Menstrual Disorders: What You Need to Know

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Menstrual disorders are problems that affect a woman's normal menstrual cycle. They can cause physical and emotional distress, interfere with daily activities, and affect reproductive health. In this article, we will explore the types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of menstrual disorders.

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Types of Menstrual Disorders

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There are various types of menstrual disorders. They are described below:

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• Dysmenorrhea: refers to painful cramps during menstruation. It can be classified as primary or secondary, depending on the underlying cause. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by the natural production of prostaglandins, substances that make the uterus contract. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by other conditions that affect the uterus, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or infections.

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• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): refers to physical and psychological symptoms that occur before menstruation. These may include mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and food cravings. The exact cause of PMS is unknown, but it may be related to hormonal changes, neurotransmitter imbalances, or environmental factors.

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• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): is a severe form of PMS that affects a small percentage of women. It causes intense emotional and behavioural symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and relationships. These may include anger, aggression, sadness, hopelessness, guilt, confusion, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, or suicidal thoughts. PMDD is diagnosed based on specific criteria and requires medical attention.

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• Menorrhagia: is heavy bleeding during menstruation. It is defined as bleeding more than 80 millilitres (about 5 tablespoons) per cycle or lasting longer than 7 days. Menorrhagia can be caused by hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, infections, bleeding disorders, or medications.

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• Metrorrhagia: is bleeding between menstrual periods. It can be caused by hormonal imbalances, ovulation problems, uterine fibroids, polyps, infections, cancer, or medications.

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• Amenorrhea: is the absence of menstruation for more than 3 months in a woman who is not pregnant, breastfeeding, or menopausal. It can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary amenorrhea is when a girl has not started her periods by age 15. Secondary amenorrhea is when a woman who previously had regular periods stops having them for more than 3 months. Amenorrhea can be caused by hormonal imbalances, ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems, pituitary tumours, stress, excessive exercise, eating disorders, or medications.

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• Oligomenorrhea: is infrequent menstrual periods that occur less than every 35 days. It can be caused by hormonal imbalances, ovulation problems, PCOS, thyroid problems, stress, excessive exercise, eating disorders, or medications.

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• Hypomenorrhea: is light menstrual bleeding that lasts less than 2 days or requires less than 3 pads or tampons per day. It can be caused by hormonal imbalances,

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Menstrual disorders can have a significant impact on a woman's quality of life and well-being. They can affect her physical health, emotional health, social life, work performance, and sexual function. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

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• Severe pain during your period that does not improve with over-the-counter pain relievers
• Bleeding that is heavier than usual or lasts longer than seven days
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Missing your period for more than three months (unless you are pregnant or menopausal)
• Having very irregular or infrequent periods
• Having very light or scanty periods

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Menstrual Disorders

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The diagnosis and treatment of menstrual disorders depend on the underlying cause and the severity of the symptoms. Your doctor may perform a physical examination and ask you about your medical history and menstrual cycle. You may also need some tests such as blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound scans, hysteroscopy (a procedure that allows your doctor to look inside your uterus), endometrial biopsy (a procedure that involves taking a small sample of tissue from your uterus), or laparoscopy (a procedure that allows your doctor to examine your pelvic organs).

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Treatment Options for Menstrual Disorders

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The treatment options for menstrual disorders may include:

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• Pain relief medications: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by menstrual cramps or endometriosis.

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• Oral contraceptives: Birth control pills can help regulate hormone levels and reduce heavy bleeding or irregular periods. They can also help with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as mood swings, bloating, or breast tenderness.

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• Hormonal IUD or implant: A hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) or implant can release progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone, into the uterus. This can thin the lining of the uterus and reduce menstrual bleeding. It can also prevent pregnancy for several years.

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• Cyclic progestin: This is a type of hormone therapy that involves taking progestin pills for a certain number of days each month. This can help regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent excessive bleeding caused by anovulation (lack of ovulation) or endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterine lining).

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• Treatment for underlying disorders: Some menstrual disorders may be caused by other medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems, eating disorders, or uterine fibroids or polyps. Treating these conditions may help improve menstrual symptoms. For example, counselling and nutritional therapy may help with an eating disorder, while surgery may be needed to remove fibroids or polyps

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• Lifestyle changes: such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake

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Experiencing menstrual disorders or any other health challenges? Book a consultation with us now. We’re a women-only team of medical professionals strictly focused on women's health care.

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Sources

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Medical News Today: Common menstrual problems and how to manage them: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/menstrual-problems

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Healthy Women: Menstrual Disorders: https://www.healthywomen.org/condition/menstrual-disorders