Menstrual Disorders: Types & Symptoms
Heavy bleeding, missed periods, and uncontrollable mood swings are among the physical and mental symptoms that occur right before and during menstruation.
Some women have no problems getting through their monthly periods. Their periods are almost as predictable as clockwork, beginning and ending at approximately the same time each month and providing little more than a slight annoyance.
Other women, on the other hand, suffer a variety of physical and mental symptoms before and during menstruation. These symptoms can cause substantial disruptions in a woman’s life, ranging from excessive bleeding and missing periods to uncontrollable mood swings.
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Most menstrual cycle issues have simple causes, and there are a variety of therapy options available to alleviate your symptoms. If your periods are making you feel overwhelmed, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
Your menstrual period is a portion of your menstrual cycle, which is a series of changes in your body (ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts) that occurs every 28 days on average. Some menstrual periods are a little longer, while others are a little shorter. The first day of your menstrual cycle is the first day of your menstruation. The usual menstrual cycle is five to seven days long. What constitutes a “regular” menstrual cycle for you may differ from what is “normal” for someone else.
You may have a menstrual cycle “disorder” if one or more of the symptoms you encounter before or during your period causes you problems.
Amenorrhea is a condition in which a woman’s menstrual cycle has totally halted. Unless a woman is pregnant, nursing, or going through menopause, missing her period for 90 days or more is considered odd (which generally occurs for women between ages 45 and 55). Amenorrhea affects young women who haven’t begun menstruation by the age of 15 or 16, or within three years of their breasts developing.
Oligomenorrhea – (fewer than six to eight periods per year). Infrequent menstrual periods.
Dysmenorrhea – Period discomfort and severe menstrual cramps.
Most women experience some discomfort during their period.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding – A stronger monthly flow; a cycle that lasts longer than seven days; or bleeding or spotting between periods, after intercourse, or after menopause.
What can be done to lessen the risk of irregular menstruation (periods)?
Here are some self-care recommendations:
Exercise modestly and eat nutritious meals to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you must lose weight, do it gradually rather than resort to fad diets that severely restrict your calorie and food consumption.
Make certain you receive adequate rest.
Use relaxation and stress-reduction practices.
If you’re an athlete, reduce the amount of time you spend exercising. Excessive physical activity might result in irregular periods.
Follow the instructions for using birth control tablets or other contraceptive methods.
To prevent infections and toxic shock syndrome, change your tampons or sanitary napkins every four to six hours.
Regular visits to the doctor are recommended.
When should you consult a doctor for irregular menstruation (periods)?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, see a doctor or medical professional:
- Painful periods or times between periods.
- Unusually heavy bleeding (two to three hours of soaking through a sanitary pad or tampon per hour) or big clots.
- Vaginal discharge that is odd or smells bad.
- High temperature.
- A stretch of time that lasts longer than seven days.
- Between periods or after menopause, you may experience vaginal bleeding or spotting.
- After having normal menstrual cycles, your periods become quite erratic.
- During your period, you may have nausea or vomiting.
Toxic shock syndrome symptoms include a temperature of more than 102 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, or dizziness. - If you suspect you could be pregnant, you should also consult a doctor.
