Menstruation is a natural part of a woman’s life, but it isn’t always as simple as it seems. Each woman’s experience is unique, and disruptions to the menstrual cycle can affect overall health. Issues like irregular periods, heavy or painful bleeding, excessive flow, and premenstrual symptoms can make daily life both physically and emotionally challenging.
These menstrual issues usually result in tiredness, exhaustion, mood swings, anxiety, and, in some cases, anemia because of excessive blood flow. Hormonal imbalances, stress, poor diet, and unhealthy lifestyle are some common habits that affect the period cycle.
What Are Menstrual Problems, and Why Do They Happen?
Menstrual problems are becoming very common these days, involving irregularities in a woman’s period, affecting the cycle’s timing, amount of flow, or other related signs. These irregularities can be caused by many factors, like
- Hormone Imbalance: Fluctuations in hormones can disrupt the balance of estrogen and progesterone. This can cause irregular menstrual cycles, including skipped periods, unusually heavy periods, or irregular periods.
- Lifestyle Factors And Stress: High stress and unhealthy habits can affect hormone production, potentially causing delayed, skipped, or erratic periods and amplified menstrual discomfort.
- Reproductive Health Conditions: Problems like uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease can disrupt reproductive health. They often cause heavy bleeding, severe pain, irregular periods, and even challenges with getting pregnant.
- Medical Treatment: Hormonal contraception or chemotherapy can disrupt the menstrual cycle. This can result in periods that are unpredictable, less heavy, or temporarily absent.
- Sudden Weight Change: Whether losing or gaining, these sudden changes in weight also disrupt hormone levels, resulting in irregular periods, heavy flow, or intense bleeding.
Types Of Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual disorders disrupt a woman’s typical menstrual cycle. This includes absent periods and excessively heavy or painful bleeding. Some women experience irregular cycles, while others have severe premenstrual symptoms.
A cycle occurring less frequently than every 21 days, with intervals exceeding three months, or lasting over 10 days, could indicate a need for medical evaluation. Some of the most frequent menstrual disorders that can be experienced by women are:
1. Amenorrhea( Absence Of Periods)
Amenorrhea is characterized by a lack of menstruation for a period of 90 days or more. It is classified into primary and secondary forms, depending on when it first occurs.
- Primary Amenorrhea: The onset of menstruation in girls, known as menarche, which usually starts from the age of 12 to 13 years, with an average of 12.5 years. When the first period doesn’t occur till the age of 16, it is diagnosed as primary amenorrhea, indicating a delay in the onset of normal puberty and menstrual function.
- Secondary Amenorrhea: In this condition woman stops having her periods suddenly, after previously having regular cycles, and for three to four months or longer, there is no bleeding. This condition may result from various factors like hormonal imbalances, stress, excessive physical exercise, sudden weight change, or other medical problems.
2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is a menstrual problem in which the way you bleed is not normal. Women with AUB may have periods that come too often (less than 24 days apart) or bleeding that lasts longer than 7–8 days.
Other common signs are bleeding or spotting between periods, passing big blood clots, or having to change pads or tampons that are completely soaked every two hours or even overnight.
Hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, polyps, thyroid problems, or problems with blood clotting can all cause this bleeding that isn’t normal.
AUB can make a woman tired, weak, and anemic over time because it causes too much blood loss. This can make it hard for her to go about her daily life and hurt her health.
3. Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)
In this condition, women generally feel intense, frequent menstrual cramps or pain. In this pain, there are crampy sensations in the lower abdomen, moreover extending to the lower back and thighs. In such a case, women feel like vomiting, have nausea, and experience diarrhea. Dysmenorrhea is of two types:
- Primary Dysmenorrhea: This is typically defined by a cramping pain starting from the lower abdomen, which usually starts at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, with no evident pelvic disease.
- Secondary Dysmenorrhea: In this condition, women have very painful and difficult periods, which are generally caused by pelvic issues, like endometriosis
4. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)
Menorrhagia is a common menstrual problem characterized by unusually heavy or prolonged periods. Women affected by this condition often experience significant blood loss, which means they may need to change fully soaked sanitary pads or tampons every hour or at least five times a day.
