Published on: 3/5/2025
There are several options to help manage irregular periods, such as hormonal treatments, including cyclical progestins or estrogens, and non-hormonal approaches like lifestyle changes that are especially useful for conditions like PCOS.
If your periods are irregular, your doctor might suggest different treatments depending on your needs. One common treatment is hormonal therapy. This could include taking progestogens cyclically, which help build and then shed the lining of your uterus in a regular pattern. In some cases, doctors recommend combining progestins with estrogens to better balance the hormones, especially if heavy bleeding is an issue. For adolescents or those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-hormonal treatment options are also available. These might focus on lifestyle changes, like eating well, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight, which can naturally help regulate your cycle. Your provider will review your overall health and any underlying conditions to choose the best approach for you. Whether the treatment involves hormones or non-hormonal methods, the goal is to bring regularity back to your menstrual cycle while also addressing any related symptoms or concerns. Always talk with your doctor about which treatment is right for your situation.
(References)
Reiser E, Lanbach J, Böttcher B, Toth B. Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Regulation of Menstrual Cycle in Adolescents with PCOS. J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 21;12(1):67. doi: 10.3390/jcm12010067. PMID: 36614868; PMCID: PMC9820988.
Bofill Rodriguez M, Lethaby A, Low C, Cameron IT. Cyclical progestogens for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Aug 14;8(8):CD001016. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001016.pub3. PMID: 31425626; PMCID: PMC6699663.
Hickey M, Higham JM, Fraser I. Progestogens with or without oestrogen for irregular uterine bleeding associated with anovulation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;2012(9):CD001895. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001895.pub3. PMID: 22972055; PMCID: PMC7061495.
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