You know birth control, pregnancy, and certain health conditions can switch up your monthly cycle.

But how long can alcohol delay your period, if at all and what about smoking?

These and more less-expected causes of irregular periods could be to blame, too.

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Wondering Why Your Period Is Irregular?

If your period changed became heavier, lighter, longer, or less frequent would you notice?

Overdoing the Alcohol

Can alcohol affect your period?

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As a result, your periods may become irregular or you may even skip them.

“It often takes a one-time extraordinarily stressful event to create an abnormal period,” says Dr. Lara-Torre.

Think: death of a family member, loss of your job, divorce, or illness.

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“With weight gain, your ovaries start producing extra testosterone.

Infections

Can infection delay your period?

You may even experience cramping because the uterus perceives bleeding as an irritant.

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(Hold on, canantibiotics make your birth control less effective?)

Shift Work

Your late nights at the office could actually be switching up your cycle.

Plus, the more your work schedule fluctuates, the more likely you are to experience problematic periods.

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Smoking

Can smoking make your period irregular?

Plus, those who smoke haveshorter and more irregular menstrual cyclesthan non-smokers.

Discuss your symptoms with your doctorif you think you might have PCOS.

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