Another sign of menorrhagia is bleeding that continues for more than seven days. This excessive blood loss can lead to tiredness, weakness, and in severe cases, iron deficiency anemia. Such symptoms can disrupt daily activities and have a serious impact on a woman’s overall health and well-being.
5. Oligomenorrhea (Infrequent Periods)
Oligomenorrhea describes infrequent periods, with cycles exceeding 35 days and fewer than nine periods annually. It often happens because of hormonal issues and can be related to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome( PCOS), problems with the thyroid, major stress, rigorous exercise, or abrupt weight shifts. Although it’s common for cycles to fluctuate slightly, persistent irregular or delayed periods can indicate that there is a health concern that needs your immediate attention.
6. Polymenorrhea
In this condition menstrual cycle becomes generally short, which causes periods to arrive more often, which can be less than 21 days apart. This causes heavy bleeding during periods, which makes women suffer from heavy pain, making them uncomfortable, and disrupting their daily routine.
This is caused by hormonal imbalances, stress, thyroid problems, or other reproductive health issues. If a period appears for a short time once or twice is common, but if it’s happening continuously, then it is a matter of concern.
7. Hyponorrhea And Hypermenorrhea
– Hypomenorrhea
Hypomenorrhea refers to unusually light menstrual bleeding, often lasting less than two days and requiring little or no use of sanitary protection. It can sometimes go unnoticed but may indicate an underlying hormonal or health issue.
– Hypermenorrhea
In this condition there is excessive bleeding; sometimes there is a blood loss of more than 90 ml in a single cycle. This blood loss can even result in iron deficiency anemia.
These problems are frequently linked to hormonal fluctuations, issues with the uterus, or other medical conditions that might impact a woman’s reproductive health.
8. Menorrhagia And Menometrorrhagia
– Menorrhagia
In this condition, there is irregular spotting or bleeding that happens between regular menstrual cycles. There can be minimal to significant bleeding.
Stress, certain medications, or structural problems in the uterus, such as polyps or thickening of the uterine lining(endometrial hyperplasia), can also affect the bleeding and result in irregular blood flow.
– Menometrorrhagia
In this condition, there is excessive and lengthy bleeding that occurs irregularly, in addition to the regular menstrual cycles.
Menometrorrhagia frequently results in excessive, irregular bleeding that may persist for extended periods.
The underlying causes commonly include hormonal imbalances, growths in the uterus, or blood-clotting issues, which can significantly disrupt daily routines.
9. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Before a woman gets her period, she may experience physical and emotional changes due to a common condition called premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Bloating, mood swings, fatigue, irritability, food cravings, breast tenderness, and other symptoms typically start 1-2 weeks before menstruation and go away once the bleeding begins.
For many women, it can impact their everyday activities and general well-being, with varying degrees of severity.
10. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
This troublesome menstrual problem brings considerable emotional and physical suffering before menstruation. Women may have strong mood swings, feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, tiredness, and physical ailments.
The signs begin one to two weeks ahead of a period and could interfere with everyday life. Medical help is frequently needed to manage and reduce these symptoms.
11. Perimenopausal And Postmenopausal Bleeding
– Perimenopausal Bleeding: Irregular bleeding during the perimenopausal stage is usually caused by hormonal changes before menopause.
The menopausal stage usually falls between the ages of 45 and 55. During this period, the bleeding pattern can be very intense, sometimes it can be less heavy, or it can be unpredictable.
– Postmenopausal Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding after menopause may occur due to a thinning uterine lining, hormone imbalances, or the presence of non-cancerous growths such as polyps or fibroids. More severe conditions, like endometrial hyperplasia or cancer, can also be a cause.
Causes Of Menstrual Disorders
Knowing how the menstrual cycle works is important for spotting any strange patterns. Hormonal changes, problems with the reproductive system, your lifestyle, or health issues you already have could all be to blame for these irregularities. Here is a list of the most common reasons for irregular periods, grouped by type:
1. Hormonal Imbalance: Changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone can disrupt your menstrual cycle, leading to periods that are irregular, heavier than normal, absent, or hard to predict.
