be a result of perimenopause or early perimenopause. However, no matter what is causing your irregular periods, be sure to see a doctor if anything other than the symptoms mentioned in the first section occur. If you notice excessive bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, foul smelling blood, and/or unexplained weight gain, then it is best to see a doctor immediately. Your irregular periods may be the effect of an underlying, more serious ailment.
What can be done about perimenopause's irregular periods?
Most doctors advise women to “always be prepared.” This is especially true since most irregular periods are characterized by the absence of a period for several months then its return or the unpredictability of the length between cycles. It is therefore important for a woman to always be ready to have her period, especially if it has been confirmed that it is due to perimenopause. Other than this, healthy eating, exercise, and enough sleep can help balance out the uncomfortable symptoms that come with irregular periods (ex. cramps.)
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