Common Causes Of Irregular Menstrual Cycles For Women

Every month, the female body goes through an amazing cycle of changes to prepare her body for reproduction. For some women, this process happens like clockwork, with their monthly menstrual cycle being extremely reliable. However, for many other women, cycle irregularities can create issues with fertility and their overall health. If you commonly miss periods, have erratic ovulation cycles, or other menstrual issues, it is best to talk to your gynecologist. However, it is also a good idea to understand what the underlying causes can be. Here is a look at some of the most common causes of an irregular menstrual cycle for women:

Hormonal Imbalances

The single most common cause of an irregular menstrual cycle for women is hormonal imbalances. Hormonal changes are common throughout your reproductive life, but there are some situations and health conditions that have a direct effect on your hormones, such as:

• changes in birth control 
• thyroid disease
• rapid weight loss

If your irregular period is caused by a hormonal imbalance, the good news is the issue is usually an easy fix with a good plan of treatment. The bad news is hormonal imbalances can be a long-term situation that will require long-term treatment. 

Stress

It is no secret that extreme amounts of stress can wreak havoc on your body's internal functions, but just the same, many women disregard stress as a cause when they miss their period, or their cycle is off kilter. The fact is, if you are under a great deal of stress, it causes your body to produce chemical compounds and hormonal fluctuations that affect your menstrual cycle and its regularity. Even though stress can be unavoidable for a lot of women, it can be managed through things like yoga, meditation, and stress therapy. 

Travel

Did you know that your body reacts to being in different it environments by releasing different levels of hormones? Even though you may not see it, travel can be stressful for a few reasons. For one, you will be facing emotional charges that may not otherwise be present, such as experiencing something new. Secondly, travel can involve a change in sleeping patterns, eating routines, and even how much you exercise. All of this commotion can definitely have an effect on your hormonal balance and in turn, your menstrual cycle. Talk to a doctor like Zeng, Xiao-Mei about what you can do to ease traveling conditions, so there is little interference.