Irregular periods: when is it PCOS, and when should you see a doctor?

Almost every woman has a late period now and then. Stress, travel, illness or a change in routine can all shift a cycle. But when periods are irregular month after month, it is worth finding out why.

What counts as "irregular"?

For adults, doctors usually consider these irregular:

• Cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
• Fewer than eight periods in a year
• Cycles that vary a lot from month to month

In the first few years after periods start, irregular cycles are common and often settle by themselves.

Common causes

PCOS is one of the most common causes, but not the only one:

• PCOS (often with acne, extra hair or weight changes)
• Thyroid problems, both underactive and overactive
• High prolactin
• Stress, big weight changes or very intense exercise
• Breastfeeding or approaching menopause
• Some medicines

That is why your doctor may test thyroid and prolactin before saying it is PCOS.

See a doctor soon if

• You have had no period for three months and you are not pregnant
• Bleeding is very heavy (soaking a pad every hour) or lasts more than a week
• You bleed between periods or after sex
• You have severe pain
• You are trying to get pregnant and cycles are irregular

What to track before your visit

Note the start date of each period and how long it lasted. Three months of dates help your doctor more than any description. A simple tracker is enough.

If it is PCOS

Irregular periods in PCOS are very manageable. Depending on your situation, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes, medicines to regulate cycles, or treatment to help ovulation if you want to conceive. Following that plan steadily is what brings cycles back towards normal.