8 Signs That Indicate Menstrual Irregularity

Menstrual irregularity can have to do with many different gynecological problems. Learn to detect this condition as early as possible.

Faced with menstrual irregularity, it is best to stop and think about the possible signals that we may have received from our body. That headache, increased pain in the belly area, changes in our vaginal discharge, and so on.

Many problems related to preconception and pregnancy are caused by menstrual irregularity. That is, if our menstrual cycle is regular, we have more opportunities to plan a pregnancy or, failing that, to avoid it. However, we do not always know to what extent our menstrual cycle is regular or not.

Here are some signs to know if you have menstrual irregularity.

Menstrual irregularity

Although we think we know quite well how our body works, we always have doubts about how “normal” we can be. For this reason, we are disturbed by the changes that occur in our body.

Changes in the female body can cause irregularities that end up being normal. In nature there are no straight lines, so sometimes our fertile period can be shorter or longer than another, but never “perfect” as we wish.

First of all, we must remember that the female body prepares every month for a pregnancy, even when we are not planning it. This is the biological rhythm of our body. In fact, almost everything in life is made up of cycles. In the case of women, the most popular (and obvious) is the menstrual cycle.

Variations from one menstrual cycle to another occur frequently. However, in general terms a woman maintains her “regularity” when the cycle occurs within the expected. That is, a previous experience guides it. When the cycle no longer occurs in the same way, and also continues to vary several times more, it is understood to be a menstrual irregularity.

Any irregularity that we are able to identify, we must mention it to our doctor.

Do you know your menstrual cycle well?

As the body changes and other factors play a role, irregularities may begin to appear . Under normal conditions, a woman begins to present her menstrual cycle between the ages of 11 and 14, and in most cases, they are usually regular.

The NorthShore University HealthSystem researchers explain that the menstrual cycle is measured from the first day of menstruation. This cycle ends the day before the next period. To consider that the cycle is regular, it is necessary to take into account different characteristics of each woman.

Variations are common among women and even within herself. A period can be considered normal even when the dates do not correspond or there are severe symptoms.

Under normal conditions a woman is able to anticipate the arrival of her next period. This allows you to forecast and track your other cycles.

What are the characteristics of a regular menstrual cycle?

We know that sometimes we receive surprises regarding our health. We can believe that everything is fine and it is not, or we can deny what seems wrong to us. However, there is a way to know our cycle and make sure it is regular.

Here are eight normal signs of a cycle:

• The average length of the cycle is 28 days. It is considered normal even when the duration is between 21 and 36 days.
• The period lasts a maximum of 7 days and a minimum of 2.
• Vaginal secretions during the ovulation period are elastic and light.
• Abdominal, leg and / or back pain a few days before your period.
• Breast tenderness
• Difficulty getting to sleep.
• Bad mood, tension, or depression.
• Swelling and fluid retention.

As we can see, although certain symptoms seem abnormal to us, they are part of the regularity of the cycle. Especially the length of the period and the cycle in general, allow us to more accurately determine our fertility phase.

How do we identify an irregular period?

When the cycle is irregular it is easy to notice it, even so many women can live with that situation without worrying. Specialists recommend that women learn about how our period works in order to take care of our feminine health.

In the same way, it is necessary to be attentive to the changes that may occur from one moment to another. For example, let’s evaluate if the cycle length this time is shorter or longer than usual. Other aspects to take into account are the following:

• Check the amount and texture of your flow. It may become heavier or lighter than before. Ask yourself if you’ve had to change your pad more often.
• Observe and record if there has been bleeding between one period and another.
• You feel more intense pain when you are menstruating.
• You associate some changes with your period, for example your behavior is different or something in particular happens during that stage.

In the case of menstruation, it is easy to notice if things are not quite right. However, it is very important not to neglect ourselves, it is convenient to keep a record of our cycle even when it runs regularly.