Description

Irregular periods refer to variations in the frequency, duration, or amount of menstrual bleeding. 

Causes: 

  • Hormonal imbalances: Changes in estrogen, progesterone, or thyroid hormone levels. 
  • Pregnancy: Implantation of a fertilized egg can cause a missed period. 
  • Birth control methods: Hormonal contraceptives can alter the menstrual cycle. 
  • Stress: Physical or emotional stress can disrupt hormone production. 
  • Extreme weight loss or gain: Significant changes in body weight can affect hormone levels. 
  • Underlying medical conditions: Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disease, and diabetes can cause irregular periods. 

Symptoms:

  • Periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart.
  • Heavy or very light bleeding.
  • Prolonged bleeding (more than 7 days).
  • Skipped periods for several months.
  • Painful periods. 

The following test are included:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Estrogen

hCG levels (human chorionic gonadotropin)

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)

Prolactin

Testosterone

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test that can help determine the cause of irregular periods.

Estrogen levels can fluctuate throughout a woman's life, and changes in estrogen levels can cause irregular periods. Estrogen is a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle along with progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone. 

When you have irregular periods, checking hCG levels (human chorionic gonadotropin) is important because it's the only reliable way to confirm pregnancy, especially if your menstrual cycle is unpredictable, as a missed period alone might not accurately indicate pregnancy; low or abnormal hCG levels can also signal potential complications like an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, which is crucial to monitor with irregular cycles. 

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. Imbalances in these hormones can cause irregular periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. 

Prolactin levels can affect menstrual cycles and cause irregular or missed periods. Prolactin is a hormone that helps with breast milk production and other bodily functions. High levels of prolactin, also known as hyperprolactinemia, can disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause infertility. 

Testosterone plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle, so irregular periods can be a significant indicator of imbalanced testosterone levels in a woman's body, often signifying a potential underlying health issue like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) where high testosterone levels can disrupt ovulation and lead to irregular periods; therefore, monitoring testosterone levels can be important for diagnosing and managing menstrual irregularities.