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Causes of Irregular Periods
Irregular periods have a host of causes; but, for women approaching menopause, the primary cause is hormonal changes in the body. Understanding what is happening in the body can greatly help a woman who is experiencing irregular periods, which is a common menopausal symptom.
Besides normal hormonal changes, irregular periods can be caused or aggravated by other physical and behavioral factors. These underlying causes may warrant consultation with a doctor. Continue reading to learn more about the hormonal, health-related, and behavioral causes of irregular periods.
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Hormonal Causes of Irregular
Periods
Declining levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body are the most common cause of irregular periods during menopause. To better understand this, it is helpful to look at what happens hormonally in a woman's body throughout the life cycle.
Normal Menstruation: During a regular menstrual cycle, the hypothalamus in the brain sends out a chemical signal (FSH, or follicle stimulating hormone) to the pituitary gland to stimulate follicle development in the ovaries.
Next, these developing follicles secrete increasing amounts of estrogen into the blood, causing the uterine lining to thicken and the cervical mucous to change. When levels of estrogen become high enough, a hormone called Lutenizing Hormone (LH) is released and ovulation occurs. (Birth control pills often block LH and, thus, prevent ovulation). |
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If this egg isn't fertilized and implanted, the excess estrogen and progesterone excreted in case of fertilization is released, the lining of the uterus begins to shed, and a woman has her period, usually 12-14 days after ovulation.
The information below outlines the role of hormones during the menstrual cycle. |
Interest Fact
On average, a women has 500 menstrual cycles throughout her lifetime, between the time of her first period at about age 12 to her last period just prior to menopause.
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Role of Hormones During Menstrual Cycle:
While menstruation is orchestrated by many hormones, progesterone and estrogen are the primary hormones responsible for irregular periods.
Estrogen: Estrogen is responsible for thickening the uterine lining before ovulation. As levels of estrogen become erratic in menopause, this lining is often shed irregularly and can lead to heavy bleeding.
 Progesterone: Progesterone is responsible for triggering the shed of the uterine contents after ovulation when fertilization hasn't occurred. It is also responsible for controlling the intensity and duration of menstrual bleeding. When it declines in menopause, it can lead to irregular periods. During anovulation, which is common with irregular periods in menopause, progesterone is not produced. This can lead to estrogen build-up.
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Irregular periods during menopause: During the time of menopause, the body begins to produce less estrogen and progesterone, though levels of both hormones fluctuate greatly and are unpredictable. This change in hormone levels often leads to irregular periods. Instead of the spikes in hormones typical of a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries now produce a consistent low level of hormones, which is not often enough to trigger ovulation. Moreover, the type of estrogen produced during perimenopause is an inactive form. |
In addition to these underlying hormonal causes of irregular periods typically during menopause, other physical and emotional factors can cause or aggravate irregular periods in women. Read on to learn more about these other causes of irregular periods.
Other Causes of Irregular Periods
While hormonal changes are the primary cause of irregular periods during menopause, some health conditions and lifestyle triggers can cause or aggravate irregular periods throughout a woman's life. It is important to bear in mind that while the disease-related causes of irregular periods during menopause are rare, they require medical attention.
Health Conditions:
• Eating disorders
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Uterine abnormalities (Fibroids, cysts, polyps, endometriosis)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Tuberculosis
• Recent birth or miscarriage
• Liver disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Anemia
• Thyroid dysfunction
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Lifestyle triggers:
• Significant weight gain/loss
• Over-exercise
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Drug use
• Caffeine
• Excessive alcohol use
• Increased stress
• Medication use
• Breastfeeding
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When a woman experiences unusual symptoms in addition to irregular periods or if irregular periods are troubling, she should speak with her health care professional to rule out more serious conditions. Read on to learn more about when to speak with a doctor.
When to Call the Doctor
Many experts advise that all women speak with their health care provider when they begin to experience the symptoms of menopause, including irregular periods. Annual Pap and pelvic exam appointments are a good opportunity to mention irregular periods, particularly if they are bothersome or concerning.
Symptoms warranting a call to the doctor:
• Heavy bleeding.
• Extended bleeding (more than 7 days).
• Bleeding after sex.
• Spotting.
• Abdominal pain.
• Excess hair growth.
• Unexplained weight gain.
• Accompanying odorous discharge.
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A doctor can perform certain tests to determine if something more serious is going on, in addition to providing peace of mind for those experiencing irregular periods characteristic of this life transition.
Please read on to the next section to learn more about treatments of irregular periods, which can ease symptoms and provide comprehensive relief.
Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.
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