2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS): In this condition, several ovarian cysts lead to breakouts, increased body mass, unpredictable menstrual cycles, and hormonal disruptions.
3. Thyroid Disorders: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can disrupt hormone equilibrium, potentially causing irregular periods, excessive menstrual flow, or prolonged cycles.
4. Uterine Fibroids or Polyps: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus can cause heavy bleeding, long periods, or pain during your period.
5. Stress and Lifestyle Habits: Significant stress, substantial weight fluctuations, excessive exercise, and a poor diet can disrupt the regular hormonal balance.
6. Endometriosis: A medical issue where uterine-like tissue develops outside the uterus, frequently causing intense pain, significant bleeding, or erratic menstrual cycles.
7. Medications: Certain medications, such as oral contraceptives, anticoagulants, or psychiatric medications, can impact the menstrual cycle.
8. Chronic health conditions: Chronic health issues like diabetes or eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, can upset the body’s balance and cause irregular menstrual cycles.
9. Perimenopause: In the years before menopause, periods might become inconsistent because the body is naturally adapting to shifts in hormone levels.
Signs Your Period Is Not Normal
Signs of an irregular cycle can often be recognized by paying attention to certain obvious changes or patterns. Like:
- Bleeding that soaks a pad or tampon every hour for several hours.
- Period lasting more than 7 days.
- Very light or missed periods.
- Severe period cramps.
- Spotting or bleeding between periods.
- Cycle shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
- Periods that suddenly become irregular.
- Passing large blood clots.
- Heavy bleeding causes dizziness or fatigue.
- Breast tenderness that worsens each cycle
- Sudden weight changes affect your periods.
How Do Irregular Periods Affect Your Body?
Irregular periods not only affect you, but they also affect your physical and mental health. When the menstrual cycle starts fluctuating, it starts hampering your overall health, from changes in hormones to many other health issues.
| Effects On the Body | What Happens? |
| Hormonal Imbalance | Triggers acne, unexpected weight changes, hair thinning or excess hair |
| Fertility Challenges | Irregular ovulation makes it harder to conceive naturally |
| Bone Health Issue | Low estrogen weakens bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis |
| Heart Health Risks | Fluctuating hormones may raise cholesterol and heart disease risks |
| Emotional Changes | Mood swings, anxiety, and even depression can become more frequent |
| Fatigue And Low Energy | Heavy and unpredictable bleeding can lead to anaemia and exhaustion |
| Breast Tenderness | Hormonal fluctuations may cause swelling, pain, or tenderness in the breasts |
| Cancer Risk | Long-term imbalances might increase the risk of uterine or breast cancer. |
How Can Menstrual Disorders Lead To Anaemia?
Women with periods that are heavy and prolonged frequently experience significant blood loss. This can further lead to anaemia. There are certain symptoms that will help you recognise if heavy periods are causing anaemia in your body:
- Constant tiredness or feeling weak
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Shortness of breath, even with little effort
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Headache or trouble concentrating
- Brittle nails or hair loss
Menstrual Problems Every Woman Should Know
A woman’s general health is good if she has a regular period. But there are a lot of women who have problems with their periods that generally go unnoticed or are not talked about. If these problems are detected early, you can avoid bigger health issues later on. Here are the three most common period problems that every woman should know about:
1. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menorrhagia): In this condition, periods that are too heavy can last a long time, requiring pad or tampon changes every hour, passing large blood clots, or bleeding for more than a week. Heavy menstrual bleeding is often linked to hormonal shifts, growths in the uterus, such as fibroids, or issues with blood clotting that prevent your body from effectively stopping blood loss.
2. Irregular Periods: Irregular periods, including those that are too often, too infrequent, or erratic, can be influenced by stress, thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and disorders such as PCOS, which impacts your menstrual cycle.
3. Painful Periods: Dysmenorrhea, or painful periods, are usually characterised by severe cramps that interfere with day-to-day functioning and are frequently caused by endometriosis, fibroids, or too much of the chemicals that trigger strong cramps.
Risk Factors Of Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual disorders are a group of problems that affect women’s periods. They can make your period more irregular, causing heavy blood flow, or can cause severe period cramps, or sometimes even cause you can miss your period. Here are some things that can make you more likely to have menstrual problems:
Age: Girls in their teens and women in their 40s frequently experience inconsistent menstrual cycles as a result of natural hormonal shifts during puberty and the perimenopause phase.
