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Not many women know this but almost 30% of females go through irregular periods during their fertile years, meaning that 1 in every 4 women face this issue. If you have also experienced irregular periods, you know that this can show up in several ways - as cycles which may be too long or too short, missed periods or even abnormal bleeding. These disruptions could be due to a number of reasons like hormonal imbalances, stress, lifestyle choices or if you have other health problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What you should understand is that while modern medicine offers effective treatments for this health concern, many women seek natural alternatives to avoid the unwanted side effects of these medicines. This is where Ayurveda can prove beneficial for you. Ayurveda focuses on balancing the energies of your body and offers natural cures to restore harmony in them.

Here, we'll discuss the Ayurvedic perspective of menstruation, natural cures and suggestions for managing your irregular periods better.

What Causes Irregular Periods?

So why do your periods appear to be so irregular in the first place? Irregular periods are more common than you may believe and they may be caused by a mixture of biological and lifestyle factors.

Physiological Causes of Irregular Periods

Hormonal Imbalances: The most common explanation for your irregular periods is hormonal imbalance in your body. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone govern your menstruation cycle. When these are out of sync, your periods also become abnormal. Health problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could also be the cause for your missed and irregular periods.
Thyroid Problems: Thyroid is a tiny gland in your neck which controls those hormones that are essential for your menstruation cycle. What you must know in this regard is that both an underactive and overactive thyroid can make your periods irregular.
Uterine Abnormalities: Fibroids and polyps are harmless growths inside your uterus that can cause heavy, painful periods or spotting between your cycles.

Lifestyle Causes of Irregular Periods

Stress: Many of us think that stress is just an issue of the mind but it also affects your body deeply. It can temporarily change the performance of your hypothalamus, the region of the brain which regulates different hormones which affect your menstruation cycle.
Extreme Weight Changes: Any substantial weight loss or gain can impact your hormonal health and your periods. If you are underweight, this can reduce the hormone production needed to ovulate and being overweight can increase hormone overproduction, disrupting your cycle.
Excessive Exercise: Although exercise aids in your metabolism, too much exercise could cause hormonal imbalances due to the strain that your body faces while exercising.
Poor Diet: If you have a habit of consuming foods that lack nutrients or are loaded with processed food items, this could interrupt your hormonal balance and impact your menstruation cycle.

What Does Ayurveda Think Of Irregular Periods?

If we look at periods from an Ayurvedic angle, menstrual health is not just a biological feature. It reflects your complete wellness and health balance. Ayurveda considers the menstruation cycle an essential sign of a female's overall health that shows the harmony between your mind and body. If you have irregular periods, Ayurveda considers this a sign of imbalance in certain areas of your body’s system.

Ayurvedic Perspective on Menstrual Health

Ayurveda regards a healthy menstruation cycle as a natural detox procedure. Good health is characterised by regular, pain-free periods. Whenever your periods get irregular, this is an indication that toxins ('ama') are accumulating in your body and disrupting bodily functions.

Role of Doshas in Menstrual Cycles

In Ayurveda, there are 3 primary energies/doshas that regulate all your physiological functions: Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. This is how each dosha impacts your menstrual cycle:
Vata: Vata governs your movement/flow. An imbalance in your Vata dosha might cause delayed periods, typically with pain and discomfort. If you are anxious or experience bloating and constipation with irregular periods, your Vata might be out of balance.
Pitta: Pitta controls your hormones and metabolism. If your pitta is imbalanced, it can cause heavy periods, severe cramps and emotional outbursts during your cycle.
Kapha: Kapha helps to maintain your structure and fluid balance. Excessive Kapha may result in extended periods or excessive bleeding accompanied with lethargy or weight gain. If your cycles are frequent and heavy, your Kapha might be out of balance.

What Are the Symptoms of Irregular Periods?

Are you unsure if your periods are normal or not? The first step in addressing the problem is knowing the signs of irregular periods. This is what you should closely look for:
Inconsistent Cycle Length: If the number of days between your period keeps changing from 21 days one month to 35 the following month, that is a hint of irregularity in periods.
Missed Periods: Do your periods sometimes skip altogether? This is not a random event and is among the key clues of an irregular cycle.
Excessive Bleeding or Very Light Bleeding: Experiencing abnormally heavy flow or unusually light spotting? Both extremes suggest irregular menstrual cycles.
Predictable Period Symptoms: If you are experiencing cramps, bloating or mood swings often without period, this might be a symptom of irregular periods.
Extended or Extremely Short Periods: Periods of over 7 days or fewer than two days are also considered as unusual.

What Natural Remedies Does Ayurveda Offer for Irregular Periods?

Ayurveda offers a number of natural cures for irregular periods. These herbs not only treat the symptoms of irregular periods but also work deep to balance the underlying causes. Here are some highly effective herbal remedies and methods to use in your everyday life.

1. Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus): Shatavari is a renowned Ayurvedic herb for females. It helps to balance your hormone levels and also helps your reproductive system during menstrual cycles.
   Pro Tip: Shatavari is usually added as a powder to your morning drink of milk or taken as a capsule with your breakfast. Be consistent when taking this particular herb if you want to see remarkable changes in your cycle regularity.
   2. Ashoka (Saraca Asoca): The "friend of women," bark of Ashoka helps with menstrual pain and with maintaining sufficient levels of estrogen.
   Pro Tip: Boil some pieces of Ashoka bark in water and drink it twice daily. Add some honey if you need it for better taste. What is most important is that you take this regularly to maintain your hormonal balance.
   3. Turmeric (Curcuma Longa): Turmeric has curcumin and it is very useful for reducing menstrual discomfort and regulating periods.
   Pro Tip: Take one teaspoon turmeric powder with a cup of warm milk and consume this mixture before going to bed. This helps regulate your periods and improves your immunity too. But make sure that you use pure, organic turmeric only.
   4. Cinnamon: Cinnamon helps with menstrual cramps & can regulate your cycle by lowering insulin resistance, which is a common issue in PCOS.
   Pro Tip: Spread cinnamon powder on your breakfast oatmeal or add it in your coffee or tea. Its warming qualities are best felt if it is taken in the first half of the day.
   5. Aloe vera: Aloe vera juice detoxifies the blood, balances hormones and is used for treating irregular periods.
   Pro Tip: Taking a small cup of aloe vera juice each morning on an empty stomach can be very helpful for your periods. If it tastes too strong, mix it with some orange or apple juice.
   6. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra): Licorice promotes estrogen metabolism and assists with irregular periods caused by hormonal imbalances.
   Pro Tip: Make a licorice root tea by boiling the root in water for a minute or two. Consume this tea once or twice every day. But watch the quantity as too much licorice may increase your high blood pressure.
   7. Triphala: Triphala is a classic Ayurvedic mixture which cleanses the body and also promotes overall health, including menstruation cycle management.
   Pro Tip: Blend half a teaspoon of Triphala powder in a glass of warm water and drink it before bed. This helps regularise your periods and digestion which is essential for hormonal balance.
   8. Niranjan Phal (China Fruit): Niranjan Phal is believed to regulate excessive menstrual flow, a symptom of irregular periods.
   Pro Tip: Soak a piece of Niranjan Phal in a cup of water overnight. Strain the water in the morning and consume it on an empty stomach. This is particularly useful when you have intense bleeding during periods. Be patient with this remedy because its effects are gradual.
   9. Unripe Papaya: There is a compound called carotene present in Unripe papaya that helps regulate your menstrual cycle by balancing estrogen hormone levels.
   Pro Tip: Add unripe papaya to your diet two weeks before your cycle is due. You can also have it with salads or drinks. Avoid it during your menstruations. It is best used in the preparatory stage of your menstruation cycle for promoting regularity.
   10. Cumin seeds: Cumin seeds assist in reducing menstrual cramps and regulating your menstrual cycle.
   Pro Tip: Soak some cumin seeds in warm water overnight; drink the water and chew the seeds on an empty stomach the next morning. This helps regulate your menstrual cycle and digestion which is essential for your hormonal health.
   11. Sesame seeds: There are lignans & fatty acids present in sesame seeds, which are very good at regulating menstrual cycles. They're particularly useful for females with irregular cycles caused due to anxiety or hormonal imbalances.
   Pro Tip: Roast some sesame seeds and blend it with some jaggery powder. Have a teaspoon of the mixture daily on an empty stomach during the second half of your menstruation cycle (post-ovulation). This encourages menstrual regularity.
   12. Sandalwood: Sandalwood helps to maintain a normal menstrual rhythm for women who experience excessive heat during their cycle.
   Pro Tip: Add some sandalwood oil to a glass of cool milk and drink it at bedtime during hot weather or if your irregular periods are accompanied by night sweats or hot flashes. This is a calming remedy which balances your Pitta dosha, which generally interrupts with your menstrual cycle.What Dietary and Lifestyle Changes are Good for Your Menstrual Health?
   As a woman, you must understand that what you eat and how you live greatly impacts your hormonal balance and your period cycles.
   When we talk about diet, your body needs a number of nutrients to produce hormones consistently and properly. Deficiency in nutrition may throw these hormones off balance and lead to erratic periods. For instance, if you don’t eat enough magnesium and vitamin B, this could cause menstrual cramps and irregular periods.

