Irregular menstrual periods may be caused by:
- Pregnancy.
- Use of hormonal birth control methods (birth control pills, progestin-only "mini-pills," Depo-Provera, or Norplant) or recently stopping birth control pills.
- Breast-feeding.
- Menopause.
- Severe physical or emotional stress or lifestyle change.
- Weight loss or weight gain.
- Excessive exercise or participation in endurance sports.
- Use of medications.
- Alcohol or drug abuse or withdrawal.
- Hormone imbalance.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | July 5, 2007 |
Author:Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Last Updated: 07/05/2007
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