Menstrual health diseases -
For example, many women with heavy menstrual bleeding don't ovulate regularly. Ovulation, when one of the ovaries releases an egg, occurs around day 14 in a normal menstrual cycle. Changes in hormone levels help trigger ovulation.
Amenorrhea You may also have experienced the opposite problem of heavy menstrual bleeding—no menstrual periods at all. This condition, called amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, is normal before puberty, after menopause and during pregnancy.
If you don't have a monthly period and don't fit into one of these categories, then you need to discuss your condition with your health care professional. Additionally, problems affecting the pituitary gland such as elevated levels of the hormone prolactin or thyroid including hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may cause secondary amenorrhea.
This condition can also occur if you've had an ovarian cyst or had your ovaries surgically removed. Severe menstrual cramps dysmenorrhea Most women have experienced menstrual cramps before or during their period at some point in their lives.
For some, it's part of the regular monthly routine. But if your cramps are especially painful and persistent, this is called dysmenorrhea, and you should consult your health care professional.
Pain from menstrual cramps is caused by uterine contractions, triggered by prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that are produced by the uterine lining cells and circulate in your bloodstream.
If you have severe menstrual pain, you might also find you have some diarrhea or an occasional feeling of faintness where you suddenly become pale and sweaty.
That's because prostaglandins speed up contractions in your intestines, resulting in diarrhea, and lower your blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, leading to lightheadedness. Premenstrual syndrome PMS PMS is a term commonly used to describe a wide variety of physical and psychological symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle.
About 30 to 40 percent of women experience symptoms severe enough to disrupt their lifestyles. PMS symptoms are more severe and disruptive than the typical mild premenstrual symptoms that as many as 75 percent of all women experience.
There are more than documented symptoms of PMS, the most common of which is depression. Symptoms typically develop about five to seven days before your period and disappear once your period begins or soon after. PMS appears to be caused by rising and falling levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which may influence brain chemicals, including serotonin, a substance that has a strong affect on mood.
It's not clear why some women develop PMS or PMDD and others do not, but researchers suspect that some women are more sensitive than others to changes in hormone levels. Symptoms of PMS may increase in severity following each pregnancy and may worsen with age until they stop at menopause.
If you experience PMS, you may have an increased sensitivity to alcohol at specific times during your cycle. Women with this condition often have a sister or mother who also suffers from PMS, suggesting a genetic component exists for the disorder.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder PMDD Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is far more severe than the typical PMS. Women who experience PMDD about 3 to 8 percent of all women say it significantly interferes with their lives. Experts equate the difference between PMS and PMDD to the difference between a mild tension headache and a migraine.
The most common symptoms of PMDD are heightened irritability, anxiety and mood swings. Women who have a history of major depression, postpartum depression or mood disorders are at higher risk for PMDD than other women.
Although some symptoms of PMDD and major depression overlap, they are different:. To help diagnose menstrual disorders, you should schedule an appointment with your health care professional. To prepare, keep a record of the frequency and duration of your periods.
Also jot down any additional symptoms, such as cramping, and be prepared to discuss health history. Here is how your health care professional will help you specifically diagnose abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, PMS and PMDD:. To diagnose heavy menstrual bleeding—also called menorrhagia—your health care professional will conduct a full medical examination to see if your condition is related to an underlying medical problem.
This could be structural, such as fibroids, or hormonal. The examination involves a series of tests. These may include:.
You can also expect blood tests to check your blood count for anemia and a urine test to see if you're pregnant, as well as other laboratory tests. The more information you can give your health care professional, the better. Take notes on the dates and length of your periods.
You can do this by marking your calendar or appointment book. You might also be asked to keep a daily track record of your temperature to determine when you are ovulating.
Ovulation kits, that use a morning urine sample, are available without a prescription and are easy to use.
During your initial evaluation with your health care professional, you should also discuss the following:. There are no specific diagnostic tests for PMS and PMDD. You'll probably be asked to keep track of your symptoms and write them down. A premenstrual symptom checklist is one of the most common methods currently used to evaluate symptoms.
With this tool, you can track the type and severity of symptoms to help identify a pattern. Treatments for menstrual disorders range from over-the-counter medications to surgery, with a variety of options in between.
Your treatment options will depend on your diagnosis, its severity, which treatment you prefer, your health history and your health care professional's recommendation.
Medication and surgery are used to treat AUB. Typically, less invasive therapies should be considered first. Treatment choices depend on your age, your desire to preserve fertility and the cause of the abnormal bleeding dysfunctional or structural.
Some treatments may reduce your menstrual bleeding to a light to normal flow. Medication therapy is often successful and a good first option. The benefits last only as long as the medication is taken, so if you choose this route, you should know that medical treatment is a long-term commitment.
Low-dose birth control pills, progestins and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs may help control heavy or irregular bleeding caused by hormonal imbalances. If your periods have stopped, oral contraceptives and contraceptive patches are highly effective in restoring regular bleeding, although they will not correct the reason you stopped bleeding.
Both can also help reduce menstrual flow, improve and control menstrual patterns and relieve pelvic pain during menstruation. They are considered for PMS treatment if your symptoms are mostly physical, but may not be effective if your primary symptom is mood changes.
