Menstruation or menstruation has become an inseparable part of a woman's life. Every woman who has experienced puberty will experience menstruation every month. Generally, normal menstruation lasts every 21-35 days, with a long bleeding time of around 2-7 days.
However, not all women's menstrual cycles go smoothly according to the menstrual pattern every month. Menstruation can be said to be not smooth when a woman experiences menstruation on cycles that are longer or shorter than normal cycles. Menstruation can also be said to be uneven if a woman has unpredictable intervals between menstrual cycles.
Actually, the condition of menstruation that is not smooth is common in teenage girls who are in the early stages of their first menstruation. However, if it continues into adulthood, it is necessary to have a medical examination by a doctor. The reason is, menstrual cycles that are not smooth can be influenced by many causes. So if you experience this condition, it's a good idea to immediately find out about your health condition to find the best solution.
What triggers irregular menstruation ?
Irregular menstruation can be caused by many factors, both internal and external factors. However, there are several factors that can cause irregular menstruation. For example:
- Unbalanced hormones
Hormones are certainly the main cause of irregular menstruation. There are several phases in women that can trigger an unbalanced hormonal condition, namely during puberty, menopause, childbirth, and breastfeeding. This is caused by the levels of estrogen and progesterone which are still very variable, so the menstrual schedule becomes more difficult to predict.
Apart from these phases, other things that make hormone levels unbalance are contraceptives and stress levels, because these two things can affect hormone levels in the body. Hormone levels that are too little or too much can affect the part of the brain that plays a role in regulating menstruation. As a result, your cycles may be faster, slower, or not menstruating at all.
- Drastic weight gain or loss
Body weight turns out to have implications for the menstrual cycle. This can occur due to body weight which indirectly affects the secretion of hormones in glands in the brain that function to regulate metabolism. You need to keep your weight stable and not experience drastic increases and decreases. Because drastic weight loss can inhibit the production of the hormone estrogen. Meanwhile, if you experience significant weight gain, the body has a tendency to produce too much estrogen.
Unbalanced levels of the hormone estrogen have an influence on the ovary release cycle (ovulation) every month. When ovulation is hampered, the menstrual cycle will automatically be disrupted.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a disease caused due to an excess of male hormones in women. This condition triggers the appearance of cysts in the ovaries which prevent women from releasing their eggs every month. Women with PCOS usually have excess hair growth on the face, acne that is difficult to get rid of, and irregular menstrual cycles. In addition, there are several other factors such as sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine polyps which can also cause menstrual cycle disturbances.
What is the proper handling?
There are treatment options for women with irregular menstrual cycles. One way is to use prescription drugs, such as metformin and insulin -lowering drugs to help expedite ovulation so that menstruation returns regularly. You need to consult a doctor to apply this hormone therapy action. In addition, you can also combine medical treatment with a consistent healthy lifestyle. You can start doing yoga regularly, have a high-nutrient diet to control your weight, and apply good rest patterns so that your body's condition is maintained.
Knowing the causes and treatment of irregular menstruation can help you provide a basic picture of your health condition and how best to handle it. If your menstrual cycle is not regular, don't hesitate to consult a doctor immediately. #LiveExcellently