For women, our menstrual cycle is an important indicator of not just our reproductive health, but also our overall well-being. To find out whether you have irregular periods, you first need to know what the duration of a ‘regular’ period is. According to doctors, the average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but this can vary from person to person and month to month. But roughly, your periods are still considered regular if they come every 24 to 38 days. If the time between periods keeps changing and your periods come earlier or later, you might be dealing with an irregular menstrual cycle. Once you recognise that your cycle is irregular, you can try looking for tips on how to regulate your periods.
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Home Remedies For Irregular Periods
If you have finally identified that you are dealing with an irregular menstrual cycle, you must be wondering how you can regulate your periods. Well, the good news is that you don’t need to rush to a doctor immediately! There are plenty of home remedies for irregular periods that you can try at home before you decide to seek medical intervention. And worry not, you don’t need to be popping any over-the-counter pills! We’ve rounded up some tips on natural ways to regulate periods.
Keep an eye on your weight
For your body’s menstrual cycle to function normally, you need to keep a close eye on your weight. This means that you shouldn’t be overweight or underweight for your age and height. If you find yourself to be falling under either category, please chalk out a healthy diet plan to lose or gain the appropriate amount of weight.
Take supplements if you have deficiencies
A lot of times, our periods are irregular because of a vitamin deficiency we don’t know about. Speak to your doctor, and get yourself tested for any possible deficiencies. If you find yourself deficient in Vitamin B or D, ensure that you are taking supplements. However, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider on the dosage of your supplements.
Maintain a regular exercise routine
Exercise goes a long way in keeping our periods regular and healthy. Several clinical studies have been conducted that prove the vital role of regular exercise when it comes to a healthy menstrual cycle, and doctors often recommend it to patients who suffer from PCOS. Plus, exercise also helps you lose weight, which is another essential factor that contributes to regular periods! So make sure that you are exercising for at least 150 minutes per week.
Include ginger in your diet
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Although no scientific studies have been conducted into the benefits of consuming ginger to regulate your periods, it has been used as a home remedy for irregular periods in several cultures. If you find the taste of ginger to be too strong, an easy way to consume it is by making ginger tea. Just peel and grate some ginger, add it to boiling water, and let it boil for around 5 minutes. Then, strain the ginger out of the water, and drink the leftover ‘tea’. You can also add honey for a little sweetness!
Avoid crash diets
Extreme or crash diets can put your body into starvation mode—which signals your brain to do whatever it can to conserve all your energy. When this happens, your body decides that you are not fit for reproduction (since you do not have enough nutrition for your own survival), and your periods can become extremely irregular and eventually stop. If weight loss is your goal, it is better to include healthy, nutrition-dense meals into your diet and exercise regularly. This way, you will lose weight in a gradual way without any adverse effects on your menstrual cycle.
Keep your stress levels low
Remember how your periods would get irregular around the time you had your exams when in school? Well, you can blame stress for that! Stress can play a HUGE role in disrupting your menstrual cycle. When your body is stressed, it produces an excess of a hormone called cortisol. And when too much cortisol is present in your system, your body does not deem you fit for reproduction. This, in turn, leads to irregular periods, and if your stress levels don’t come under control, you may lose your period altogether.
Practice Yoga
Yoga is a great activity because it has been proven to be effective towards not one, but several menstrual issues. According to Healthline, a 2013 study with 126 participants found that 35 to 40 minutes of yoga, 5 days a week for 6 months lowered hormone levels related to irregular menstruation. Plus Yoga is also a great form of exercise AND it helps reduce stress—both of which are important for regular periods.
FAQs
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What are the symptoms of irregular periods?
According to Medical News Today, the main symptom of irregular periods is when the cycle is longer than 35 days, or if it varies in length. If there are changes in blood flow, or if clots appear that are more than 2.5 centimeters in diameter, this is also considered an irregular period.
What are the causes of irregular periods?
There are several medical reasons for irregular periods, varying in degree of seriousness. They can range from stress, obesity, extreme weight loss, change in medication, hormonal imbalance, or underlying diseases. Additionally, pregnancy can also make you think your periods are irregular, as you might notice a late period or spotting. If you have not had your period 35-40 days after your last one, please consider getting a pregnancy test.
What to eat if periods are not coming?
Several foods can help ‘naturally’ induce a period, although there is no scientific evidence behind these claims. Some food you can try to regulate your period includes papaya, pineapple, turmeric and spicy food.
How do you treat irregular periods?
You can try some home remedies if you have just started getting irregular periods. These might help you get regular periods naturally. If the problem persists, please seek medical advice from your doctor.
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We hope you’ll find these tips for irregular periods useful. And remember, if these don’t help you, we suggest you visit a doctor for medical intervention.
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