What Causes Irregular Menstrual Cycles?

Irregular menstrual cycles can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'very minor' to 'life-threatening'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose irregular menstrual cycles, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "irregular menstrual cycles" as a symptom. Here are seven possibilities:

Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects
Hypothyroidism
Ovarian Cysts
Diabetes II
Adrenal Fatigue
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Perimenopause

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

regular unexplained nausea

occasional sore throats

missing outer third of eyebrows

having heavy periods

history of postpartum depression

meal-related bloating

chronic vomiting

taking naps

severe vision disturbances

occasional rashes

major fatigue for over 12 months

mild menopausal arthritis

... and more than 150 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of irregular menstrual cycles:

Cause	Probability	Status
Diabetes II	98%	Confirm
Adrenal Fatigue	19%	Unlikely
Ovarian Cysts	18%	Unlikely
Hypothyroidism	2%	Ruled out
Perimenopause	2%	Ruled out
Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects	1%	Ruled out
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	1%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate being premenopausal or being perimenopausal, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Are your natural menstrual cycles irregular? In other words, does the cycle length and/or the amount/duration of bleeding vary significantly from cycle to cycle? Do not answer if you have been using hormonal birth control for over 6 months.

Possible responses:

→ Don't know / used birth control for over 6 months
→ No, my cycles are usually quite similar/regular
→ Yes, I have occasional moderate cycle variations
→ Yes, regular moderate variation / occasional major
→ Yes, regular major variations, very unpredictable

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate slightly irregular menstrual cycles, irregular menstrual cycles or very irregular menstrual cycles, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Diabetes Type II

Women with long or very irregular menstrual cycles may be at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects

Hypothyroidism

Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency

Ovarian Cysts

In some cases ovarian cysts can cause problems with menstrual periods such as abnormal or irregular bleeding, especially in women with endometriosis.

Perimenopausal Issues

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™