Despite the fact that irregular periods are quite common for young women that just started menstruating, they can manifest certain health issues in older women. You should understand that missed or irregular menstruation usually don’t occur by themselves. There are underlying conditions that can interfere with the normal menstrual cycle. That’s why it is important to visit the gynecologist regularly and make an additional appointment in case of certain abnormalities. In this article, we gathered five dangerous causes of irregular periods that should alarm you.
1. PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that is caused by hormone imbalance. Women with PCOS have an increased level of male hormones (androgen or testosterone). The most common symptoms of PCOS include:
Irregular periods
Pelvic pain
Increased body weight
Acne
Increased body hair growths
You should also know that PCOS is considered one of the most common causes of infertility. A woman with PCOS develops small cysts in the ovaries that interfere with egg release. In this case, the fertilization can’t occur and the pregnancy is not possible.
If you have noticed at least some of the symptoms listed above, it is better to make an appointment with your gynecologist to evaluate your condition. Timely and proper treatment can help you normalize your cycle and reduce other symptoms.
2. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that occur in the uterus. They grow from the muscular tissue and usually are not cancerous. However, they can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms like pain and bleeding during sex, irregular periods, increased abdominal area, and pelvic pressure.
Fibroids can shrink or even disappear during the menopause when the estrogen levels decrease. However, uterine fibroids can affect women of different ages and it is not worth waiting for decades until they disappear. During fibroids treatment, the doctor will remove tumors that will also eliminate all the symptoms.
3. PID
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a dangerous condition that affects pelvic organs. You should also know that in most cases, PID is caused by an untreated sexually transmitted infection. However, other infections can also lead to inflammation when they penetrate the pelvic area. That’s why it is extremely important to visit a gynecologist and perform STD testing regularly.
Pelvic inflammatory disease usually manifests itself through abnormal vaginal discharge with the unpleasant odor, pelvic pain, irregular menstruation, and fertility issues. The reality is that inflammation can cause sears and adhesions that can don’t let the egg reach the fallopian tubes.
4. Thyroid disorders
If you have overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid, you may also experience irregular periods. If your thyroid gland produces more thyroxine hormone than necessary, your menstruation can be shorter then usual. When the thyroid gland produces less thyroxine then needed, your periods may become heavier and more painful.
Due to the fact that thyroid disorders as any other hormonal imbalances requite complicated treatment, it is better to visit a doctor right after the first symptom. You should understand that it is much easier to treat thyroid malfunctions on the initial stages.
5. Endometriosis
Endometriosis can also cause menstrual abnormalities since this condition affects the endometrium. With endometriosis, the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus on pelvic organs. During the periods, it starts to shed and cause severe cramps. It can also cause irregular and more prolonged periods.
Endometriosis is a quite common condition that affects women all over the world. It causes pain during sex, pain during bowel movements, heavy periods, and even infertility. Despite the fact that there is co complete cure for endometriosis, there are certain treatment options that can ease its symptoms.
