Menstrual irregularities and treatment

Before discussing menstrual problems and treatment, let us first go through the normal menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle is a series of hormonal changes in the uterus and ovaries of the female reproductive system. Menstrual cycle usually lasts between 21 and 35 days. For menstruation to occur, the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis must function properly, along with the normal uterine tract

Table of content

1 Phases of menstrual cycle

2 How much delay in a cycle is considered normal ?

3.Causes of delayed menses?

4.What to do if periods are delayed(Treatment )

5 Lifestyle changes for irregular or delayed periods

6.Homeopathic treatment for delayed or irregular menses.

Phases of menstrual cycle.

1. MENSTRUAL PHASE

2. FOLLICULAR PHASE

3. OVULATION PHASE

4. LUTEAL PHASE

Menstrual phase

• First phase of the cycle

• Last for 3-7 days

• Hormones ( estrogen and progesterone ) drop during this phase.

• Uterine lining called endometrium is thinnest during this phase

• During this phase , the uterus sheds its inner lining through vagina in the form of fluid, the fluid loss during menstruation is 35-50ml

Follicular phase-

• This phase is also called as proliferative phase

• Starts from first day of menstrual cycle till 14th day (ovulation)

• Estrogen rises during this phase

• Follicular phase overlaps with menstrual phase.

• During this phase the pituitary gland releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH),in the blood which stimulates the follicles in the ovary , around 15 -20 follicles are generated , but only one follicle matures into egg, and continues producing estrogen.

• Uterine lining thickens in preparation for the possible pregnancy in this phase.

Ovulation phase

• This phase usually happens two weeks before your next period, lasting for 16 to 32 hours .

• During this phase the mature egg is released from the ovary and travels through fallopian tube to the uterus , the mature egg stays in fallopian tube for 24 hours ,

• If the egg is fertilized, then it grows in the fallopian tube for 4 days and slowly moves into the uterus on the 5th day, if the egg doesn't get fertilized by the sperm , it slowly disintegrates.

Luteal phase

• This phase is also called as secretory phase

• This phase starts from the 15th to 28th day

• During this phase, the pituitary hormones FSH and LH ,transform the dominant follicle into corpus luteum.

• In this phase progesterone level increases and estrogen level drops..

• If the egg gets fertilized, the corpus luteum keeps producing progesterone to maintain the uterine lining , if pregnancy doesn't happen , corpus luteum breaks down , progesterone levels fall ,uterine lining sheds ,and the cycle starts again with menstruation.

How much delay in periods is considered normal , if not pregnant ?

Ideally a normal menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days , which means calculating your first day of menses as day one, after 28 days , your next period starts .But this varies from women to women ,however some women experience shorter or longer cycle from 21 days to 35 days, which means 5 to 7 days delay is considered normal , if pregnancy is ruled out .

If the previous cycle is normal , and you have confirmed pregnancy test negative, then you can check for other causes of delayed menses mentioned below.

Causes of delayed menses?

• Stress,

• Recently started periods usually show irregular patterns.

• Substantial changes in weight ,either weight gain or loss

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Ingestion of contraceptive pills or progesterone only pill

• Chronic disease like thyroid disorders, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

• Diabetes , poorly managed blood sugar ,can fluctuate your cycle date as insulin affects your hormone balance .

• High cortisol level (cushing syndrome )can cause irregular menses or amenorrhea (absent menses)

• Premature ovarian insufficiency - when ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40 , causing irregular or missed periods

What to do, if periods are delayed?(treatment)

• First and foremost thing to do, for missed periods is UPT test ( urine pregnancy test ), UPT kit is easily available in any pharmacy ,this test is easily done at home ,a urine pregnancy test detects the presence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is produced after fertilized egg attaches to uterine lining. If the test comes negative ,(shows only one pink line on C ),then check for the other causes, like

• certain medications can affect menstrual cycles , consult your doctor if you are on long term medication ,

• Go for CBC ( complete blood count ) to see if you are anemic , many times period is delayed if your body doesn't have enough iron stores

• Next to the list is thyroid disorders , both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause irregular periods

What Lifestyle changes should you make if you have irregular or delayed menses / periods?

• Manage stress , high amount of stress can disrupt hormonal balance , to combat stress try relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga.

• Maintain a healthy diet -include a lot of fruits , vegetables in your diet , avoid processed food , sugary drinks , which spikes your blood sugar level.

• Exercise moderately -while exercise is good for overall health, but intense workouts can sometime delay periods

What diet should you take if you have irregular periods ?

• Include anti-inflammatory food in your diet like berries, turmeric , ginger and green leafy vegetables, which reduces inflammation and helps in balancing hormones.

• Add iron rich food in your diet -like spinach lentils , red meat and pumpkin seeds , iron helps to regulate the menstrual cycle by increasing your hemoglobin levels, if menses are delayed due to low levels of iron.

• Eat healthy fats- like avocados , nuts seeds, and olive oil ,as steroid hormones are fat based hormones ,

• Increase protein intake - lean meats , fish , tofu , eggs, etc. protein increases energy levels and proper functioning of hormonal system in our body

• Limit processed food- high intake of sugary food ,can lead to insulin spikes, and can worsen hormonal imbalances

• Herbal teas - ginger and chamomile tea helps to reduce menstrual discomfort.

Homeopathic treatment for delayed menses.

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole, rather than just focusing on a specific disease or symptom. Practitioners take into account the person’s physical, emotional, and psychological state ,when selecting a remedy, aiming to restore balance to the individual’s overall health.

Mentioning a few homeopathic medicines for delayed menses ,but as stated above, medicines are selected considering the person as a whole ,and not only the disease state ,homeopathy believes each person is different from another ,so do his symptoms and treatment .

Homeopathic medicine for irregular menses

CIMICIFUGA- Delayed menses or amenorrhea , caused by emotional disturbances or stress , patient is very sensitive to cold ,menses are irregular ,with ovarian neuralgia, with pain across the pelvis from hip to hip ,all the symptoms are worse during menstruation , mentally patient is sad , gloomy and low spirited

GRAPHITES.-Delayed menses , with history of scanty flow and short duration of menses ,especially given to women of climacteric age, and who also has habitual constipation music increases makes her weep and increases her sufferings.

KALI CARBONICUM-Delayed menses in young girls , with previous history of scanty flow and short duration of menses , with constant backache during menses sharp cutting pain which is better by motion , mentally the patient is anxious and never likes to be alone.

NATRUM MURIATICUM-First menstruation at puberty is delayed, patient is anemic, having great weakness and weariness, mentally depressed but consolation aggravates, history of irregular menses , either too early or late , or too scanty or profuse