The menstrual cycle is something that all women have in common. The norm is for period cycles to change as women age, in a process called menopause (which usually happens between ages 45 and 55). There are also many other reasons why your menstrual periods may be irregular. Short periods of stress, traveling, weight changes, hormonal imbalances, and pregnancy can also have an effect on your period. Some medications, such as birth control pills, will affect your menstrual cycle. This article will explore some of the causes of period irregularities and why age plays such an important role in menstrual changes.
How Periods Work And Why They Change With Age
Women have ovaries that release estrogen and progesterone (the “female hormones”). These hormones cause the lining of the uterus to form and build up. Then, the lining is ready for a fertilized egg to attach and develop. But, if no egg is fertilized, the lining breaks down and is discarded as a period (bleeding). The same process happens all over again, repeating itself monthly.
Most women will get their period at around 11-13 years of age, although the exact age can greatly vary. This marks the beginning of puberty for teenage girls. The period cycle, in a healthy woman, will repeat monthly until she reaches menopausal age.
The average age for menopause is 51 years old, but it can happen as early as 40 or as late as 60. The change in your menstrual cycle is a normal part of aging since there is a reduction in the total level of hormones circulating in the body, leading to your body no longer producing eggs. Menopause is usually accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes
- Low libido
- Weight gain
- Vaginal dryness
These are all normal progressions of female health. However, period irregularities can surge due to different conditions and factors.
There Are Many Reasons Why Your Menstrual Periods May Be Irregular
There are many reasons why your menstrual periods may be irregular. This is usually a side effect of hormonal imbalances caused by many different factors. In general, some of the reasons for changes in your cycle include:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Stress, including emotional and physical stress
- Excessive exercise
- Very low body fat percentage (hormone production involves using fat storage in the body)
As we mentioned, hormonal imbalances can also cause menstrual irregularities. These types of imbalances include anovulation, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. It’s important to get your blood tested for hormone levels and see a doctor if you think your period cycle has changed due to any of these conditions in order to get appropriate treatment.
Stress Can Alter Your Cycle
Stress can cause all sorts of negative effects on your body. For example, if you’re experiencing severe depression or anxiety during times of high stress, this could cause your body to produce more prolactin (a hormone that interferes with the production of estrogen) and suppress menstruation.
Reducing your stress and leading a healthy lifestyle can help with hormone regulation and improve your period cycles. Follow these steps to improve your routine:
- Eat a well-balanced diet. include plenty of fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, and reduce your refined sugar and saturated fat intake.
- Exercise regularly. Get at least 4-5 workout sessions in your week and be consistent.
- Good quality sleep daily. Try to sleep for at least 7 hours each night (8-9 is optimal).
- Engage in activities that bring you joy and make you feel calm. Try to meditate and do breathing exercises to reduce your stress.
Traveling and Periods
Traveling may affect your period. Traveling for a long time can disrupt your body’s internal clock and circadian rhythm, making your hormones out of whack. Traveling can also be stressful on your body, which has been proven to affect your period.
Excessive Exercise Is Just As Bad As No Exercise
Excessive exercise can also cause amenorrhea or the absence of menstrual periods. If you regularly engage in intense exercise for more than three hours a day, you may experience this condition. Exercise-induced amenorrhea is usually caused by stress, extreme weight, and fat loss, or hormonal imbalances.
Birth Control Pills Make A Big Difference
The pill can cause spotting or bleeding between periods. The hormones in the pill can also make your periods lighter or longer or heavier and shorter.
Conclusion
As you can see, many factors influence the menstrual cycle. Clearly, the most important change, menopause, comes with age and is completely normal. This change happens due to the lower production of female hormones that result in the production of eggs stopping. However, menopause isn’t the only thing that can result in period irregularities throughout a woman’s lifetime. If you have been getting irregular periods, it’s best to get your blood tested and speak to a doctor about your results to determine the need for treatment and further testing.
Key Takeaways
- Menopause is a normal stage of a woman’s life and usually starts between ages 45-55 (although it can happen before or after).
- Menopause is caused due to lower production of female hormones.
- Other factors can affect your menstrual cycle.
- Getting tested and discussing your results with your doctor can help determine the cause of period irregularities.