Stress: Excessive stress can disrupt your hormones, causing your cycle to stop altogether or to have irregular periods or delays.
Rapid Weight Change (Too Low or Too High): Obesity and underweight can both interfere with ovulation. Furthermore, abrupt changes in weight may result in irregular or nonexistent menstruation.
Excessive Workouts: Exercise is good for you, but too much of it without the right food could cause missed or irregular periods.
Family History Matters: If your mother or sister has PCOS, endometriosis, or thyroid problems, you may be more likely to have problems with your periods.
Underlying Health Problems: Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or PCOS can subtly affect your menstrual cycle. Routine medical examinations can help identify these conditions early, which can then help in maintaining a regular period.
Medications: Certain medications, such as blood thinners, hormonal IUDs, or antidepressants, can affect how often or how heavy your periods are.
Lifestyle factors: Bad habits like smoking, drinking too much, and not getting enough sleep can mess with hormones and cause periods to be late or not happen at all.
Reproductive Health Conditions: Heavy or difficult periods can be caused by fibroids, polyps, infections, or other medical conditions impacting your menstrual cycle and flow.
Early or Late First Period: If your period starts very early (before 12) or very late (after 15), it could be a sign that you will have menstrual problems later in life.
Complications Of Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual disorders go beyond simply having periods that are overly heavy or irregular; they can lead to significant health complications if ignored. Understanding these problems makes you more aware and helps you take proper steps to safeguard your health and overall well-being.
Iron Deficiency: Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding, is one of the main causes of anaemia. Too much blood loss lowers the number of red blood cells and iron in your body, making you tired, weak, dizzy, and short of breath. Pale skin and tiredness that happens a lot are also common signs.
Pregnancy Challenges: Endometriosis and PCOS are two conditions that can make it less likely for a woman to get pregnant naturally because they can mess with ovulation or implantation. Irregular cycles can also make it harder to figure out when ovulation is happening.
Chronic Pelvic Pain: Endometriosis and uterine fibroids can both cause severe, recurring pelvic pain that makes it hard to do everyday things. The pain may last longer than the menstrual period, making it hard to work, have relationships, and feel good about yourself.
Stress and Anxiety: Dealing with inconsistent periods, persistent pain, or excessive bleeding can bring on feelings of worry, sadness, or emotional exhaustion. Intense PMS or PMDD may also cause significant mood changes, affecting your ability to manage daily routines.
Bone Health Problems (Osteoporosis): Low estrogen levels can cause missed periods (amenorrhea), and over time, the bones may become weaker. This makes it more likely that you will get breaks and osteoporosis.
Cardiovascular Risks: The shifts in hormones during a period might increase cholesterol and, in the future, elevate your risk of heart disease.
Uterine Health Risk: Long or irregular bleeding, or not ovulating, can make the lining of the uterus thicker. Over time, this could make it a little more likely that you will get endometrial cancer.
Diagnosis of Menstrual Disorders
Finding out what is causing menstrual problems is very important for getting the right treatment. To find the cause of cycle problems, doctors do thorough evaluations that include looking at a person’s medical history, doing physical exams, and running specialized tests. They then create a treatment plan that is unique to each person.
1. Medical History:
When you visit your doctor, they’ll start by asking simple but important questions to understand your menstrual cycle better:
a. Period Details:
- Is your period regular or irregular?
- How many days do they usually last?
- Is your flow light, normal, or very heavy?
b. Have you missed any periods?
c. Have you seen any changes in your body? Like:
- Constant tiredness
- Mood swings
- Weight gain or loss
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Unusual hair growth
d. Your family history:
- Does anyone in your family have menstrual problems?
- Has anyone been diagnosed with PCOS or endometriosis?
- Are there any thyroid issues in your family?
e. What’s your lifestyle like?
- Are you feeling stressed lately?
- How is your diet and exercise routine?
- Are you getting proper sleep?
