Gynecology › Irregular Periods
Irregular periods: causes and care in Busan
Cycles that change length from month to month, come too often or too rarely, or stop altogether are a common reason to see an OB/GYN. Usually the cause is hormonal and manageable, such as PCOS, thyroid problems or stress. A Busan OB/GYN clinic can sort out the cause with an ultrasound and blood tests.
What counts as irregular
A typical adult cycle is roughly 21 to 35 days from the start of one period to the start of the next, and usually varies by only a few days. Periods may be considered irregular if:
- Cycles are shorter than about 21 days or longer than about 35 days
- Cycle length varies a lot from month to month
- You have fewer than about eight periods a year
- Periods stop for three months or more
Cycles are often irregular in the first years after periods start and in the years before menopause.
Common causes
- PCOS , one of the most common causes of long or unpredictable cycles
- Thyroid problems and high prolactin
- Stress, travel, weight change, intense exercise or under-eating
- Hormonal contraception , or coming off it
- Perimenopause and breastfeeding
- Structural problems such as polyps or fibroids, which more often cause bleeding between periods
- Pregnancy , which should always be ruled out
What the visit involves
The doctor will ask about your cycle pattern, weight, skin and hair changes, stress, medicines and plans for pregnancy. A pregnancy test, transvaginal or transabdominal ultrasound, and blood tests such as FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, thyroid function and sometimes AMH and testosterone are common. Some hormone tests are timed to the early days of your cycle, so the clinic may ask you to return.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and your goals. Options include combined hormonal contraception to regulate cycles, cyclic progestin to protect the uterine lining, treating thyroid or prolactin problems, lifestyle support, and ovulation induction if you want to conceive.
Cost and insurance
For people enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI), consultations, ultrasound and hormone tests for a medical concern are partly covered. Without NHI you pay the full fee. Ask for an estimate when you call; see our cost guides .
Tips for foreigners
Bring your ARC or passport and several months of period dates. Call ahead to check opening hours. See our international patients guide .
Related
Elsewhere in Korea
When to get help sooner
See a doctor if you have no period for three months, bleeding between periods or after sex, or very heavy bleeding. Go to an ER for heavy bleeding with dizziness, or pain with a positive pregnancy test.
OB/GYN clinics in Busan for irregular periods
Any general OB/GYN clinic can investigate irregular cycles. These clinics are spread across the city; tap a name for the full listing. Features are shown only where a public listing confirms them.
| Clinic | Area | Phone | Listed features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaen OB/GYN Clinic | Seomyeon (Bujeon-dong) | 051-804-3000 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Centum Eroom Women's Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-758-8275 | Sat, Fertility |
| Eve & Adam Women's Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-743-7585 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Ms For You Women's Clinic | Jwa-dong (Jangsan) | 051-636-7975 | Sat, Evenings |
| Dongnae Bom OB/GYN Clinic | Oncheon-dong | 051-711-2060 | Sat, Evenings |
| Seoul Samsung OB/GYN Clinic | Yeonsan-dong | 051-714-3500 | Sat |
| Jini OB/GYN Clinic | Jangjeon-dong (Pusan Natl Univ) | 051-582-8275 | Sat, Evenings |
| Mari Women's Clinic | Daeyeon-dong (Kyungsung-Pukyong Univ) | 051-626-1009 | Sat, STD tests |
| She's Bon OB/GYN Clinic | Suyeong / Millak area | Not listed | Sat, STD tests |
| Rose Women's Clinic | Nampo-dong | 051-245-7911 | Sat, Evenings |
| L Women's Clinic | Hadan-dong | 051-207-2727 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
Irregular period questions
Are irregular periods dangerous?
Not usually in the short term, but going many months without a period can let the uterine lining build up, which raises the long-term risk of endometrial problems. It is also worth finding causes like PCOS or thyroid disease that affect overall health.
Can moving to Korea make my periods irregular?
Yes. Travel, time-zone changes, stress, new diet and sleep changes can all temporarily affect ovulation. If irregularity continues for more than a few months, get checked.
Can I still get pregnant with irregular periods?
Yes, but it can be harder to predict ovulation, and some causes such as PCOS can reduce fertility. If you are trying to conceive, mention it at your visit.
Will the pill fix my irregular periods?
The pill creates regular withdrawal bleeds and is a common treatment, but it does not treat the underlying cause. Your doctor should look for the cause first.