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Irregular periods

Approved by our Clinical team | Apr 2, 2020

What are irregular periods?

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An irregular period cycle is when the time between each of your periods changes. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, however many women can have a cycle that is 21 to 40 days in length. You may experience more than one period a month or go months without having a period. Normally women will experience a period or menstrual bleeding that lasts two to five days, however this can last up to 10 days depending on your cycle.

Is it normal to have a very irregular period?

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Having irregular periods is very common, especially if you have just started menstruating. As a teenager your body’s hormones fluctuate until they find a balance, so it is normal to have a period one month and then not have one the next. However, as you get older there are a number of reasons why you may be experiencing irregular bleeding. It might be the case that you have an underlying condition that is affecting your cycle or a recent change to your lifestyle could be playing a part.

What are the causes of irregular periods?

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Irregular bleeding and an irregular menstrual cycle can be caused by a number of different reasons, whether this is due to a lifestyle change or your hormones.

Your menstrual cycle can be disrupted by:

Extreme weight loss or weight gain
Excessive exercise
Stress
Changing your contraception
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Pregnancy
Menopause

Can you get pregnant if you have irregular periods?

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Yes, any time that you have unprotected sex (without contraception) you have the potential to become pregnant. When you have irregular periods it is harder to track when you are ovulating as your menstrual cycle does not follow a set pattern each month. If you are trying to get pregnant and experience irregular periods you should talk to your GP who will be able to offer more advice and treatments that can help you to achieve regular ovulation.

How can I regulate my period naturally?

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If you are concerned about your menstrual cycle your GP will be able to offer advice about how you can help to regulate your periods. There are a number of natural ways that you can help to improve and settle your periods:

Eating a healthy diet
Regularly exercising
By managing your stress levels

What is the average menstrual cycle?

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Normally a woman’s menstrual cycle lasts around 28 days, however many women can experience cycles that vary in length from 21 to 40 days.

How long will I bleed for on my period?

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Menstrual bleeding can last from two to seven days, although the average time span tends to be five days.

Can you treat irregular periods?

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Yes you can, however this may not always be necessary. If you are experiencing bleeding between periods, heavy, frequent or periods that last longer than seven days, then you might like to talk to a Pharmacist, GP or a doctor at Online Doctor to find out more about treatments.