by Elaina Wicks

Created on: November 04, 2009   Last Updated: January 08, 2010

Causes of Menstrual Irregularities

Women are complex creatures. We have the ability to procreate, the instinct to nurture and the power of intuition. With these gifts, however, come a great deal of hormonal imbalances that can dramatically effect our internal harmony. When this harmony becomes disrupted or stressed, it can effect our reproductive system and particularly, our menstrual cycles.

There are several causes for an irregular menstrual cycle. Irregularities can be attributed to anything from a slight stress in a woman's life, to a more severe underlying medical condition. When traumatic irregularities like pain, profuse bleeding or abnormal discharge are concerned, it is always wise to consult a physician.

Stress

Believe it or not, a woman's emotional state can drastically effect her menstrual cycle. In this instance, an irregular menstrual cycle can be a normal reaction to the emotional stress put on a woman's body. When we are not in harmony, our body's defenses go haywire, which causes abnormalities in the way it functions. Similarly, when we are stressed, our bodies become more susceptible to illnesses. Sometimes, isolating and addressing the source of certain emotional stress can help a woman's body regain its normal cycle. In addition, finding activities that bring calm to a woman's life, like exercise, hot baths or reading a good book can be a major stress reliever.

From my own personal experience, I am a healthy woman in her thirties. My menstrual cycles have been as predictable as are taxes and I have no underlying medical conditions. However, this year has been particularly stressful for me. It seemed as if there were a series of mishaps, disasters and confrontations that eventually took a toll on not only my overall health and energy, but recently, threw my menstrual cycle into a tailspin. After two months of prolonged (8-14 day) periods with excessive bleeding, clotting and intermittent spotting in between, I became very worried. However, not only did I not feel nor show symptoms of any illness, I knew in the back of my mind that I was stressed to the max. After pinpointing the most prominent factor in my recent stress and addressing the issue, almost instantaneously, all of my irregularities stopped. I have been regular ever since.

Diet

We all know that excessive amounts of fatty, sugary or salty foods can congest our bodies and result in many ailments and/or health issues. The same goes for the drastic effects that a diet can have on a

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