Q My cycle is all over the place—some months 23 days, others 45 days. Why do irregular periods happen?
A Irregular periods usually occur because ovulation does not happen regularly. Common backgrounds include polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothalamic hormone imbalance, rapid weight changes, and stress.
Detailed Answer
Irregular menstruation appears as oligomenorrhea (lengthened cycles), menorrhagia (excessively heavy flow), or amenorrhea (no period for three months or more). The most common mechanism is ovulatory dysfunction, with hormonal imbalances such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction in the background. In addition, stress, rapid weight changes, and excessive exercise are common factors that disrupt the ovulatory rhythm.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At the clinic, we view a cooled uterus and blocked circulation as disrupting even the hormonal balance, making cycles erratic. In particular, when stress causes energy to stagnate and the lower abdomen becomes cold, the ovaries easily lose their rhythm. Rather than chasing the erratic cycle alone, we consider it important to address both the internal bodily environment and the circulation of qi and blood behind it.
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