Irregular Periods: 5 Home Remedies To Regulate Your Periods

Introduction

Irregular periods refers to having a missed, delayed, or erratic menstrual cycle. Irregular periods are a common problem faced by many women across the world. Common causative factors of this issue include menopause, menarche, a family history of irregular periods, stress, and more.

Generally, it is advised to consult a medical professional when you experience any symptoms of irregular periods, ranging from bleeding for more than a week, heavy bleeding, severe pain during periods, or bleeding between periods.

However, there are some home remedies for irregular periods that you can use to quell persisting symptoms. Apart from the methods listed in this article, patients can try using combination birth control pills as they are proven to have a positive effect on reducing irregular periods.

Remedies For Irregular Periods

Here are 5 remedies for irregular periods to help you combat this issue effectively.

1. Dietary Changes

Dietary issues can lead to hormonal imbalances that can, in turn, lead to irregularity in periods. You can try these easy dietary remedies for irregular periods to reverse any negative effects your diet may have had on your menstrual cycle.

• Avoiding Low-Carb Diets

Low-carb diets can cause hormone imbalances like reduced thyroid and leptin levels which result in missed or irregular cycles.

Experts recommend consuming around 225 to 325 grams of carbs per day. In other words, you should get about 45 to 65 per cent of your total daily calorie intake from carbohydrates.

• Avoiding High Fibre Diets

Similar to low-carb diets, high-fibre diets can lead to lowered hormone levels. This includes progesterone, estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

As all of these hormones are vital in the body’s natural reproductive process, lower concentrations can cause irregular periods. Experts recommend a maximum of 25 to 30 grams of fibre in a diet.

• Adequate Fats in the Diet

Fats are an essential part of any balanced diet. One of the reasons for this is that they contribute to keeping hormones balanced and ovulation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are the most beneficial.

Common sources for PUFAS include salmon, flax seeds, vegetable oils, and walnuts.

It is advised that 20 to 35 per cent of your daily diet should consist of fat. Approximately 5 to 10 per cent of these calories should come from polyunsaturated fatty acids in particular.

• Adequate Folic Acid in the Diet

Folate is an important constituent of your diet. It helps regulate ovulation, increase progesterone labels, and support fertility.

According to nutritionists, as little as 400 micrograms are enough to regulate your periods. If you have had conditions affecting your reproductive health previously, your doctor may recommend up to 800 micrograms.

• Dietary Supplements

One of the easiest remedies for irregular periods caused by dietary deficiencies is supplements. Some dietary supplements can promote menstrual regularity by preventing hormonal imbalances or negating nutritional deficiencies.

However, any dietary supplement should be taken as per the advice of a medical professional. Over the counter, supplements may not be safe or effective as they do not need to be regulated by authorities.

Apart from these issues, over the counter medicine can interact with underlying health conditions, or cause issues in pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to research any dietary supplement before taking it.

Below, there are five dietary supplements listed that can regulate periods:

Inositol

Inositol is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It is similar to Vitamin B and has an impact on several hormones like FSH and insulin. Since FSH is vital for the proper functioning of ovaries, consuming inositol can be a solution for irregular periods.

Inositol can be found in a variety of foods, including meat, citrus fruits, and beans.

Taking inositol supplements can also enhance ovulation and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing medical treatment for infertility.

Chasteberry

Chasteberry is a herb that is used for a variety of medicinal purposes. Primarily, it is used for reducing premenstrual syndrome symptoms including depressed mood, breast pain, and fluid retention.

Alternatively, chasteberry helps reduce prolactin levels and raise progesterone levels in the body. Menstrual cycles are seen to be more regular when these two hormones are in balance.

Consult a doctor before deciding to use chasteberry supplements for appropriate information on dosage and possible side effects.

Mugwort

Mugwort is a plant that is widely known for its benefits in stimulating periods that are irregular, late, or missed. Consumed in teas or supplements, mugwort should be taken with caution by pregnant women.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is extracted from a plant and contains gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), which is an omega-6 fatty acid that is known to reduce inflammation, hot flashes, breast pain, and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Three to six grams per day of evening primrose oil are shown to regulate irregular periods and reduce symptoms of PMS.

Castor Oil

Conventionally classified as an “emmenagogue,” castor oil is thought to be beneficial in stimulating menstrual flow.

Research shows that castor oil can influence menstrual cycles in mammals. The supplement may also reduce inflammation, which has correlated with reduced menstrual pain and cramping.

Here is a helpful step-by-step guide for preparing a castor oil pack:

• Soak a muslin cloth in castor oil, then wring the cloth to get rid of excess oil
• Place the soaked muslin cloth across your abdomen
• Use plastic wrap to properly cover the cloth
• Place a heating pad or hot water bottle across the plastic
• Leave the cloth as is for 45 minutes or one hour
• Repeat this routine every day for three days per week

Make sure to consult your doctor before using any supplements. This is due to the fact that supplements can react with underlying health conditions, other over the counter medicines, or any prescription medication.

2. Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Research suggests that body weight has a link with the menstruation cycle. Being overweight or obese may lead to experiencing painful periods or irregular periods.

Many experts believe that obesity causes hormone imbalances, and fluctuations in weight can lead to irregularities in periods.

To prevent this, it is advised to maintain a healthy, stable weight and consume a balanced diet regularly.

3. Having a Good Sleep Schedule

Menstrual issues, premenstrual syndrome, in particular, can cause sleeping issues for several women who experience them. Problems in your sleep schedule can aggravate irregularity in periods.

There are multiple ways you can work on improving your sleep schedule:

• Try to establish a consistent sleep cycle by sleeping and waking up at the same times daily
• Avoid napping during the day
• Avoid reading or watching television while you’re in bed
• Avoid caffeine afternoon

For a better understanding of how lack of sleep causes stress problems, read our article Stress And Sleep: Effects On The Body And Tips For Better Sleep

4. Reducing Stress

Scientists have proven that adrenal glands secrete cortisol and progesterone in reaction to stress. This released progesterone can induce irregularity in your menstrual cycle.

Reducing chronic stress through yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and other methods can go a long way in getting your cycle back on track.

According to scientific studies, doing yoga for half an hour every day for five days a week is linked with cycle regularity, reduced pain, and reduced gastrointestinal symptoms associated with menstrual cycles.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the method of placing needles across the body at different energy points in the body. Acupuncture is not only known to relieve pain and reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, but it can also regulate periods.

Some studies show that acupuncture can lower levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone, therefore regulating periods. It has even shown positive results in lowering pain during menstruation.

Conclusion

Persistent irregular periods can be cause for concern. Trying these remedies for irregular periods can help reduce some of the painful symptoms while regulating your menstrual cycle. Additionally, they can also abate other issues of menstrual cycles like painful cramps.

In conclusion, while these home remedies can help, consulting a medical professional for your issues is essential to correctly understand why you may be suffering from irregular periods.