2. Body Checkup
Next, your doctor might do a pelvic and physical exam to look for important signs, such as:
Hormonal Imbalances: Acne, unusual hair growth on the face or body (hirsutism), hair thinning on the head, or abrupt weight fluctuations might signal PCOS or other hormonal problems.
Thyroid Problems: Issues with the thyroid might lead to neck swelling, lumps, or soreness. These symptoms can indicate that the thyroid is overactive or underactive.
Pelvic Abnormalities: Discomfort, puffiness, or unusual sensations in the pelvic region might signal uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, infections, or structural changes within the reproductive system.
Signs Of Infection: Uncommon vaginal discharge, redness, or sensitivity; these might indicate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or another type of infection.
3. Blood Tests:
To figure out what’s causing irregular periods, your doctor may start with a blood test. This test checks hormone levels and overall health to identify underlying issues that might not be apparent.
1. Reproductive Hormones (FSH, LH, Estrogen, Progesterone)
These hormones are the most important ones that control your menstrual cycle, ovulation, and overall fertility. A simple blood test checks the levels of these hormones to see if your reproductive system is working properly.
What do they reveal?
- FSH & LH: Irregularities might signal issues with ovulation, such as PCOS or premature ovarian failure.
- Estrogen: Low levels might signal hormone imbalances or menopause. High levels could indicate cysts or excessive estrogen.
- Progesterone: This test aids in confirming ovulation. If progesterone is low, it often suggests anovulation, a frequent reason for irregular periods or trouble getting pregnant.
2. Thyroid hormone tests (TSH, T3, T4)
The thyroid gland greatly influences your metabolism speed, energy levels, and menstrual cycle timing. A standard blood test analyses these hormones to assess if the thyroid is functioning correctly.
What do they reveal?
- TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): If your levels are high, it could mean you have hypothyroidism, which can make your periods heavy, irregular, or even stop altogether.
- T3 & T4 (Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine): If your levels are higher than normal, it could mean you have hyperthyroidism, which means your thyroid is working too hard. This often goes along with having few, short, or no periods, or losing a lot of weight.
3. Prolactin Levels
A routine blood test can show how much prolactin is in the body. The pituitary gland makes prolactin. People often use this test when their periods stop or become irregular for no clear reason.
What do they reveal?
- Hyperprolactinemia, or high prolactin levels, can stop menstrual cycles (amenorrhoea) and make it hard to ovulate.
- It may be caused by stress, certain medications(like antidepressants or antipsychotics), or a small pituitary tumour ( prolactinoma)
- If you have a tumour, high prolactin levels can also cause headaches or changes in vision, as well as breast milk production that happens without warning.
4. Iron And Haemoglobin(Anemia Check)
This blood test checks your haemoglobin and iron levels to see if heavy periods have caused anaemia. Women who have long or heavy periods (menorrhagia) should have this test done on a regular basis.
What do they reveal?
- Low haemoglobin or iron levels indicate iron deficiency anaemia caused by blood loss during heavy periods.
- Extreme tiredness, weakness, dizziness, pale or cold skin, and trouble breathing are all signs of anaemia.
- Early detection helps your doctor recommend iron supplements, dietary changes, or treatment for the heavy bleeding itself.
5. Clotting and Bleeding Tests (PT, aPTT, Platelet Count)
These blood tests check to see if your coagulation factors are working properly and how well your blood is clotting.
What does it reveal?
- Periods that are unusually heavy or last a long time may be a sign of a bleeding disorder.
- You can get tested to see if you have von Willebrand disease or problems with your platelets.
4. Imaging Test
Doctors use imaging tests to figure out what’s causing heavy bleeding, strange periods, or stomach cramps. These scans can show problems in the pelvic area that regular blood tests and physical exams might not find.
1. Pelvic Ultrasound
One of the most common and least invasive imaging tests is a pelvic ultrasound. It makes pictures of your uterus, ovaries, and endometrial lining using sound waves that are very high in frequency. This test is done to detect common reproductive issues like:
- Uterine fibroids(non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy or prolonged periods)
- Ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs that may disrupt your menstrual cycle)
- Endometrial polyps (small growths in the uterine lining that can cause irregular bleeding).
How is it done?
