Irregular Menstrual Cycles

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.

Diagnose your symptoms now!
  • understand what's happening to your body
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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:
  • Diabetes II
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Ovarian Cysts
  • Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects
  • Perimenopause
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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:
vomiting for 1-3 months
history of chronic thyroiditis
hot flashes during period
history of adult acne
processed meat consumption
having hard stools
moderate afternoon/evening fatigue
poor cold weather tolerance
yellow/yellowish fingernails
occasional odd skin sensations
incoherent speech
seizures
... and more than 140 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 92% Confirm
Hypothyroidism 24% Unlikely
Ovarian Cysts 20% Unlikely
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 5% Ruled out
Adrenal Fatigue 0% Ruled out
Aspartame/Neotame Side-Effects 0% Ruled out
Perimenopause 0% 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.

Ovarian Cysts

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

Concerned or curious about your health?  Try The Analyst™
Symptom Entry
Symptom Entry
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Suggestions
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LifeMeter
LifeMeter®
Full Explanations
Explanations
Optional Doctor Review
Review (optional)
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