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Irregular Periods — Causes and When to Get Checked
Also described as missed periods, delayed periods, irregular menstrual cycle.
A normal cycle runs roughly every 21 to 35 days. Cycles that are consistently longer, absent for three months or more, or unpredictable in flow deserve assessment — PCOS and thyroid disorders are common and treatable causes. Iswarya Hospital's Gynaecology department, OMR Chennai, evaluates with hormone testing and ultrasound.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •Bleeding between periods or after intercourse
- •Any bleeding after menopause
- •Soaking through a pad every hour, or passing large clots
- •Periods absent for three months or more when not pregnant
- •Severe pelvic pain with the bleeding
What causes irregular periods?
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
Irregular or absent cycles with acne, excess hair growth or weight gain. Common and manageable.
Thyroid disorder
Both underactive and overactive thyroid disturb the cycle, and both are found on a simple blood test.
Endometriosis
Painful, heavy periods with pelvic pain, sometimes with difficulty conceiving.
Uterine fibroids
Heavy or prolonged bleeding, sometimes with pressure symptoms or a feeling of fullness.
Stress, weight change or perimenopause
Significant weight loss or gain, and the years approaching menopause, both alter cycle regularity.
How it is investigated
- ✓Pelvic ultrasound
- ✓Thyroid function and prolactin
- ✓Hormone profile, including testosterone where PCOS is suspected
- ✓Haemoglobin, since heavy periods commonly cause anaemia
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
How irregular is too irregular?▼
Occasional variation is normal, particularly in the first years after periods begin and in the run-up to menopause. Get assessed if cycles are consistently shorter than 21 days or longer than 35, if periods stop for three months without pregnancy, or if bleeding is unusually heavy or occurs between periods.
Does PCOS mean I cannot have children?▼
No. PCOS is one of the commonest causes of difficulty conceiving, but most women with PCOS can conceive, often with weight management, ovulation induction or fertility treatment. It is a reason to seek advice earlier, not a diagnosis of infertility.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.