The procedure is completely painless. A handheld device called a transducer is gently moved over your lower abdomen to capture images. You may need to drink water beforehand to fill your bladder, which helps create clearer, more detailed images of your pelvic organs.
2. Transvaginal Ultrasound
To get sharper, more specific images, your healthcare provider might recommend a transvaginal ultrasound. During this procedure, a slender, probe-like device is carefully placed into the vagina. This allows for a closer and more detailed look at your uterus, ovaries, and related organs. It is a safe and widespread technique that assists in identifying issues such as fibroids, cysts, or endometrial problems.
- Compared to a regular pelvic ultrasound, it gives better pictures of the ovaries and uterus.
- Helps you find minor issues like tiny fibroids, early signs of endometriosis, or polycystic ovaries.
The best time for the test
Doctors usually recommend getting this scan done on days four to six of your cycle when the lining of the uterus is at its thinnest. This makes it easier to find any problems that may be there.
3. MRI Scan
An MRI scan uses radio waves and magnets to generate detailed images of pelvic structures. It’s often employed when ultrasounds provide unclear findings or to diagnose conditions like deep fibroids, adenomyosis, or pelvic endometriosis, which can cause issues with menstruation. It helps in detecting:
- Adenomyosis ( when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall, causing heavy and painful periods).
- Fibroids that are very deep in the body or ovarian cysts that are very complicated.
- Hidden pelvic abnormalities that are difficult to see on ultrasound.
Tests Your Doctor May Order for Menstrual Issues
| Condition | Key Tests & Checks |
| Missed Periods(Amenorrhea) | Hormone testsPelvic ultrasoundMRIChromosome tests, if needed |
| Heavy Irregular Bleeding | Pregnancy testBlood tests and ultrasoundEndometrial biopsy |
| Bleeding Near Menopause | Pap smearPelvic ultrasoundHysteroscopy |
| Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea) | Medical historyUltrasoundMRILaparoscopy |
| PMS & PMDD Symptoms | Track system for 2 cyclesThyroid testTest for anaemia if there’s ongoing fatigue |
Treatment For A Menstrual Disorder
When a woman has menstrual problems like missed periods, heavy bleeding, bad cramps, or cycles that aren’t regular, the way she deals with them depends on her age, health, plans for future pregnancies, and the problem itself. Changes to lifestyle, medication, or surgery can fix a lot of problems.
1. Lifestyle Changes And Home Remedies
Changing your way of life can help your body get back to normal. This might help with mild menstrual problems or be part of your overall health plan:
- Healthy Diet & Exercise: Eating a lot of healthy foods and working out often may help balance hormones, which could make your periods better.
- Stress Management: Doing yoga, meditating, and taking deep breaths may help with period problems that are caused by stress.
- Weight Management: Getting to and staying at a healthy weight can be especially helpful for women with PCOS or menstrual problems that are linked to being overweight.
2. Medical Treatments
Your doctor might be able to suggest the best medicines for you.
Pain Relievers(NSAIDs): NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen lower the levels of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause both pain and the uterus to contract. This process helps with menstrual cramps, which are also called dysmenorrhea.
Hormonal Therapy: Oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills, or hormonal IUDs can help make your periods regular, reduce excessive bleeding (menorrhagia), and correct hormonal imbalances often seen with conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis.
Iron Supplements: Good for women who have anaemia because they have heavy or long periods. Getting more iron can help with tiredness, weakness, and other symptoms of anaemia.
Antifibrinolytics: Tranexamic acid and similar medications manage heavy menstrual bleeding by reducing the breakdown of blood clots in the womb. These are most effective for excessive periods not linked to hormonal imbalances.
Metformin: Women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are often given metformin to help them lose weight, make their insulin more sensitive, and get their periods and ovulation back to normal.
Treatment of Menstrual Disorder According To The Specific Condition
1. Amenorrhea(Absent Periods)
Making changes to your life to deal with stress, weight, or too much exercise.
- Hormonal treatments like birth control pills or estrogen replacement are used if the problem is caused by an imbalance in hormones.
- If there is a structural or genetic condition affecting the period cycle causing delay, then surgery might be needed to fix it.
