Some women experience barely-there periods, while other women are not so lucky. Irregular, abnormal, painful, inconvenient, stressful, messy—these are all words that many women, just like you, have used to describe their period. Irregular periods may seem common but they can be a sign of a deeper issue and should not be overlooked.
What Is The Cause Of Irregular Periods?
In some cases, irregular periods can be caused by uterine fibroids. Fibroids, also called myomas or leiomyomas, are benign tumors that form in the uterus. Fibroids can cause heavy periods, prolonged periods, lower back pain, pelvic pressure, and pain during sex. The prolonged, heavy blood flow can also cause anemia, leading to fatigue.
Women with fibroids may experience bleeding for more than 10 days per month. There may also be two or three days of excessive, heavy menstrual bleeding. Fibroids can also cause spotting in between periods. In rare cases, uterine fibroids may lead to even more serious problems, such as blockage of the urinary tract or infertility.
The symptoms of uterine fibroids are very similar to those of endometrial cancer. This is why it is very important you pay close attention to your menstrual cycle and notify your doctor immediately if you notice any consistent changes. Endometrial cancer is a rare condition that affects less than 200,000 women each year. This condition can still be very harmful to your body, and may even affect fertility.
Other Causes of an Irregular Period
Even though having an irregular period is a common symptom of uterine fibroids, there may be other reasons behind your period’s irregularity. These may include:
- Chronic stress
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Overactive thyroid
- Premenopause
- Pregnancy or breast feeding
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Low body mass index (BMI)
- Overexercising
- Changing your contraception (IUD, birth control, etc.)
It’s important to track any changes you notice in order to see what could be causing your irregular period. This will make it easier to explain to a doctor what you’ve been experiencing.
When To Worry About an Irregular Period
Having an irregular period can be confusing and alarming. Everything was fine for so long, why are you now experiencing problems? As we go through different stages of life, hormone levels change. The change is hormones often causes changes to menstruation. Irregular periods can be normal, simply indicating an ongoing hormonal transition in your body. Uterine fibroids can cause a lot of pain and discomfort to those diagnosed. Pay close attention to your period and address anything abnormal immediately. You shouldn’t always assume your period symptoms are normal. It’s important to get checked if you’re at risk to avoid uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are very unpredictable, but they can be treated. Our team of experienced doctors and staff are committed to providing every patient with top-quality care for uterine fibroids. At USA Fibroid Centers, we want you to know that removal of the uterus is not the only option to get rid of your fibroid symptoms. We exclusively offer Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), which is over 90 percent effective at alleviating the symptoms of uterine fibroids. This procedure can be done in as little as 15 minutes, and requires no downtime for recovery.
Reach out to us today at 855.615.2555 for everything you need to know about treatment, insurance, and everything else in between.
