Period cramps or dysmenorrhoea may also be attributed to irregular menstrual cycle.
Irregular menstrual cycle is an abnormality in the duration of a menstrual cycle of a female. A menstrual cycle length variations of up to 8 days between the shortest and longest cycle lengths is just a usual experience for females but a menstrual cycle length variation of between eight to 20 days is already considered moderately irregular. An extremely irregular menstrual cycle is one that varies for 21 days or more.
A single menstruation period is also considered an irregular menstrual cycle when it is shorter than 21 days or which last more than 36 days. A menstruation period shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days is already a condition known as polymenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. Oligomenorrhea is also defined as infrequent menstruation by which menstrual periods happens at intervals greater than 35 days. A female with oligomenorrhea experiences menstruation only from four to nine periods for each year.
Other conditions that can considered part of an irregular menstrual cycle is metrorrhagia which is defined as vaginal bleeding that happens between expected menstrual periods.
An irregular menstrual cycle is nothing to worry about since it is a common condition on menstruating females. An irregular period is normal to adolescents or teenagers since their hormones usually fluctuates until such time they find a balance. Other common causes for an irregular menstrual cycle are eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, excessive weight gain or weight loss, stress or emotional problems, travel, hormonal problems, over exercising, breastfeeding, birth control pills and problems with pelvic organs. Example of a hormonal problem is thyroid malfunctions. An athlete who trains very hard may experience stoppage in menstruation since this is an indication that your body wants to survive and save in energy since menstruation requires energy.
An irregular menstrual cycle does not mean that your are not at risk of getting pregnant anymore. Even if your menstrual period disappears for a while often, it does not mean you won’t get pregnant any time that is why if you are not planning to have a baby, it is important to be careful as well. If you have doubts about what is causing your irregular menstrual cycle, you can always go to a health provider. It may also be a cause of a serious medical condition which needs treatment.