2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding(AUB)
- Polyps: Taken out through hysteroscopic resection for effective relief.
- Fibroids: Managed medically with IUDs or GnRH agonists, or surgically with myomectomy or hysterectomy.
- Adenomyosis: If symptoms get worse, the doctor may suggest a hysterectomy to permanently fix severe menstrual problems and make life better.
- Coagulopathies: Excessive bleeding can be controlled with either antifibrinolytics or hormonal treatments.
- Endocrine Disorders: Stabilised with specific drugs to bring hormones back into balance and make cycles more regular.
3. Dysmenorrhea(Painful Periods)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to ease menstrual pain by lowering inflammation and relaxing the muscles in the uterus.
- Hormonal birth control can help with heavy bleeding, painful periods, and controlling periods.
- In certain cases, that are severe and don’t respond, surgical options like endometrial ablation or hysterectomy are preferred.
- In cases that are hard to handle or don’t respond, surgical options like endometrial ablation or hysterectomy may be considered.
- Daily remedies: Cramps may get better with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and taking vitamins.
4. Premenstrual Syndrome(PMS & PMDD)
- Exercise, stress management, and vitamin supplements to help keep hormones in balance and menstrual health are all first-line treatments.
- For individuals struggling with severe PMS or PMDD, doctors may prescribe SSRIs (antidepressants). This helps them manage the emotional distress, mood changes, and irritability related to these menstrual conditions.
5. Surgical options for severe cases
If medications don’t help enough, doctors may suggest surgery as the next step to effectively treat severe menstrual disorders.
a. Dilation and Curettage (D&C): To stop excessive bleeding or determine the presence of polyps or cancer, irregular tissue is removed from the uterus.
b. Hysteroscopy: In this fibroids, polyps, or scar tissues are removed from the uterus to bring back normal menstrual flow and make it easier to get pregnant.
c. Endometrial Ablation: Removes or damages the womb’s inner layer to curb or manage excessive menstrual flow.
d. Hysterectomy: complete removal of the womb, but it is done only when there is no option left in severe cases.
Natural Treatment For Menstrual Disorders
There are some natural remedies also that can help you with your menstrual disorders and ease your pain. A lot of women are opting for natural and Ayurvedic treatment for their period problems. Some are:
Ayurvedic Treatment: Ayurveda often uses herbs like Ashoka, Shatavari, and Turmeric to naturally balance hormones, regulate menstrual cycles, and lower inflammation.
Herbal Remedies: Natural herbal supplements and remedies may help with heavy flow, period pain, and hormone balance, which can make your menstrual health better.
Acupuncture: Provides relief from period cramps, regulates menstrual cycles, balances hormones, and reduces stress linked to menstrual issues.
Healthy Eating: Eating foods high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help you feel less tired and keep your hormones working properly.
Frequently Asked Questions On Menstrual Disorders?
1. What can cause a delay in menstruation?
There are many reasons that can delay menstruation, including stress, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, thyroid disorders, excessive exercise, rapid weight changes, or pregnancy, all of which can affect your period cycle and cause delays.
2. How do I know if my cycle is normal?
A normal menstrual cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days, with an average of 28 days. Most of the time, menstrual periods last between 5 – 7 days. Changes in the normal menstrual cycle may be a sign of something wrong. A change in the cycle could mean having a period more or less often, not having a period at all, bleeding more or less than usual, or spotting between periods.
3. Can irregular periods affect overall health?
If left untreated, irregular periods can be a sign of conditions like PCOS, thyroid problems, or anaemia, and they can also raise the risk of infertility, osteoporosis, or heart problems.
4. Can using birth control improve menstrual health?
Yes, birth control can make your periods much healthier. It helps control symptoms of hormonal conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, as well as regulate irregular cycles, lessen heavy or long-lasting bleeding, and ease painful cramps. Some types, like hormonal IUDs or combined oral contraceptives, can also lower the risk of anaemia from heavy periods and help with PMS or PMDD symptoms.
5. What are the main symptoms of a menstrual disorder?
- Irregular periods
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Missed periods
- Painful cramps
- Spotting between periods
- Prolonged bleeding
- PMS symptoms (mood swings, fatigue, bloating)
