Irregular Periods

If you’re having problems with your menstrual cycle, from painful periods to skipped or stopped periods (amenorrhea), we can help.

It’s normal to have some changes to your period’s length and flow, especially when you’re starting puberty or approaching menopause. And mild pain and cramping aren’t typically cause for concern.

But sometimes irregular or painful periods are signs you may need care from experts specializing in women’s health. Many conditions can cause irregular periods, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Irregular periods can also affect your quality of life and your ability to get pregnant.

Symptoms of Irregular Periods

It’s normal for your period to change slightly from month to month and over the course of your life. But some irregularities may be signs of an underlying problem. These include:

Bleeding between periods
Periods more than 45 days or less than 21 days apart
Periods longer than seven days
Severe cramping or pain during or before your period
Irregular periods along with hair growth on your face, chin, chest or abdomen
Irregular periods along with difficulty getting pregnant
Skipped or stopped periods (amenorrhea) before you’re 45 years old

When to Seek Care for an Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Some causes of irregular periods, like PCOS or endometriosis, can be serious. If you have irregular or painful periods, make an appointment with an OB/GYN.

Before your visit, track your period cycle and symptoms using a notebook or app. This can give us a clearer picture of what’s causing your irregular periods.

How We Diagnose the Cause of Irregular Periods

When you come in for your visit, our team will ask questions about your menstrual cycle. We may also order blood tests and do a pelvic exam.

First, we’ll want to make sure you’re not pregnant, breastfeeding or entering menopause. These situations can stop your periods or make them irregular.

Then we’ll work with you to determine what’s causing your irregular menstruation. Common causes of painful or irregular periods include:

Significant lifestyle changes, such as extreme weight loss, weight gain, exercise or stress
Medications, including birth control, steroids and blood thinners (anticoagulants)
Medical conditions, including thyroid problems, uterine fibroids, endometriosis and PCOS

Whatever the cause, we can suggest treatments or lifestyle strategies that can help provide relief from irregular periods.

How We Treat Irregular Periods

Treatment for irregular or painful periods depends on:

The cause of your irregular or painful periods
Your symptoms
Your goals and preferences

Our women’s health experts will develop a personalized care plan for you. The best options for you may include medication, lifestyle changes or procedures.

Medicines and Lifestyle Changes for Irregular or Painful Periods

MU Health Care’s OB/GYNs specialize in treating period-related pain. Our team may recommend pain medications or lifestyle strategies, such as heating pads, exercise, stress management and dietary changes.

Birth control options that contain the hormones estrogen or progestin can help reduce and control heavy bleeding. They come in many forms, including pills, injections and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Procedures to Treat Irregular or Painful Periods

Uterine fibroids (noncancerous growths in your uterus) and endometriosis (when uterine lining tissue grows outside your uterus) can cause irregular periods. While medications and lifestyle changes can help these conditions, you may need additional treatment.

Our gynecologic surgeons offer advanced procedures that can treat fibroids and reduce uncomfortable symptoms. These include:

Ablation: A procedure that shrinks endometrial growths by cutting off their blood supply.
Uterine artery embolization: Another procedure that shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply.
Laparoscopic fibroid ablation: A procedure to treat fibroids that uses a laparoscope, a tool to see organs in the abdomen.
Myomectomy: Surgery to remove fibroids without removing the uterus.
Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus, and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes. While removing these organs, the surgeon also removes fibroids or endometrial growths attached to them.

Advanced Fertility Treatment Options

The causes of painful or irregular periods may also affect your fertility. If you’re struggling to get pregnant, our Reproductive Health and Fertility Center can help you grow your family.

Fertility and reproductive medicine experts at the clinic offer the full range of fertility services, including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).