How is mentrual cycle regulated?

The female reproductive system releases an egg every month. It also prepares the uterus for a pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining. If this egg is not fertilised i.e. the woman does not conceive, the uterine lining is expelled from the body in the form of a menstrual period. This is a normal process that begins at puberty and continues until a woman reaches menopause.

What Is A Normal Menstrual Cycle?

A menstrual cycle that lasts for 28-35 days is considered normal. This count begins from day one of a period to the first day of the next one. A woman should be able to approximate the date of her next period. A few days here and there are normal. Periods may be accompanied by slight abdominal discomfort but this should not interfere with a woman’s everyday life. A normal period lasts for 4-5 days. The blood flow is usually high on the first and second days and wanes off after that.

When Should You Seek Help?

Every woman has irregular periods at some point of time or the other. Having one period that’s slightly delayed is not something to worry about. However, any prolonged deviation from this is considered abnormal. You should consult a doctor if:

• Your periods suddenly become irregular and you cannot approximate the week when you will have your next period
• You do not have a period for more than 3 months at a stretch
• You have more than 1 period in less than 21 days
• You have less than 1 period in more than 35 days
• Your periods suddenly become very painful
• The blood flow of your periods suddenly increases
• You have periods that last longer than 5-7 days

How to Regulate Menstrual Periods?

Irregular menstrual periods may be caused by many factors. Thus, it is treated in many different ways including the ones listed below:

Oral Contraceptives

Irregular periods account for 30-40% of all infertility cases. Hormonal irregularities are a common cause of irregular periods. Oral contraceptives can help regulate the production of these hormones. In this way, they help regulate the length of a menstrual cycle and the length of a period. They also control the thickness of the uterine lining. Thus, they reduce the menstrual blood flow. It can also help reduce cramps and abdominal pain associated with periods.

Pain Relievers

Over-the-counter pain relievers can be very helpful in treating abdominal pain and cramps caused by periods. These are particularly beneficial in the case of pain and menstrual irregularities caused by endometriosis. Using a heating pad may also help relieve abdominal pain.

Treatment for Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids that cause menstrual irregularities may be treated medically or surgically.
Medication to control bleeding and cramps is usually the first step of treatment. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists may also be prescribed to reduce the size of the fibroids. This, in turn, helps control heavy bleeding. In addition, iron supplements may be prescribed to prevent anaemia.
If the fibroids do not respond to medication, surgical options may be explored to remove the fibroids. This is referred to as a myomectomy. If the fibroids are too large, a hysterectomy may be required. This involves the removal of the fibroids along with the uterus.
A woman cannot become pregnant after this and hence, it is usually considered as a last resort. Uterine artery embolization is another radiological form of treatment of uterine fibroids. This involves cutting off the blood supply to the fibroid so that it shrinks and dies on its own.

Lifestyle Changes to Regulate Menstruation

Your lifestyle also contributes to hormone production and menstrual cycle regulation. Here are a few lifestyle changes that can help regulate your menstrual cycle.

1. Eat Balanced Diet
   For overweight and obese women, losing weight can help regulate menstruation. This is because fat cells can influence the production of hormones and utilization of insulin. However, extreme weight loss and being underweight can also cause irregular menstruation. Hence, it is important to maintain a healthy BMI. To do this, one must follow a well-balanced diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and lay off the junk food.
2. Exercise Regularly
   A balanced diet needs to be complemented by regular exercise for a woman to stay healthy and fit. Try to work out for at least 1 hour every day. You could start with something as simple as going for a walk or cycling. Exercise also helps manage pain and cramps caused by periods.
3. Meditation to reduce stress
   Stress is one of the common factors that contribute to irregular periods. Thus, being able to manage stress is essential for your fertility. Yoga and meditation have proved to be very beneficial in dealing with stress. Hence, you should consider setting some time aside every morning to meditate or practice yoga.