Irregular periods aren’t always a sign of a problem. We break down what you should know about how to identify irregular periods, what causes them and when to see a doctor.

Why is My Period Late?

During a normal menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one of your ovaries during ovulation. If the egg is not fertilized by a sperm, then changing hormone levels send your body a signal to shed the blood and tissues that line your uterus.

This bleeding typically lasts about five days. Then, the monthly cycle repeats itself.

But some women have what is called abnormal uterine bleeding — another term for irregular periods — which can happen for a variety of reasons, from stress and lifestyle factors, to more serious underlying medical conditions.

What is an Irregular Period?

An irregular period is when the length of your menstrual cycle unexpectedly falls outside of your regular range. Irregular periods can include abnormal uterine bleeding, such as:

• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Heavy bleeding during your period
• Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than normal
• Bleeding after you’ve reached menopause

Reasons for a Late Period, Missed Period, or Irregular Period

There are a number of reasons why you may have an irregular, missed, or late period, ranging from stress to more serious medical conditions.

Common causes of irregular periods include:

• Uncontrolled diabetes — If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you may have irregular periods because the interaction between your blood sugar levels and hormones can disrupt your menstrual cycle.
• Eating disorders — If you have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, you may have irregular or missed periods. This is because your body is not producing and circulating enough hormones to control your menstrual cycle.
• Hyperprolactinemia — Women who have too much of a protein hormone called prolactin in their blood can have irregular periods.
• Medications — Certain medications, including anti-epileptics and antipsychotics, can cause irregular periods.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome — PCOS is caused by imbalanced sex hormones, which can disrupt regular menstruation.
• Premature ovarian failure — The ovaries of women with POF stop working before the age of 40, according to the National Institutes of Health. However, some women with this condition continue to have occasional periods.
• Stress — Stress hormones can affect menstruation and prolonged stress can cause your period to be delayed or for you to skip it entirely.

Also, when you first begin menstruating, it may take some time before your period becomes regular. Your period may become irregular up to eight years before menopause.

What to Do When Periods are Late ?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it may be time to talk to your doctor:

• You haven’t had a period for 90 days
• Your period suddenly becomes irregular
• You have a period more often than every 21 days
• You have a period less often than every 35 days
• Your period lasts for more than a week
• Your period becomes unusually heavy
• You bleed between periods
• Your periods are extremely painful

A gynecologist will be able to determine the cause of your irregular periods and help you develop the best treatment plan for you.

Best Lady Gynecologist in Sinhagad Road

The post Irregular Periods: Why Is My Period Late? appeared first on Aastha Healthcare.

Am I at an increased risk for getting coronavirus while pregnant?

COVID-19 leads to a respiratory illness that can be spread from person to person, and pregnant women should be considered an at-risk population for the illness.

While recent data does not show that pregnant women are at increased risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, when you’re pregnant, your body goes through changes that may increase your risk of some infections. Consequently, pregnant patients with COVID-19 are three times more likely to need ICU care and two to three times more likely to need advanced life support and a breathing tube.

If you are pregnant, it’s important to protect yourself from illnesses, as well as continue to see your provider for routine prenatal care and testing. However, if you have flu and cold symptoms and suspect it may be the coronavirus (COVID-19), call your provider’s office before going in for care.

The post COVID and Pregnancy: Risks, Vaccines, and Breastfeeding appeared first on Aastha Healthcare.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Risks

Your baby may be at risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome if you have opioid use disorder. Babies with NAS need medical care and extra care from you.

We know this can be a hard time for you and your baby. At Penn Medicine, we are here to help you, answer your questions and give your baby the best care possible.

You Are Your Baby’s Best Medicine 

Your love and care are an important part of your baby’s health.

If your baby has signs of withdrawal, you and your support person can help by comforting your baby. We will teach you things you can do to help your baby stay safe and calm. You can also help your medical team by looking for new signs of withdrawal or telling them if the signs are getting worse.

Be There For Your Baby As Much As You Can

Every day is a new day for you and your baby. If your baby has NAS, there are things you can do to help them cope with their symptoms, including:

• Swaddle your baby
• Hold your baby skin to skin
• Gently rock your baby to help soothe them

The post Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): How to Care for Your Baby appeared first on Aastha Healthcare.