25% Of Women Experience It. Let's Talk About Irregular Periods.
- Alex Morris
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Most women don’t have perfectly predictable periods and that’s okay. A cycle that lasts
around 28 days, with bleeding for four to seven days, is considered typical, but many of us
experience some variation.
If your period feels anything but regular, maybe it shows up unexpectedly, brings intense pain, or happens too often, you’re not alone. Irregular periods affect around 1 in 4 women and can be your body’s way of telling you something’s out of balance, whether it’s hormonal,
gynaecological, or linked to your overall wellbeing.
Ready to understand what’s really going on? I’ve broken down the basics of irregular
periods to help you feel more in tune with your cycle and take the next step towards
getting answers.
Defining “normal” periods
Let’s start by defining “normal”: every woman is different. Some women have heavy periods; for others, it’s lighter. But, as a rule, your period should last between two and seven days, with the entire cycle lasting between 21 and 35 days.
That’s the average for most people.
Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of bleeding and ends on the next cycle’s first day of bleeding. So, your period marks the start of each cycle.
If you experience some discomfort, unfortunately, that’s pretty normal. Known as
“dysmenorrhea,” pain during menstruation is felt by more than half of women, usually for a
couple of days. The pain involves mild cramping alongside symptoms like headache, dizziness,and diarrhoea.
What is an irregular period?
We’ve defined normal, an irregular period is simply the opposite. It’s classified as any period that occurs for less than 2 days or more than 7 days. Often, the most defining feature is an
irregular menstrual cycle, one that fluctuates wildly from month to month.
It’s not just the cycle’s tempo that changes. You might experience debilitating pain, find that your tampon needs changing almost hourly; the standard is around every four to eight hours, or it’s impossible to predict when your period will start.
You’ll often hear doctors and nurses use some pretty complicated terms about irregular periods.
Here’s your cheat sheet to avoid any confusion:
Amenorrhea: When your periods stop completely.
Oligomenorrhea: Infrequent or widely spaced periods.
Dysmenorrhea: Painful or cramp filled periods.
Heavy menstrual bleeding: Unusually heavy or prolonged bleeding during your period.
Abnormal uterine bleeding: Spotting or bleeding between periods.
Polymenorrhea: Having periods more often than normal (typically less than 21 days
apart).
These are also the different types of irregular periods. So, remember, just because your
irregular periods aren’t like someone else’s doesn’t mean there isn’t anything going on.
Irregular period symptoms
Not sure what to look for? If you’re struggling with irregular periods, you should have some of these symptoms:
Skipped periods or missing periods
Periods more than 35 days apart or less than 21 days apart
Unusually heavy or light bleeding
Spotting between periods
Periods that last longer than 7 days
Severe cramping or pain
Changes in cycle length month to month
Nausea or fatigue around periods
Mood swings or irritability
Breast tenderness outside typical timing
What are the causes of irregular periods?
There isn’t a single cause of irregular periods. Several different conditions and factors can lead to your periods becoming irregular. The most common causes of irregular periods include:
Pregnancy: The most obvious cause: if you’re pregnant, you will stop ovulating, meaning no more periods for the next nine months.
Stress: Severe stress; either physical or mental, can alter your menstrual cycle. Women with higher levels of perceived stress had a greater chance of irregular periods. The same is true for intense exercise, e.g., marathon running or resistance training.
Weight Changes: Gaining lots of weight or losing weight can trigger fluctuations in your menstrual cycle. Psychiatric conditions like anorexia or binge eating, in particular, can cause irregular periods.
Birth Control Pills: Some types of birth control, especially progestin only options, can stop your period or cause irregular spotting.
Smoking: Add another problem to smoking’s wrap list. Cigarette use is tied to premature menopause, meaning it can cause your periods to stop earlier than usual.
Of course, if you’re reading this article, you’re probably not dealing with one of the items above. Your cause is either hormonal or gynaecological. These causes of irregular periods include:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): One of the most common causes of irregular
periods, PCOS affects hormone levels and ovulation. You might also notice symptoms
like acne, unwanted hair growth, or difficulty getting pregnant.
Thyroid disorders: An underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism)
thyroid can throw your cycle off balance since your thyroid hormones regulate
menstruation.
Endometriosis or fibroids: These gynaecological conditions can cause pain, heavy
bleeding, and spotting between periods, all signs your cycle isn’t running smoothly.
High prolactin levels: A hormone usually associated with breastfeeding, high prolactin
can sometimes show up in women who aren’t pregnant or nursing, disrupting ovulation
and menstruation.
Perimenopause: If you’re in your 40s or early 50s, your period might start arriving
earlier, later, or skipping altogether as your body transitions into menopause.
Can you get irregular periods with Endometriosis?
Yes. One of the most severe conditions I deal with in my patients is Endometriosis. The
condition occurs when the lining of the womb (endometrium) is found outside of the uterus, usually around the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The result? Each month, women experience significant pain and discomfort during their period. This might be severe cramping pains, pain during sex, or general abdominal pain. However, the most common symptom is an irregular period.
Given that it takes, on average, 7.5 years for someone with endometriosis to be diagnosed, it’s well worth getting checked out if you’re dealing with irregular periods, severe pain, and no concrete diagnosis.
Is it normal to have irregular periods during breastfeeding?
Yes, in fact, it’s completely normal.
When you’re breastfeeding, your level of prolactin shoots up. This is the hormone that helps you make milk. The problem? Well, prolactin has an inhibitory effect on ovulation, which means yourmenstrual cycle may be delayed, irregular, or even absent for a while.
Don’t panic, as breastfeeding declines, your hormones begin to shift again, and your cycle
returns to normal.
That said, if your periods return and become very heavy or painful, or you’re unsure whether what you're experiencing is normal, it’s always a good idea to check in with your GP or gynaecologist.
How to treat irregular periods
If you’re dealing with irregular periods, there’s good news and bad news.
The good news is that for the majority of women, it’s a relatively easy problem to solve. First off, take a pregnancy test. If that comes back negative, look at your lifestyle. Are you stressed, not eating, or pushing yourself physically to the max? If so, there’s your answer.
It’s still worth booking a quick chat with your GP to get some routine blood tests.
Of course, if your symptoms persist and you suspect hormonal or gynaecological causes, then that’s bad news. Managing conditions like Endometriosis, fibroids, or PCOS requires specialist care. Unfortunately, as the diagnostic delay demonstrates, the NHS isn’t always the best option for fast, reliable care.
What you need is someone who truly understands what you’re going through, someone who’s walked the same path. That’s exactly why I do what I do. I support women dealing with
gynaecological conditions, gently guiding them through the ups and downs of diagnosis andtreatment. Together, we take a holistic look at your wellbeing; from stress and mindset to
nutrition and daily habits, so you feel supported every step of the way.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, I’d love to help. Book a free consultation, and we can talk about what’s going on, there's no pressure, just a caring
space for you to be heard.
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