Irregular periods means a variation in the length of time between your periods from one month to the next that's more than a few days.
While a small difference is quite normal for most women, it could be a sign that you have a health issue or medical condition that can be treated.
On average, periods happen every 28 days and last for about five days. However, it's common for the time between periods to be longer or shorter than this or to last longer than seven days. You shouldn’t worry if:
You'll probably have irregular periods if:
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There are many reasons for irregular periods, these include:
Irregular periods could also be a sign of an underlying medical conditions such as:
Keep a note of when your periods start, then count the days between them, to see if this varies.
While irregular periods aren't always a sign of a medical problem, it's a good idea to visit your GP to rule out or identify possible health issues, especially if:
Also, tell your GP if you have heavy irregular periods, are bleeding between periods or have symptoms such as pain or discomfort.
In order to make a diagnosis, your GP may:
You may be referred to a gynaecologist if your doctor feels you need further tests or specialist treatment.
Treatment of irregular periods depends on the underlying cause of the problem. For example, you may be offered:
Getting pregnant can be difficult for some women with irregular periods, but hormone or fertility treatments can help.