Remedies for the Irregular Menstrual Cycle

A menstrual cycle is defined as irregular, which takes place at a different time compared to the normal range (24-35 days; the most common interval is 28 days).

Another sign of irregularity is the "jump in the cycle", although up to 3 times a year it can be considered physiological. The absence of recurrent menstruation is also logically included among the irregularities.

From the statistical and diagnostic point of view, it is considered "cycle irregularity" when the duration exceeds 15% of the standard deviation. Simply put, an interval of 18-40 days is still considered "borderline".

Another form of irregularity in menstruation is the amount of bleeding: too little (oligomenorrhea) or abundant (polymenorrhea). Usually, the change of 3-7 absorbents per day (approximate average term) is called "normal".

NB . When the irregular menstrual cycle is abundant (menorrhagia), it is often also very painful.

What to do

In doubt that the menstrual cycle is irregular it is advisable:

• Investigate if it could be a genetic tendency (for example from the mother or grandmothers).
• Carefully assess the level of psychological stress (it can have a significant impact).
• Make sure that any excess bleeding is not due to the introduction of foreign bodies into the vagina; for example, contraceptive intrauterine devices.
• Make sure the lifestyle is adequate:
• Sleep-wake rhythms.
• Meal cadence.
• Habits of dubious healthiness (abuse of drugs, alcohol, nervine substances, etc.).
• Consider any defects in nutritional status; the cycle can be very irregular or sometimes absent in the event of:
• Avoid underweight (BMI <18.5), typical of some eating disorders.
• Maintain a normal percentage of fat (the lack of fat is not always part of the underweight; women who practice bodybuilding are a prime example of this).
• Preventing generalized malnutrition.
• Practice physical and motor sport with reasonable volume and intensity.

• Suspend any unnecessary drugs or food supplements, especially those based on hormonal precursors, stimulants, etc.
• Consult your doctor (better a gynecologist) who will carefully evaluate the diagnostic investigations to be undertaken to investigate possible:
• Uterine development anomalies (eg polycystic ovary).
• Hormonal dysfunctions of the brain.
• Hormonal dysfunctions of other peripheral glands.
• Anemia and blood corpuscular abnormalities.
• Miscarriage; it can go unnoticed in the first few days and cause irregular menstruation. Invasive medical treatment is required.
• Early menopause.
• Endometrial tumor or other neoplasms.
• Pregnancy complications (eg extra uterine pregnancy)
• Infections of the uterus.
• Endometriosis.

What NOT to do

• Do not consult the gynecologist and ignore the condition for a long time or, even worse, definitively; sometimes early diagnosis is essential.
• Make use of intrauterine contraceptives or overly invasive sex toys.
• Follow a very stressful lifestyle without caring about the repercussions it could have on the nervous (and therefore hormonal) balance.
• Sleeping little or not respecting work shifts.
• Skip meals or eat only once a day.
• Abuse alcohol or use drugs
• Don't care about your nutritional status:
• Stay underweight.
• Conceal the onset of eating disorders (especially anorexia nervosa).
• Reach or maintain a lower body fat percentage than normal.
• Follow unbalanced or extreme diets.
• Practice physical-motor sports with volume and intensity beyond the reasonable threshold for long periods.
• Take medicines or food supplements that could affect your menstrual cycle (including some contraceptive pills).

What to eat

Diet plays a fundamental role only when the irregular cycle has a nutritional etiology. In this case it is necessary to rely on a dietician or nutritionist.

• If menstruation remains compromised by malnutrition of vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids and essential fatty acids it becomes necessary:
• Follow a normocaloric diet that satisfies all the compromised needs.
• If the cycle has worsened due to underweight and lack of adipose tissue:
• Respect a high calorie nutritional scheme (+ 10% of energy) in order to restore a suitable weight and body composition.
• If the losses are such as to create anemia or vice versa the latter worsens the irregularity of menstruation (sometimes both):
• Increase the consumption of foods rich in: haem iron (meat, offal, fish, eggs), folic acid (fresh vegetables and fruits), cobalamin (foods of animal origin) and vitamin C (sour fruit and many vegetables).
• If menstruation is complicated by an alteration of the generalized hormonal axis, take care of the intake of mineral salts that could be involved in the endocrine deficiency (copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, etc.).

What NOT to Eat

There are no foods that worsen the regularity of the cycle.

It is logical to think that by preferring some nutritionally poorer ones (vitamins and mineral salts) or by altering the nutritional balance, the situation can be aggravated.

It becomes necessary to avoid:

• Dietary regimes exclusively consisting of foods of vegetable origin.
• Dietary regimes exclusively consisting of foods of animal origin.
• Monothematic diets.
• Diets mainly based on cooked and preserved foods.
• Nutritional schemes based on replacement meals or supplements.
• Alcohol abuse.

Natural Cures and Remedies

There are no natural remedies for many irregular cycle causes.

• If the reason is not known and the alteration is slight:
• Salvia officinalis: in extract form it can be taken in 15-20 drops 2 times a day or as an infusion of flowers or leaves for 1-2 cups a day.
• Parsley: it is part of folk medicine; using it in all recipes many women admit to having found an improvement in regularity. It is recommended to be careful because it has a toxic dose that is not very high.
• If the cause is a defect in estrogen secretion, it may prove useful:
• Soy phytoestrogens or isoflavones: 1-2 tablets per day (up to 3-4 months).
• Red phytoestrogens or isoflavones: 1-2 tablets per day (up to 3-4 months).
• If the cause is a slight but generalized alteration of the hormonal axes, it is advisable to take food supplements based on: copper, zinc and manganese.
• If the cause is global food, it is necessary to regularize the diet and start a complete food integration path.
• If the cause is an anemic form, the dietary supplementation with iron, folic acid and cobalamin (vit B12) can be very useful.
• If the cause is stress, it is recommended to undertake activities dedicated to reducing the levels of discomfort: yoga, advanced relaxation, mental training, psychotherapy, etc.

Pharmacological care

Pharmacological treatment is closely related to the causative agent; on the other hand, when the intent is to regularize the cycle in the absence of pathologies, doctors can choose to administer:

• Progestin and estrogenic drugs: when the irregular menstrual cycle is caused by a defect of the specific hormonal axis.
• Coagulants and reinforcing the uterine wall: used above all in the case of hypermenorrhea.
• Antidepressants and antipsychotics: exploited especially when the irregular menstrual cycle is due to pathologies or mental symptoms quite intense; also applies to eating disorders.
• Painkillers: when the cycle is very painful.

Prevention

The prevention of irregular cycles is based solely on common sense:

• In case of hereditary defect, undertake a gynecological treatment or establish a well-organized follow-up with close checks.
• Eat properly.
• In the case of competitive sports, pay close attention to the body mass index and the balance between the masses (lean and fat).
• Prevent excessive stress loads, organize life properly and get enough sleep.
• Avoid abuse and the use of harmful products (drugs, drugs, special supplements, etc.).

Medical Treatments

Among the medical remedies for the irregular menstrual cycle we also recognize the specific diagnostic investigations:

• Gynecological endoscopic examination and possible biopsy.
• Blood test: to evaluate hormone levels, the consistency of the blood corpusculum, hemoglobin, ferritin, etc.
• Uterine scraping: it is necessary in case of miscarriage.
• Surgery: it becomes fundamental for diseases such as endometriosis, severe polycystic ovary, tumors, etc.