4 tips to show you how to deal with irregular periods
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It’s hard enough having to put up with your period every month, but it’s even worse if ‘Aunt Flo’ arrives unannounced. Suddenly discovering that your period has started, especially when you’re an on-the-go mum, can be more than a minor inconvenience. Especially if it starts on the day you decided to brave a white dress…
But many women have irregular periods, often starting a few days early or late. New mums, in particular, find that fluctuating prenatal and postnatal hormones can play havoc with their menstrual cycle. The good news is there are ways to deal with irregular periods.
If your cycle is shorter than 21 days or longer than 35, or your periods are suddenly much heavier and more painful, we advise you see a doctor.
But if your body is just bad at timekeeping, here are some ways to deal with any potential inconveniences, as well as tips to help you regulate your cycle where possible.
1. Slip an Always Dailies into your handbag
Deal with any leaks by wearing an Always Dailies Singles to Go Liner. They are super thin and breathable so you’ll barely feel that you’re wearing them. Also, they are dermatologically tested and safe for everyday use.
Click here to buy a pack of Always Dailies Singles to Go Liner now.
2. Reduce caffeine
Studies have shown that regular caffeine fixes can shorten your menstrual cycle, so it’s best to reduce coffee and caffeinated fizzy drinks if you have irregular periods.
Chances are you cut down on caffeine when you were pregnant, so try the same tricks now – whether that’s switching to de-caff, green tea, or just drinking lots of water and taking a walk in the fresh air. Find what makes you feel naturally more awake and your body will thank you for it.
3. Manage your stress
Of course, this is easier said than done when you’re a busy mum doing everything at once. But if you’re so stressed it’s affecting your menstrual cycle, something’s got to give.
The first thing to do is to ask for help, whether that’s getting your partner to take on parent duty so you can start going to yoga classes, asking friends or family to babysit so you can have a night off – even just to sleep – or talking to a therapist to help learn techniques for dealing with stress.
You might feel like this is self-indulgent when you’ve got children to look after, but you need to look after yourself first. Otherwise you’re no good to anyone!
4. Maintain a healthy weight
You could be feeling pressure from picture-perfect Insta-mums who are back in their size 8 running gear before you’ve even figured out how to breastfeed. Or perhaps you’ve decided to keep “eating for two”, even though your baby is now two years old…
Either way, extreme weight loss or weight gain can be damaging to your overall health, including your menstrual cycle. If you want to lose weight, it’s important to do it slowly and steadily, and you’re much more likely to keep the weight off that way than if you crash diet.
Try to cut down on snacks (that includes the uneaten fish fingers your kid left on the plate!), eat wholesome, nutritious food, and exercise regularly – simply by running around the garden with your kids, or briskly pushing the pram around the park (no more avoiding those hills!).
If you keep yourself happy and healthy, your menstrual cycle should follow suit and irregular periods shouldn’t be a problem. But if you continue to struggle, do book a visit to your GP.
How do you deal with irregular periods?
Let us know in the comments below!