
It can be frustrating if you have had a fairly steady cycle up to now, and you find yourself having irregular periods. But as you get into your 40s and 50s, it is normal to have irregular periods and these are usually associated with hormonal changes occurring during perimenopause and menopause. Even though this is a normal stage in a womans life it is important to distinguish between the factors that may cause irregularties as this makes the transition easier and more confident.
In this guide, I have outlined the possible causes of irregular periods during your 40s and 50s, what happens biologically, and when you should see the doctor.
It is important to know the crisis due to irregular periods.
A condition whereby a woman fails to experience menstruation at the expected time or the cycling lasts at a different time is known as irregular period. The menstrual cycle has an average of about 28 days, however between 21 to 35 is typical. Irregularities may include:
Skipping periods entirely.
Having more frequent, less frequent, longer, or shorter periods than is normal for the individual.
Experience with or fluctuations in monthly cycles that are shorter, or longer than what is normal.
Spotting between periods.
Occasional irregular menstruation may be due to hormonal imbalances and lifestyle and stress, can occur at any age; menstrual irregularities after 40s and 50s could be due to the body preparing for menopause.
Why you may experience irregular periods in your 40s and 50s
At some point in your life, particularly during your early or mid-40s, hormonal changes take place and affect the menstrual cycle. All of these changes are a normal part of what is referred to as perimenopause, the time just before a woman reaches menopause. Let’s explore the most common reasons for irregular periods during this phase:
1. Hormonal Fluctuations
A hormonal imbalance, particularly estrogen and progesterone, is the primary reason for irregular periods during your 40s and 50s. These hormones control the menstrual cycle; and, when the levels fluctuate, so does your cycle.
How It Affects Your Cycle:
This may include a situation where you find yourself bleading less often than before, or on the other extreme, bleeding frequently than before.
They may also include situations of prolonged or intermitted periods in which bleeding is likely to be heavier or on the other extreme less frequent in occurrence but intense in flow as a result of hormone fluctuation.
Missed periods are typical, as losing the conception cycle’s regularity is observed.
This phase is called the perimenopause, and it may take from several months to several years before menopause is considered to have begun (when a woman has had no period at all for 12 months).
2. Declining Egg Reserve
When a woman is born she comes with a limited eggs and with the passage of time these eggs are depleted. In your 40 s, due to hormonal variations, the ovaries release less eggs and this affects ovulation cycle. The ovulation is also irregular and, therefore, results to irregular periods as well.
How It Affects Your Cycle:
They simply fail to occur at all or are irregular, in other terms, there are may be missing or delayed menstrual periods.
Relative disturbance of hormones due to cycling irregularities leads to uncoordinated bleeding patterns.
3. Perimenopause and Menopause
Perimenopause is the time when a woman is transitioning to menopause, and it occurs in mid- to late 40s. It is similar with hormonal changes, and results to some alterations in the cycling pattern easily observed.
Common Symptoms During Perimenopause:
Hot flashes and night sweats.
Mood swings and irritability.
Vaginal dryness.
Sleep disturbances.
And once you come through the climacteric which is usually around the age of 50, you will even stop ‘coming on’ AGAIN. But, the period before coming to menopause is associated with some level of irregularity that could entail basic spotting to heavy periods.
4. Lifestyle and Stress Factors
Stress, lack of sleep and alteration of life style hasten irregularities in menses especially at 40 to 50 years of age. Stress is devastating to the hypothalamus, the organ in charge of your hormonal program and beats your cycle .
Lifestyle Factors That May Contribute:
Family stress, work stress, stress arising from health complications.
Lack of physical activity.
Bad diet or uncontrolled and irregular fooding habits, frequent change in diets, or excessive intake of fats.
Tobacco or alcohol use of any kinds.
Thus, although lifestyle modifications cannot by themselves be cited as the main reason for having irregular periods at this age, they are capable of increasing the impact of hormonal fluctuations.
5. Medical Conditions
Some diseases increase in period of person age and can cause irregular periods in your 40s and 50s. These include:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A condition usually caused by hormonal imbalances that red signal in the normal and correct ovarian cycle.
Thyroid Disorders: If the thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones or too many hormones, it will disrupt your cycle.
Fibroids or Polyps: Benign uterine disease can be a reason for abnormal or prolonged uterine bleeding.
Endometrial Hyperplasia: A state that results in a thickening of the endometrium with an associated characteristic of long and excessive bleeding.
When experiencing heavy and painful pregnancies or periods, you should visit your doctor to eliminate health complications.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Irregular periods are very common as women age and although most women should not be overly concerned about their irregular periods, there are some red flags that should prompt a visit to the doctor. These include:
Blood clots that are larger than a quarter, frequent spotting, and blood that is bright red and fills more than one pad or tampon.
Mean durations in excess of 7 days.
Severe pain or cramping.
If you are experiencing spotting or bleeding atypical to your menstrual cycle, the devices could be to blame.
Switching for years to a certain pattern and then switching again without any notification.
Any bleeding after menopause.
Sometimes doctors may advice for hormone level tests or ultrasound or a biopsy so as to advise on the right treatment for abnormal bleeding.
It may be challenging for women in their 40s and 50s to deal with their cystic acne problems if their diets are irregular.
Fortunately, there are several ways to manage irregular periods and the symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause:
1. Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
Staying physically active and being on a balanced diet will help bring your cycle to a natural rhythm and reduce the symptoms.
Exercise regularly: The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week.
Eat a balanced diet: Consume low fat foods, low cholesterol foods, and increase the intake of good carbohydrates, and calcium.
Stay hydrated: Dehydration is a known direct established children’s endocrine organs, which harnesses to facilitate critical hormonal balance.
2. Manage Stress
Stress that is prolonged can make hormonal imbalances even worse than they already are. Relaxation techniques such as exercise regimes like yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises are known to go a long way in reducing stress, a component that is very vital for emotional health.
3. Consider Hormone Therapy
In case your hormonal imbalance affects your lifestyle considerably, then there is a option to use hormone replacement therapy or HRT. Always consult with your doctor on whether this treatment suits you.
4. Medications and Supplements Manufactured From Natural Herbs
Some natural remedies can help alleviate symptoms associated with irregular periods:
Black Cohosh: It is used for the minimization of hot flashes as well as other hormonal side effects.
Evening Primrose Oil: May help with mood swings and in breast tenderness.
Calcium and Vitamin D: Crumbs for bone health with more emphasis experienced during post menopausal period.