Causes and ways to handle irregular periods in puberty

Menstrual irregularities during puberty are normal. However, this condition can also be the result of eating disorders, nervous stress, sudden weight loss, etc.

Puberty is the age at which the body undergoes distinct changes in its physique and reproductive organs. At this age, women begin to menstruate. The menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next. Menstrual irregularity in puberty is considered a normal phenomenon because at this age the hormones are not really stable. So what to do to overcome irregular menstruation?

Irregular periods can have many different causes.

What causes menstrual irregularities during puberty?

Puberty is a time when the body undergoes sudden physiological and psychological changes. Therefore, menstrual irregularity at this age is considered a normal condition and is rarely a manifestation of dangerous diseases.

Here are some causes of menstrual irregularities in women during puberty:

Endocrine is not stable

When entering puberty, female-specific hormones such as progesterone and estrogen tend to increase suddenly. These hormones help women develop sex organs, get pregnant, and form sex characteristics. However, during puberty, the hormone levels in the body are not really stable, so the menstrual cycle has abnormal signs such as too much/too little blood, short/long menstrual cycle, etc.

Menstruation is directly controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. At a specific time of the month, the hypothalamus will begin to release the hormone Gn-RH, which then stimulates the pituitary gland to produce LH and FSH. FSH size eggs in follicles grow and increase in size. At the same time, LH combines with FSH to fully mature the follicle and stimulate ovulation.

About 14 days after ovulation (also known as ovulation), the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop, causing the lining of the uterus and follicles to be excreted into the vagina (called menstruation). Menstrual irregularities during puberty are defined as being caused by one or more disorders occurring in the above mechanism.

Due to improper diet

Improper diet is considered one of the causes of menstrual irregularity in puberty. Unlike other ages, puberty is a time when the body needs a lot of nutrition and energy to develop both physically and mentally.

Therefore, if you do not provide the necessary amount of nutrients, the body may lose weight, slow growth and affect the mechanism of menstrual formation. In fact, irregular eating habits, frequent additions of fast foods, processed foods, etc. can cause the body to lack micronutrients, leading to weight loss. by hormones and cause menstrual disorders .

Excessive nervous tension

During puberty, girls can experience nervous tension due to pressure from school and expectations from family. Unlike other ages, puberty is a time when psychology is quite sensitive and easily affected by actions and words from people around. Therefore, at this age, both women and men are prone to stress and some psychological problems such as emotional disorders, psychological disorders, behavior, etc.

Nervous system stress not only affects memory and learning ability, but also affects the menstrual cycle. Research shows that psychological problems can affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland (the organs that govern the body's endocrine production). The functioning of these organs is disturbed leading to irregular menstrual cycles, dysmenorrhea , amenorrhea, etc.

Excessive stress can lead to irregular prayer.

Pregnancy or using birth control pills

As mentioned, puberty is the age when the body undergoes rapid physical and mental changes. At this stage, parents need to closely monitor their children to guide them on how to take care and protect themselves. In fact, both men and women at this age tend to be curious about sexual problems that lead to unwanted pregnancy or early use of birth control pills .

During pregnancy, the follicle fuses with the sperm to form an embryo. Therefore, this period will not occur as usual. Therefore, in some cases, an abnormally long menstrual cycle can be a sign of pregnancy . To be sure, women can test using a pregnancy test.

How to overcome irregular periods during puberty

Menstruation during puberty can subside on its own after 2-3 years without intervention. However, these symptoms can affect a woman's quality of life. So in case of necessity, women can apply some of the following remedies:

Building a scientific diet

Building a scientific diet can improve menstrual disorders that occur during puberty. In addition, a healthy diet also helps the body grow quickly, strengthen health and immune function.

How to eat to help regulate menstruation for women at puberty:

• Increase the addition of healthy food groups such as green vegetables, fruits, water, fish, legumes, nuts, grains, etc.
• It is recommended to use foods containing high iron content such as beef, walnuts, liver, turmeric, radish, chicken, fish, etc. to promote red blood cell regeneration and prevent anemia caused by seaweed . menorrhagia , prolonged menorrhagia.
• Avoid using alcohol, coffee, carbonated soft drinks, fast food, processed foods, dishes containing hot spicy spices, salt and sugar, etc.
• Soy is one of the foods that are good for female hormones. Therefore, women in puberty should add this type of food to their daily diet. Isoflavones in soy have similar effects to the hormone estrogen produced by the ovaries.

Adjust living and exercise habits

Effective exercise can help improve overall health.

Stress, psychological and emotional disorders, ... are common causes of menstrual cycle disturbances during puberty. Therefore, in addition to building a diet, women should adjust their living and exercise habits. Not only beneficial for the endocrine system, a healthy lifestyle also helps promote health, reduce stress and prevent abnormal psychological problems.

Lifestyle and exercise habits to help improve menstrual irregularity during puberty:

• Should balance study time - rest. You can share the pressure of studying with friends and family.
• Make sure to sleep 7-9 hours/day.
• Change bad habits like smoking, staying up late...
• Do not exercise excessively. Instead, only train for 20-30 minutes with moderate-intensity subjects such as basketball, swimming, walking, jogging, cycling and yoga.

Keeping the intimate area clean

At puberty, women do not have enough awareness and experience in intimate hygiene. Therefore, parents should guide their children in proper hygiene to protect their health and prevent gynecological diseases. In rare cases, menstrual irregularities during puberty can be the result of vaginitis , cervicitis, etc.

How to take care of the intimate area for women during puberty:

• Clean the intimate area daily (1 - 2 times) with clean water or use mild cleaning solutions .
• When cleaning, do not douche too deeply into the vagina. This condition can make it easier for fungi, viruses, and bacteria to enter and cause infection.
• Change underwear daily and need to wash underwear clean, dry in the sun to kill yeast and bacteria buildup.
• Use tampons on menstrual days. Also, change the dressing and clean the intimate area every 4-5 hours, even if there is only a small amount of menstrual bleeding.
• Wear pants or skirts made of absorbent and breathable material. Avoid wearing tight clothing that causes wetness and itching in the intimate area.

Use supplements and pain relievers

For anemia or dysmenorrhea, some medications and supplements can be used to improve:

Iron tablets: Iron is an essential trace element for the production of red blood cells. For women with menstrual disorders due to anemia, iron tablets can be used to regulate menstruation and improve health.

Anti-inflammatory and pain relievers: If you have severe menstrual cramps, you can take some anti-inflammatory and pain relievers like Paracetamol, Diclofenac or Spasmaverine ( an antispasmodic painkiller). All of these drugs can be used without a prescription. However, to be on the safe side, you should consult your pharmacist before using it.

Note: Do not arbitrarily use hormone supplements and specific drugs without medical advice.

When to see a doctor?

Irregular menstrual periods during puberty are normal and hardly affect health. However, in some cases, this condition can be a manifestation of gynecological diseases and some unusual health problems.

Therefore, parents should take their children to see a doctor if they have the following signs:

• No period for 90 days.
• Vaginal area is itchy, red, swollen and white with abnormal color and odor.
• Menstrual blood is black with pus and has a foul odor.
• Menstruation lasts more than 7 days, heavy menstrual bleeding, severe abdominal pain, weakness, etc.
• Sudden weight loss, hirsutism, acne , etc.

Menstrual irregularities during puberty can occur for a variety of reasons. In case the condition does not improve when it improves at home or there are unusual signs, parents should take the initiative to bring their children to see a doctor for timely advice and treatment. At the same time, it is advisable to closely follow children, understand and empathize with them to limit unnecessary risks during puberty.