Menstrual Problems

What are Menstrual Problems?

During a normal menstrual cycle, the release of an egg from one of the ovaries is called ovulation. If ovulation happens but the fertilization doesn’t occur, the uterine lining sheds through the vagina and is known as the menstrual period.

Now, if anything is abnormal with a menstrual period is known as a menstrual problem. It may include heavy or light periods, irregular periods, no periods, etc. The meaning of a normal or abnormal menstrual cycle is different for everyone. It is always better to consult a gynecologist if you notice any abnormal changes.

Everything You Need to Know About Menstrual Problems

What is PMS | Types of Menstrual Problems | Treatment of Menstrual Problems

What is PMS, and is it a Menstrual Problem?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of symptoms that women experience one or two weeks before the period begins. Different women experience different symptoms that can also become severe with time. Premenstrual syndrome can cause several symptoms like:

• Headache
• Bloating
• Backache
• Breast soreness
• Fatigue
• Acne and breakouts
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Stress
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomach cramps 

These symptoms of PMS can cause discomfort, but they are nothing serious. One may need to be concerned when these symptoms cause difficulties in daily-life activities. Also, Premenstrual syndrome or its symptoms are part of a period cycle. These symptoms are not severe and are not considered a menstrual problem.

Sub Treatments For Gynecology

Types of Menstrual Problems

1. Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods)

One of the usual menstrual problems is experiencing heavy periods during a period cycle. One out of every 20 women has this problem. This condition is known as menorrhagia in medical terms. With menorrhagia, you bleed more than usual, or your period cycle extends to more than 6-7 days.

Women who experience menorrhagia can’t focus on their daily activities because of excessive blood loss and non-stop cramping. Because of heavy bleeding, one has to change her tampons or pads every 2-3 hours.

Heavy periods are generally caused by a hormonal imbalance in your body but it has other common causes behind it. Some other causes of heavy periods include:

• Diet or exercise changes
• Puberty
• Infections in the vagina
• Hypothyroidism
• Fibroids
• Ovarian dysfunction
• Polyps
• Adenomyosis

A heavy period is a severe menstrual problem that comes with complications like anemia and severe pain. With such blood loss, a woman can experience anemia with tiredness, shortness of breath, or fatigue.

It is always important to know that you must see a doctor if you experience excessive tiredness or severe pain. In a situation where you have to change a pad every hour or if you are bleeding between period cycles, you must consult a doctor right away.

2. Amenorrhea (No Periods)

Another menstrual problem is with women that have no period cycle. Now, if a girl is

• over 14 years old and has no secondary sexual characteristics like breast and pubic hair or
• 16 years old with secondary sexual characteristics and hasn’t got her first period,
  

then this might indicate Primary Amenorrhea.

In addition, Secondary amenorrhea is a medical condition where you have missed your periods for a few months or more. Married or sexually active women who skip their periods think of it as a sign of pregnancy.

But, this menstrual problem can also happen in other women after missed three or more periods in a row. Women with amenorrhea or absent period cycle experience other related symptoms like Milky nipple discharge, Headache, Vision changes, Hair loss, Pelvic pain, facial hair, acne.

No period can be caused by different reasons. Some of the causes of primary and secondary amenorrhea are:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Increased Prolactin Hormone is known as Hyperprolactenemia
• Ovarian cysts
• Excessive Weight gain or loss
• Stopped birth control pills
• Pregnancy
• PCOS
• Pituitary tumor
• Anorexia
• Premature Ovarian failure
• Pelvic Inflammatory disease or infections of the uterine cavity as tuberculosis, chlamydia etc.

Also, amenorrhea in adults can be caused by normal physiological conditions as breastfeeding, menopause, pregnancy. Apart from natural amenorrhea like pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause, other cases can bring complications. This includes infertility problems, pregnancy complications, stress, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, pelvic pain, etc.

Visit a doctor and get a consultation if you have missed even one period cycle or are between 14-16 years old and have not had your first period.

3. Dysmenorrhea (Painful periods)

Another common menstrual problem is a medical condition where women experience severe pain during the menstruation cycle. Feeling normal cramps is normal and a part of PMS that almost all women experience. But, in some women, the pain is so severe that it restricts them from doing daily activities.

Symptoms of painful periods include throbbing pain in the lower abdomen, dull and continuous ache, lower back or thigh pain. On the other hand, some women also experience nausea, loose stools, dizziness, headaches, etc., with painful periods.

There are very few causes of painful periods or strong menstrual cramps. These may include:

• Endometriosis
• Cervical stenosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Adenomyosis

If you face such symptoms, consult your doctor at the earliest.

Treatment of Menstrual Problems

Treatment of each menstrual problem is different and also depends upon the symptoms a patient is experiencing. The doctor can prescribe birth control pills to women with severe PMS symptoms and to regulate heavy flow. Also, women that have menstrual problems due to thyroid or other hormonal disorder will be prescribed hormone replacements.

Apart from this, any other cause of some specific menstrual problem will require specific medications and management. You need to consult your gynecologist to get the correct treatment.

If you have heavy periods, no periods or painful periods, do not ignore them. We at Gunjan IVF world are just an appointment away to bid farewell to all your problems.

Our Expert Team