Irregular Periods: Causes, Complications, Treatment, Pregnancy, and More

You’re experiencing irregular periods if your menstrual cycle length keeps increasing or decreasing and your periods are either too early or too late.

While slight variation in the gap between your periods from month to month is considered normal, it could also be indicative of an underlying health issue. 

There are several factors that can affect the regularity of your menstrual cycle. Here, we have compiled information to help you learn about irregular periods, their causes and treatment, and how to try for a baby when your cycle is irregular. 

What are irregular periods?

Also known as oligomenorrhea, irregular periods refer to: 

• Missed periods

• Delayed periods 

• Erratic periods 

• Abnormal bleeding patterns

While 28 days is considered the average menstrual cycle length, this can be shorter or longer by a few days. However, you’re having irregular periods if your menstrual cycle: 

• Is shorter than 24 days

• Is longer than 38 days 

• Varies drastically from month to month

After puberty, several women’s menstrual cycle regularizes with a similar periodicity. However, it is completely normal for the cycle to vary by a few days from month to month.