However, a newer brand of oral contraceptive containing a form of progesterone called drospirenone and marketed under the names YAZ, Yasmin, Ocella, Gianvi and Zarah, may reduce some mood-related symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, tearfulness and tension. And Yaz is FDA-approved for the treatment of PMDD.
Natazia, which contains the synthetic estrogen estradiol valerate, is the first birth control pill FDA-approved for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding that is not caused by a condition of the uterus. The combination estrogen-progesterone pill may help women who choose oral contraceptives for contraception and do not have risk factors that may make using hormonal birth control inadvisable.
Birth control pills may not be an appropriate treatment choice if you smoke, have a history of pulmonary embolism blood clots in your lungs or have bothersome side effects from this medication. The risk of these side effects is even higher if you use the birth control patch, because it contains higher levels of estrogen.
Progestins, either oral or injectable, are also used to manage heavy bleeding, particularly that resulting from a lack of ovulation. Although they don't work as well as estrogen, they are effective for long-term management. Side effects include irregular menstrual bleeding, weight gain and, sometimes, mood changes.
The levonorgestrel intrauterine system Mirena is FDA-approved to treat heavy menstrual bleeding in women who use intrauterine contraception as their method of birth control prevention.
The Mirena system may be kept in place for up to five years. Over this time, it slowly releases a low dose of the progestin hormone levonorgestrel into the uterus. Mirena is also referred to as an intrauterine device, or IUD. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs are available over the counter and with a prescription and can help reduce menstrual bleeding and cramping.
These medications include ibuprofen Advil, Motrin and naproxen Aleve. Mefenamic acid Ponstel is a prescription-only NSAID. Common side effects include stomach upset, headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.
Tranexamic acid Lysteda , although new to the United States, has been used successfully to decrease heavy menstrual bleeding in other countries for many years. These tablets are only taken on the days you expect to have heavy bleeding.
Except for hysterectomy, surgical options for heavy bleeding preserve the uterus, destroying just the uterine lining. However, most of these procedures result in the loss of fertility, ending your ability to have children.
There are other important considerations for each of these treatment options. Risks common to all surgical options include infection, hemorrhage and other complications.
If you are experiencing severe menstrual cramps called dysmenorrhea regularly, your health care professional might suggest you try over-the-counter and prescription medications and exercise, among other strategies.
Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories NSAIDs , like ibuprofen and naproxen, can be purchased without a prescription. Treatment works best if started hours before the onset of cramping.
If you wait until you have pain, it doesn't work as well. This will also help reduce heavy bleeding. Oral contraceptive pills are also effective for menstrual cramps. If active pills are taken continuously for 90 to days in a row, periods will only occur three to four times a year.
To help manage PMS symptoms, try exercise and dietary changes suggested here and ask your health care professional for other options. If you suffer from PMDD, however, don't try to treat on your own; make sure you talk to your health care professional.
Exercise is another good way to relieve menstrual cycle symptoms. You will get the greatest benefits from exercise if you do it for at least 30 minutes, five days a week. But even taking a to minute walk three times a week can:. There's evidence that some nutritional supplements such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-6 may help ease symptoms of PMS.
Discuss these and other strategies with your health care professional before taking any dietary supplement. Women who experience chronic ovulation problems—failure to ovulate—can regulate their bleeding by continuing to take oral contraceptives. For other menstrual cycle-related problems, such as cramping or premenstrual syndrome, you can take steps to prevent or minimize your discomfort and pain as described in the Treatment section of this entry.
Additionally, changing your diet, exercising and adopting a regular sleep pattern can all help with PMS and PMDD symptoms. Specifically, try:. For PMDD, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, particularly a type called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , can help prevent disruptive symptoms.
It may not be necessary to take an SSRI every day; taking the medication only during your luteal phase starting 14 days before your next period may be sufficient.
Review the following Questions to Ask about menstrual disorders so you're prepared to discuss this important health issue with your health care professional.
Abnormal uterine bleeding refers to menstrual periods that are abnormally heavy, prolonged or both. The term may also refer to bleeding between periods or absent periods.
This condition, called secondary amenorrhea, can be caused by problems that affect estrogen levels, including stress, weight loss, exercise or illness.
Also you may experience secondary amenorrhea because of problems affecting the pituitary, thyroid or adrenal gland. This condition can also occur if you've had ovarian cysts or have had your ovaries surgically removed.
You should consult with a health care professional to determine what is causing you to skip periods. If you are post-menopausal, any uterine bleeding is considered abnormal and should be evaluated by a health care professional as soon as possible. Generally, both medications and surgery are options.
Treatment choices depend on your age, your desire to preserve fertility and the cause of the bleeding dysfunctional or structural. PMS is not a disease but a collection of symptoms. Still, there are many things you can try to alleviate your pain, discomfort and emotional distress.
They include dietary changes, exercise and medication options. Ask your health care professional for more information. For information and support on coping with Menstrual Disorders, please see the recommended organizations, books and Spanish-language resources listed below.
