Menstrual Disorders:
What You Need to Know
Menstrual Disorders:
Menstrual cycles are a reflection of overall woman’s health.
30% of women encounter some or other menstrual problems during their childbearing age.
Abnormal menstruation is mainly too heavy or light or complete absence of cycle.
Pre Menstrual Syndrome
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) comprises issues like cramping, fatigue ness, and mood swings which usually go away when the period begins.
The interplay of hormones increasing and decreasing estrogen and progesterone hormones can lead to a variety of symptoms customarily uncomfortable leading up to a period.
PMS occurs 1-2 weeks before the period begins and is due to the dominance of progesterone hormones.
Symptoms & Management of PMS:
The common symptoms are bloating, irritability, headache, breast soreness, acne, food craving, mood swings, disturbance in sleep, constipation, diarrhea, and mild stomach cramps.
PMS is uncomfortable but generally worrisome unless it interferes with normal activities. You may experience different symptoms every month according to your stress factor, physical activities, and diet.
It can be managed with a low salt diet, avoiding sugars, and intake of Primosal oil capsules.
Normal Menstrual Cycle:
A normal cycle means different for every woman. Every woman identifies with a particular pattern of the cycle in terms of length and days.
If you feel any noticeable change in pattern, you should see your gynecologist to know about the cause.
Different Types of Menstrual Disorders:
Menstrual disturbances can be
Amenorrhea- Absence of menstruation, complete or for over a time period.
Hypomenorrhea- Scanty periods.
Oligomenorrhoea- Infrequent, prolonged periods.
Menorrhagia-Excess bleeding during periods.
Metrorrhagia-Irregular bleeding between periods.
Menometrorrhagia-Irregular bleeding, that is too heavy in between periods.
HEAVY PERIODS:
Menorrhagia or Heavy Periods cause you to bleed more than normal and for a longer time with clots, which may cause a fall in Hb level if continues over a few months.
It is caused mostly caused by an imbalance in hormone levels at puberty, after childbirth, or around menopausal years.
Other causes of heavy bleeding could be -
- Benign uterine tumors like fibroids.
- Infection around reproductive tracts.
- Underactive thyroids.
- Copper - T in place.
- Intake of drugs like anticoagulants.
U may attend a hospital with acute heavy bleeding as an emergency or you may notice a change in pattern in duration and amount with or without pain over three to six months and consult a gynecologist.
Absent Menstrual Periods:
It is called Amenorrhea.
It is primary when there is no onset of period by the age of 16 years. It may be caused by an issue with the pituitary gland, a congenital defect in the reproductive tract, or chromosomal abnormalities.
Secondary Amenorrhea occurs when you stop getting your periods for six months in a backdrop of irregular cycles or three months while having regular cycles previously.
Common causes of amenorrhea in teens could be, eating disorders, sudden weight gain or weight loss, PCOS, chromosomal abnormalities, or Birth defect in the uterus /vagina. Congenital heart diseases, ovarian and adrenal tumors, thyroid problems, chronic illness.
Common causes in the adult are often different-
- While breastfeeding,
- while on birth control pills.
- Pregnancy
- Premature ovarian insufficiency,
- Prolonged use of OC pills.
- Menopause
A missed period could mean you are pregnant, even though you might not be expecting with all-natural methods of contraception followed.
Drug store pregnancy kits are low-cost and can be sometimes unreliable.
You will always be advised to go for a blood test for pregnancy, which is confirmatory.
Irregular Periods:
Irregular bleeding in between menstruation can be very confusing. A woman may lose track of her cycle due to continuous on and off bleeding. In these cases, maintaining a calendar of bleeding and no bleeding days with amount helps to study the pattern.
Causes-
- Chronic anovulation or long-term thickening of the endometrium.
- Cervical infection or cancers
- Polyps
- Endometrial cancer( cancer of uterine lining)
Dysmenorrhoea:
Painful periods are called Dysmenorrhoea. It can be primary when there are no such abnormalities as such in your body.
Or secondary when associated with a disease process.
Primary Dysmenorrhoea is mostly seen in young girls and can be managed with good food, exercise, and regular pain killer with other home remedies.
Secondary Dysmenorrhoea is viewed more seriously as it can incapacitate a woman socially as well as sexually.
Causes are-
- Endometriosis (abnormal tissue growth outside of the uterus
- Fibroids
- Genital tract infection.
Diagnosis of Mentsrual Disorders:
The first step to diagnosing the menstrual problem is to know your pattern and see your doctor.
Your doctor will ask about the duration of even, sexual activity, contraception, and other lifestyle habits.
The doctor will do a physical examination, examine the cervix and take a pap smear if needed.
She may do a bed site scan and advice, and advice a pelvic scan from a radiologist if needed.
A pregnancy test may be done as a matter of exclusion
Other tests that may be advised to know the source of the problem are:
Endometrial biopsy,
Hysteroscopy,
MRI if needed based on the scan result.
Treatment of Mentsrual Disorders:
They may include, as per condition
- Regular Analgesia
- Hormonal Preparation
- Surgeries (Myomectomy, Cystectomy, Hysterectomy, Polypectomy)
- Levonorgesterol containing IUDs.
- Removal of an existing IUD.
- Antibiotics if infection suspected.
- Supplements like Iron, Vitamins.
Long Term Outlook:
- For long-term menstrual health, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, ideal weight,
- Set enough rest
- Practice stress reduction and relaxation technique
- Avoid excess exercise and dieting
- Follow menstrual and sexual hygiene to prevent infection
- Use suitable contraception
- Get regular gynecology to check up with PAP smear and scans
Irregularities in the period on short term have been encountered in women with Covid-19 infection or post-vaccination recently.
There are other factors like Diet, Stress, Physical Activity, and life-changing events that can impact the menstrual cycle.
Always discuss your concerns with your Gynecologist.