Ever wondered if your period is trying to tell you something? The line between normal and abnormal menstrual cycles can often seem blurred, leaving so many women in a constant state of confusion. It’s common to question whether your cycle is normal or indicative of a hormonal imbalance. Be mindful of these five indicators that could point to hormonal imbalances:
- Variations in Menstrual Fluid: Noticeable changes in the color, consistency, or volume of menstrual blood.
- Irregular or Missed Periods: Experiencing cycles that are unpredictable or completely absent for months at a time.
- Spotting: Unexpected bleeding between regular menstrual cycles.
- Intense PMS Symptoms: Experiencing premenstrual symptoms so severe they disrupt daily life.
- Unusual Cycle Lengths: Having cycles that are significantly shorter or longer than usual, indicating potential irregularities in the luteal or follicular phases. Let’s discuss these in detail.
Understanding the Appearance of Menstrual Blood
If the blood is dark, heavy, has clots, or looks clumpy, kind of like frozen crushed up blueberries this can be a sign that estrogen levels are too high in relation to progesterone. Estrogen is a stimulating hormone and high estrogen can overstimulate the uterine lining. Progesterone counteracts the job of estrogen by slowing down uterine lining growth. So, if estrogen is high in relation to progesterone, you can see how it might cause the symptoms just described. Other signs of high estrogen levels include breast tenderness, migraines, bloating, and emotional PMS symptoms, like anxiety, learn more about the symptoms of low estrogen by clicking here.
Irregular or Skipped Periods
Irregular or skipped periods are usually due to low estrogen. Over time, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, and decreased bone density may develop as well. Do these symptoms sound familiar? If you’re thinking that this sounds a lot like perimenopause and menopause, you’re right. But, that’s only one cause of low estrogen. Other causes include long term hormonal birth control use, coming off of hormonal birth control, surgical removal of the ovaries, radiation treatments, anorexia or low nutrient intake, genetic diseases, thyroid problems, and inadequate body fat. These causes can happen to women of any age.
Navigating Emotional PMS
You might be thinking, “Aren’t intense PMS symptoms just part of being a woman?” But feeling overwhelmed or unwell before your period isn’t something you should accept as normal. While many women experience significant discomfort, such as mood swings and physical pain, these are often signals from your body that something is out of balance.
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Abnormal menstrual cycles can be a red flag for underlying issues. Cycles lasting 24 days or less may signal luteal phase defect (LPD), hindering pregnancy. LPD, with a phase under 10 days, can be linked to low progesterone, often caused by stress or low thyroid function. On the other hand, cycles exceeding 35 days might indicate PCOS, excess estrogen, perimenopause, or ovarian issues. For those with short or long follicular phases, it could point to estrogen imbalance or delayed ovulation. Click here to learn how we can assist you in tracking and understanding your cycle better.
At My Wellness Solutions, we’re committed to empowering you with the knowledge and resources to manage your menstrual health effectively. Understanding the signs of hormonal imbalances is the first step toward achieving a balanced and healthy menstrual cycle. For personalized guidance and support, learn more about our comprehensive Wellness Exam that goes beyond your traditional physical and evaluates 55+ biomarkers to create a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs.
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