Is Irregular Period A Sign of Pregnancy?

A normal menstrual cycle is considered to be anywhere between 21 to 40 days. Any deviation from this is considered an irregular menstrual cycle.
A woman's menstrual cycle says a lot about her health. It is mostly alright if you occasionally have irregular periods. But having a cycle that changes in length month-to-month could be due to an underlying health issue.
An irregular menstrual cycle can also affect pregnancy. It messes up your entire cycle, due to which determining the ovulation day becomes challenging. However, abnormal or missed periods can also be a sign of pregnancy. 

If you’ve always gotten your period on time, but this time your clock is running late, you might be pregnant. Missing your period is the first sign of pregnancy. So you should get the urine pregnancy test done immediately!
Your period cycle says a lot about your health. Sudden irregular periods can be a sign of pregnancy if you've always gotten your periods on time. However, irregular periods can also occur due to other underlying conditions such as:

1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal condition that occurs due to the excessive production of androgens. It also leads to the development of cysts on the ovaries. All this together leads to an irregular menstrual cycle. Thus, women suffering from PCOS often have irregular menstrual cycles.
2. Thyroid disorders: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ present in the neck. It produces thyroid hormones which are responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle. Any thyroid disease can disrupt the menstrual cycle leading to irregular periods. 
3. Stress: Stress is commonly associated with irregular menstrual cycles. Women with stress face menstrual regularities due to disturbance in the female hormone production.
4. Weight: A normal weight is essential in maintaining appropriate hormone levels in the body. Being overweight can disrupt the hormone levels leading to menstrual irregularities.Having a low body weight can also result in a decrease or complete stoppage of hormones that govern the menstrual cycle. 
5. Birth control methods: An intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) or birth pills can also cause missed or abnormal periods. 
6. Fibroids: Fibroids are noncancerous growth of uterine tissue consisting mainly of muscle and connective tissue. They grow in the wall of the uterus and may cause disturbance in the uterine lining. 
7. Exercise: Some women tend to exercise more which can disturb the hormone levels responsible for menstruation. This is commonly seen in female athletes or dancers who train excessively.
8. Surgery: If you have recently undergone surgery, it can throw your menstrual cycle off the course. Scarring or other structural problems in the uterus or fallopian tubes can also cause an abnormal menstrual cycle.

If you don't suffer from anything mentioned above, you should look for abnormal periods and other signs of pregnancy. These include: 

1. Swollen or tender breasts
2. Nausea 
3. Vomiting
4. Fatigue
5. Increased urination
6. Bloating 
7. Light spotting
8. Cramps

If you notice any of the aforementioned signs along with missing your period, you should see a doctor and get your pregnancy confirmed.
If you don't, it's time for you to get checked for other conditions.

Perform a urine pregnancy test at home to check if you are pregnant. If the results come positive, consult a doctor and confirm the pregnancy.
If the results are negative or you are not pregnant, wait a few days for your periods to come. 
If you have always had irregular periods, it is time for you to get checked for other health conditions. Your doctor will assess your situation and run some tests to diagnose your condition and treat you accordingly.

Doctors frequently recommend birth control pills (oral contraceptives)– oestrogen and progesterone to treat irregular periods. Women who don't have periods may also benefit from taking the hormone progestin to start their cycle.
If you’ve irregular periods and are trying to get pregnant, your doctor may prescribe some other medications.
The underlying diseases, such as thyroid disorders, fibroids, PCOS, etc., should also be treated simultaneously.
Women with thyroid disorders are prescribed medications to increase or block the thyroid hormone production depending upon their condition. 
Fibroids can be managed medically or surgically. Medical management includes OTC pain relief medications to relieve abdominal pain, gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists to reduce the size of the fibroids, and low-dose contraceptive pills to control the bleeding. 
Surgical management comprises myomectomy, hysterectomy, and uterine artery embolization. Myomectomy refers to simple removal of fibroids. Hysterectomy is the removal of fibroids along with removal of the uterus. In uterine artery embolization, the blood supply to the fibroids is cut off so that the fibroids shrink in size and get fibrosed. 
Women with PCOS are recommended lifestyle changes such as weight loss and dietary changes. They are also prescribed other medications including birth control pills and diabetes medication.

Irregular periods can be a sign of pregnancy if they occur all of a sudden. But if you've always had an irregular menstrual cycle, getting pregnant could be challenging. 
If you are fed up with having an irregular menstrual cycle or trying to get pregnant, get in touch with our excellent team of doctors at Hexahealth. We are here for you every step of the way!