• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Irregular menstruation is the most frequent reason why women visit physicians, but it's usually brushed off as 'normal' hormonal variation. Physicians assert that though the menstrual cycle may be slightly different every month, chronically irregular periods can be a sign of some underlying condition like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal condition in 1 out of every 10 women of childbearing age and a frequent source of infertility, yet its symptoms usually start with irregular cycles.

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Anjali Kumar, Senior Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram explained how irregular periods can sometimes be a sign of PCOS.

How Are Irregular Periods Linked To PCOS?

A regular cycle lasts 21 to 35 days with menses three to seven days. If the cycles are unusually brief, extremely prolonged, missed for months, or accompanied by very heavy or light flow, the flag goes up. It is advised by gynaecologists that if a woman receives fewer than eight periods during a year or if her periods cease for three months without leading to pregnancy, one should not take it lightly. Such fluctuations usually result from hormonal imbalance in the ovaries, thyroid or pituitary gland and PCOS is one of the most prevalent offenders.

ALSO READ: Doctor Shares Why PCOS In Your 20s Deserves More Attention

In PCOS, the ovaries also secrete extra androgens (male hormones), disturbing the usual release of eggs. This is followed by anovulation or irregular ovulation which immediately causes absent or irregular periods. Physicians observe that irregular cycles come with other signs such as acne, weight gain, thinning hair on the scalp and excess facial or body hair growth. All women also have difficulty losing weight, dark spots on the neck or armpits (acanthosis nigricans) and mood swings, all of which are clustered in the clinical picture of PCOS.

But not every irregular period is caused by PCOS. Stress, severe weight loss, overexercise, thyroid disease, and even perimenopause can cause disruption of the cycle. This is why physicians advise medical testing if abnormal cycles are occurring for longer than three to six months. A gynaecologist will normally do a pelvic ultrasound to look for ovarian cysts and request blood tests to ascertain hormone levels. Early diagnosis is necessary because undiagnosed PCOS suppresses fertility but also increases long-term risks for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer.

ALSO READ: Irregular Periods? Doctor Explains Top Hormonal And Health Causes That Every Woman Should Know

Lifestyle changes—maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and consuming a balanced diet are emphasised by experts as having the ability to control cycles in the majority of instances of PCOS. For others, medications like hormonal birth control or insulin-sensitising medication may be given to level things out. And while an occasional irregular cycle is not likely to concern, habitual interruptions are the body's way of letting us know that something deeper is at play. Being aware of when irregular cycles may be a sign of PCOS is the first step towards early intervention and better reproductive health.