Tips for a Balanced Diet as per Ayurveda

Add Whole Grains: Foods like brown rice, oats, and barley offer fiber and vitamin B which regulate your hormone levels.
Eat Fresh Vegetables & Fruits: These are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients which help preserve liver function for hormonal stability.
Include Healthy Fats: Add nuts, ghee and seeds in your diet to increase hormone production and reduce inflammation in your body.
Drink Sufficient Water: Drink lots of water to detoxify your body naturally to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle.

Just as diet influences your menstrual health, your lifestyle can affect your periods. Factors like stress, not doing enough physical inactivity and insufficient sleep could disrupt your hormonal balance. For instance, more stress levels increase the level of cortisols in your body, which might affect your periods and ovulation.

Tips for Lifestyle Adjustments as per Ayurveda

Manage Stress: Try to relax your body and mind with yoga, meditation or deep breathing. These practices lower your stress levels and improve your hormonal function.
Regular Exercise: Moderate exercise will help you remain healthy and regulate your cycle. However, an excessive amount of physical stress could cause the opposite effect.
Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of great sleep every night. Sleep regulates a number of hormones in the body, which affects your menstruation cycle.
Caffeine & Alcohol Restriction: These substances can upset the Vata dosha and could disrupt your cycle. Reduce their intake and improve your menstrual health.

Can Panchakarma Therapy Help With Irregular Periods?

Panchakarma (meaning "five actions") is an important part of Ayurvedic medicine, which is used to get rid of harmful toxins in the body. These toxins are called ‘Ama’ in Ayurveda and are believed to cause a number of diseases and health conditions including menstrual irregularities.

Panchakarma involves a series of cleansing procedures which help to restore your body’s balance and strengthen your immune system. For women experiencing irregular periods, Panchakarma can reset your body functions and bring you closer to your natural rhythm.

Which Specific Therapies Assist with Menstrual Irregularities?

Panchakarma includes several therapies, some of which are considered very helpful for menstrual problems:

Virechana (Purgation Therapy): This therapy helps to cleanse the lower half of the body and is particularly great for balancing Pitta dosha, which may cause heavy bleeding and inflammation during periods.
Basti (Enema Therapy): Basti works well upon Vata dosha, a major cause behind painful and irregular periods. Basti soothes the reproductive organs and regulates menstrual cycles by administering medicated oils or decoctions through the rectum.
Nasya (Nasal Administration): This therapy involves the application of medicated oil through the nose to clear the head and neck region of built-up toxins. Since the nasal passage leads to the brain, Nasya helps reduce stress, which is a major factor behind menstrual irregularities.
Abhyanga (Oil Massage): This is a kind of therapeutic massage using herbal oils, which reduces mental and physical stress, increases blood circulation and promotes hormonal balance.

Final Thoughts

By now, you must have understood that Ayurveda helps in reestablishing a deep connection with your body’s natural rhythms and embracing wellness in its fullest form. Be it with natural herbs like Shatavari and Ashoka or the cleansing process of Panchakarma, each step towards Ayurvedic practices is a step towards holistic health.

So, if you are experiencing issues with irregular periods currently or if you face them in the future, choose Ayurveda to restore your body’s hormonal balance with these natural remedies.

If you have any health concerns, reach out to our expert Jiva doctors for more information. Call us on 0129-4264323.

FAQs

What should I do if my periods are not coming?
Firstly, evaluate your lifestyle factors like stress, exercise, and diet. Improvements in these basic areas can help you regain regularity on periods. If your periods are consistently absent, consult an Ayurvedic doctor to rule out underlying issues like PCOS.

Can periods skip a month?
Yes, menstruations can even skip a month because of illnesses, hormonal changes or lifestyle factors. If such skipping is frequent, see an Ayurvedic doctor to check for other health problems.

Is a 40 day cycle normal?
A 40-day menstrual cycle is normal for some women, if it's consistent. However, an unexpected change in cycle length may signify hormonal imbalances or other health problems.

How do I get my period back naturally?
For naturally regulating your period, follow the right diet, regular exercise, control your stress and sleep enough. Herbs such as Shatavari and Ashok can also help balance your hormones.

What is the best yoga pose for irregular periods?
Yoga poses like Cobra Pose, Camel Pose and the Bow Pose stimulate the reproductive organs, improve blood circulation and balance your hormones that regulate menstrual cycles.

What is a ghost period?
A ghost period involves all the symptoms of a period (cramps and bloating) but no bleeding. This can be associated with early pregnancy or hormonal imbalances.

How much delay in periods is normal?
A delay of even 7-10 days is considered normal, which might be caused by stress, physical conditions or diet. If you notice that the delay is longer, consulting an Ayurvedic doctor would be best.

Why do I have period symptoms but no period?
This could be a ghost period, where hormonal changes result in menstruation symptoms without bleeding. The causes can include stress, hormonal disorders or weight changes.