![]() However, if the cause could be an eating disorder, the doctor may refer the person to a therapist for an assessment. A person may have unintentionally lost weight, in which case, nutritional counseling may help. How doctors approach underweight depends on the cause. A doctor may calculate a person’s BMI to see if this could be the cause of irregular periods. Using the body mass index (BMI), a person has underweight if their BMI is lower than 18.5. The medical term for it is hypothalamic amenorrhea, and it leads to an estrogen deficiency. This happens when parts of the brain stop releasing hormones that impact the menstrual cycle. If someone has hyperthyroidism, the doctor may recommend medication to reduce thyroid function, radiotherapy targeting the thyroid, or the surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid.Įxcessive or rapid weight loss can cause periods to become less regular or stop. If a person has hypothyroidism, the doctor prescribes medication that replaces the missing thyroid hormones. They also ask about symptoms and take a medical history. To diagnose thyroid disease, a doctor requests a blood test that checks levels of thyroid hormones. A person with this condition may also experience unexplained weight loss, anxiety, and heart palpitations. Other symptoms include tiredness, sensitivity to cold, and weight gain.Īn overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, can cause shorter, lighter periods. Having an underactive thyroid - a condition called hypothyroidism - means that the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. These have an influence on the menstrual cycle. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormones. Some people also find that their symptoms improve after they lose any excess weight, start avoiding high sugar foods, or both. Otherwise, hormonal birth control may help regulate the person’s cycle. If they are, medication to induce ovulation may help. The treatment depends on whether the person is trying to get pregnant. There is no single test for PCOS, so a doctor bases the diagnosis on symptoms, blood test results, and an ultrasound scan to look for cysts on the ovaries. ![]() ![]() People with PCOS may miss periods and have heavy bleeding when periods do arrive. This can stop ovulation, resulting in irregular periods. People with this condition often have high levels of androgens, which are male sex hormones. Irregular periods are the most common sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which occurs when cysts grow in the ovaries. Learn more about why stress happens and how to manage it. There are many stress reduction techniques that people can try. However, chronic stress is harmful to mental and physical health.Ī person who frequently feels stressed, for any reason, may find it helpful to speak with a mental health professional, who can talk feelings through and teach ways of reducing stress. In the short-term, stress can help people respond to threatening situations. These can interact with the sex hormones that regulate menstruation. When a person is stressed, the body releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. Those with higher self-reported stress were more likely to have longer, heavier periods. Out of 210 participants, 54% reported changes in their menstrual cycles in the early months of the pandemic. Scientists confirmed this in 2021 by conducting a retrospective study on cycle regularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. High stress levels are associated with irregular periods. For example, if a person experiences vaginal dryness, lubricants and vaginal moisturizers may help, while estrogen therapy may help with hot flashes. The right approach depends on the changes. Some of the changes that they bring can be uncomfortable or distressing, however, and doctors can recommend ways to minimize the impact. Menopause and perimenopause are natural stages of life, not health problems that require treatment. They may also perform tests to rule out other factors that can have the same effects, such as thyroid disease. Other possible signs of perimenopause include:ĭoctors can identify perimenopause by performing blood tests. Eventually, periods happen less often, and they stop altogether when menopause begins. Perimenopause is the first stage of menopause, and it begins 4–8 years before menopause starts, usually when a person is in their 40s.ĭuring perimenopause, the menstrual cycle may get longer or shorter at various points.
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