Treating Irregular Periods And PMS

Most women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in the days just before their period begins each month. It tends to affect a woman’s physical health, as well as her emotions and behavior. A woman’s menstrual cycle typically lasts 21 to 35 days, the average being 28 days, and most periods last for 5 days. Irregular periods are those where bleeding lasts for longer than 8 days, the cycle is longer than 35 days, or there are other changes in what each woman may consider normal. Missed, early, or late periods are all signs of irregular periods.

Irregular periods can be caused by many different factors, and the treatment for each varies. The causes of PMS and its more severe form, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are considered unknown. However, like irregular periods, many believe hormones play an important role. This is why some treatments include hormone therapy for PMS, medications to treat PMDD, stress reduction for irregular periods, and once again, hormone therapy for PMDD.

Hormone Therapy

When a woman is going through menopause, her hormone levels are changing and irregular periods can occur as a result. Most women go through menopause in their late fifties. However, irregular periods can begin to occur up to ten years before this. As menopause begins, the frequency of ovulation decreases, and thus, periods start to become infrequent as well. Hormone therapy is a key treatment for menopause, and certain forms can cause monthly bleeding and help treat irregular periods.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. While it comes with a wide array of symptoms, the most common are prolonged and irregular periods. Progestin therapy, one type of hormone therapy used to treat PCOS, can help regulate a woman’s periods through pills taken once every couple of months.

Medication

Medication, as mentioned, plays a big role in a woman’s menstrual cycle. Many medications can cause irregular periods as they alter how the body produces progesterone and estrogen. These medications include the standard Aspirin many take and thyroid medications only certain women will take. Thus, doctors may make changes in the medications a woman takes to stop irregular periods.

Pain medication like ibuprofen and naproxen can help abdominal pain associated with PMS. Diuretics can help women shed excess water that causes bloating. There are also several medications recommended for PCOS patients to help with their irregular periods. Those medications include metformin, letrozole, clomiphene, gonadotropins. Metformin, for instance, helps a woman with PCOS with her insulin production, which can result in more regular ovulation.

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills alter a woman’s hormones to control her menstrual cycle. However, the body can take a few months to adjust to birth control pills, which means periods can still be irregular and PMS symptoms can stick around during this time. Certain birth control pills, such as ones with low estrogen, can mean light or non-existent periods. As well, it will take several months for a woman's menstrual cycle to level out and operate normally if she stops taking birth control pills. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for irregular periods after coming off of birth control pills except for time. Stopping birth control pills can reveal hormonal issues influencing a woman’s PMS or irregular periods.

Combination birth control pills, which include progestin and estrogen, are often used to treat PCOS. They regulate the estrogen a woman’s body produces while also reducing the high levels of androgen many PCOS patients have. This corrects the abnormal menstrual bleeding women with PCOS experience.

Stress Relief

Cortisol, the stress hormone, directly influences how much progesterone and estrogen a woman’s body produces. Both of these hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle. Too much stress can compromise the signals being sent from the brain to the ovaries and uterus. This triggers abnormal changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle and even worsening PMS symptoms. Thus, to help regulate a period thrown off-track due to stress and lessen the impact of PMS, women must focus on stress relief. For many, this may include trying yoga, practicing meditation and mindfulness, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies like reading or listening to music.

Exercise And Diet

While some exercise and weight loss is fine, excessive amounts can reduce the body’s energy and levels of a key hormone (leptin), triggering an irregular period. However, an appropriate amount of exercise can increase a woman’s overall energy levels. It can also reduce bloating, abdominal pain, and lessen anxiety, all of which are symptoms of PMS. When excess weight is a factor in PMS and irregular periods, exercise is an important treatment. It is not, however, sufficient on its own, and diet often comes into play. Doctors often also suggest women with PCOS adjust their diets and follow a good exercise regimen to reduce excess weight and increase the effectiveness of other treatments.

Consuming foods high in carbohydrates, greasy or fried food, and chocolates or sweets cause weight gain along with bloating and discomfort, thus worsening PMS. A woman’s body can also produce fluctuating hormones with these dietary choices. Women looking to treat PMS or irregular periods must make healthy and balanced dietary choices. Beneficial foods include leafy greens like kale and swiss chard, both of which are full of vital nutrients; nuts and seeds, which are full of protein, omega-3s, and healthy fats; and fresh fruit, a source of natural and healthy sugars. Whole grains, along with many fruits, contain lots of fiber, which keeps women regular and lets them stay fuller longer. This reduces their susceptibility to unhealthy cravings. Iron is key when it comes to reducing PMS symptoms, so women should ensure they get lots. Darky leafy greens will come into play here, as will red meat.