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Box Research Triangle Park, NC Phone: Email: info ashasexualhealth. org Address: Montgomery Highway Birmingham, AL Phone: Email: asrm asrm. org Address: K Street, NW, 12th Floor Washington, DC Phone: Email: info nfprha.
gov Address: Democracy Blvd. Suite , Portland, OR Email: info period. org Address: West 33rd Street New York, NY Hotline: PLAN Phone: org Address: The Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre Laurel Street, Room - 4th Floor Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 Email: cemcor interchange.
Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book: Making Informed Choices by Susan M. Love and Karen Lindsey. Yale Guide to Women's Reproductive Health: From Menarche to Menopause by Mary Jane Minkin and Carol V.
html Address: Customer Service Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD Email: custserv nlm. Period cramps can be annoying, but if your period pain goes beyond a monthly annoyance and disrupts your life, there may be something else going on.
We won an Anthem Award! Your Health. Your Wellness. Your Care. Real Women, Real Stories. Subscribe Share Your Story Military Women's Health WomenTalk Episodes good sex tech talk. Menstrual Disorders. Is my condition serious enough to be considered AUB?
I used to have regular periods, and they've suddenly disappeared over the past few months. Is this something to be concerned about? Is there a certain age group of women who are more likely to have problems with AUB? Can AUB be a problem for me if I've already gone through menopause? Aside from excessive or lengthy bleeding, what other problems can be described as AUB?
What are my treatment options for AUB? Is PMS premenstrual syndrome a problem I have to learn to live with every month or is there anything I can do to relieve my symptoms?
Lifestyle Tips Organizations and Support. Medically Reviewed. Heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by: hormonal imbalances structural abnormalities in the uterus, such as polyps or fibroids medical conditions Many women with heavy menstrual bleeding can blame their condition on hormones.
Certain medical conditions can cause heavy menstrual bleeding. These include: thyroid problems blood clotting disorders such as Von Willebrand's disease, a mild-to-moderate bleeding disorder idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura ITP , a bleeding disorder characterized by too few platelets in the blood liver or kidney disease leukemia medications, such as anticoagulant drugs such as Plavix clopidogrel or heparin and some synthetic hormones.
Other gynecologic conditions that may be responsible for heavy bleeding include: complications from an IUD fibroids miscarriage ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg begins to grow outside your uterus, typically in your fallopian tubes Other causes of excessive bleeding include: infections precancerous conditions of the uterine lining cells Amenorrhea You may also have experienced the opposite problem of heavy menstrual bleeding—no menstrual periods at all.
There are two kinds of amenorrhea: primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea is diagnosed if you turn 16 and haven't menstruated. It's usually caused by some problem in your endocrine system, which regulates your hormones. Sometimes this results from low body weight associated with eating disorders, excessive exercise or medications.
This medical condition can be caused by a number of other things, such as a problem with your ovaries or an area of your brain called the hypothalamus or genetic abnormalities.
Delayed maturing of your pituitary gland is the most common reason, but you should be checked for any other possible reasons. Secondary amenorrheais diagnosed if you had regular periods, but they suddenly stop for three months or longer.
It can be caused by problems that affect estrogen levels, including stress, weight loss, exercise or illness. Physical symptoms associated with PMS include: bloating swollen, painful breasts fatigue constipation headaches clumsiness Emotional symptoms associated with PMS include: anger anxiety or confusion mood swings and tension crying and depression inability to concentrate PMS appears to be caused by rising and falling levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which may influence brain chemicals, including serotonin, a substance that has a strong affect on mood.
PMS differs from other menstrual cycle symptoms because symptoms: tend to increase in severity as the cycle progresses are relieved when menstrual flow begins or shortly after are present for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles Symptoms of PMS may increase in severity following each pregnancy and may worsen with age until they stop at menopause.
Although some symptoms of PMDD and major depression overlap, they are different: PMDD-related symptoms both emotional and physical are cyclical. When a woman starts her period, the symptoms subside within a few days. Topic Menstrual Disorders This collection features the best content fromAFP, as identified by the AFP editors, on menstrual conditions and related issues, including abnormal uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, endometrial ablation, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, menorrhagia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, premenstrual syndrome, and uterine fibroid tumors.
New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past two years is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.
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Federal government websites often end in. gov or. Healrh site is secure. Hwalth periods are a sign Menstrual health diseases your Menstrual health diseases is working normally. You should have regular periods unless you are pregnant, breastfeeding, postmenopausal, or have a medical condition that causes your periods to stop. Irregular, painful, or heavy periods may be signs of a serious health problem. Irregular periods also can make it harder to get pregnant. Diseasees disorders are problems related Body composition tracking Menstrual health diseases woman's normal menstrual cycle. Menstrual health diseases are bealth of the most healtn reasons women visit Menstruao gynecologist. Menstrual disorders and their symptoms Menstrual health diseases disrupt a woman's hhealth life. They heaoth also affect her ability to become pregnant. If your periods come too frequently fewer than 21 days apartnot often enough more than three months apartor last longer than 10 days, talk with your doctor. Diagnosis starts with a detailed medical history and physical exam, including a pelvic exam and Pap smear. You may be asked to keep a diary of your menstrual cycles, including dates, amount of flow, pain and any other symptoms.
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