Hi,
It’s probably a good idea to see a gynecologist or your family doctor if you have an unpredictable cycle, especially if you have been menstruating for a few years. An irregular menstrual cycle may be caused by a variety of factors, one of which is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this condition the body produces androgens, which are male hormones, in much higher levels than normal. Symptoms of PCOS include thinning hair on the head with hair growth on the face, excessive acne, and weight gain or obesity. If you have suffered from symptoms like this in addition to having an irregular menstrual cycle, you should see a doctor. Standard treatment of PCOS may include a combination of medications.
Other causes of irregular menstruation can include low thyroid — an imbalance of hormones produced by the endocrine system. Malnutrition, especially those resulting from eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, are also culprits of irregularity. Sometimes high performance athletes have their periods stop completely, which is called amenorrhea. Doctors may not always be able to determine a specific cause, but they are likely to investigate the matter with a full gynecological exam. An ultrasound of the pelvic region and blood tests may also be required.
In most cases, chronic irregular menstrual cycle is treated with birth control pills. Women trying to get pregnant will need to look to alternative solutions. Changing diet or lowering stress can sometimes help regulate the menstrual cycle. Additionally, women who are trying to get pregnant may use fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation.
Sexually active women should always view a single irregular menstrual cycle as a potential indicator of pregnancy. If you have been sexually active in the last couple of months, it’s important to take a pregnancy test to see if it has caused a very light period or a period’s failure to manifest. Some women, unaware of being pregnant early on, may get a period several weeks late that actually represents a miscarriage.
Let us know if you need any further information.
Regards.
I'm soo familiar with this! You don't say how old you are, but if you are over 40 it could be perimenopausal hormonal changes. That is the most frequent cause of bleeding like this. Other problems to be considered are...fibroids, polyps, endometrial hyperplasia.
If the problem is hormonal the doc can give you some progestins - natural or synthetic to regulate the cycle. You mentioned you don't feel bloating, etc. but you don't have to with this kind of bleeding. Bloating, water retention, pms symptoms usually happen with ovulatory cycles, perhaps you're not ovulating?
First thing is you should see a gynecologist and let him/her evaluate the cause of dysfunctional bleeding and take it from there.
Is there a possibility you could be pregnant? I had the same type of bleeding when I was pregnant. One time it was because I was having a miscarriage.
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