What are abnormal periods?
We get it. No two menstrual periods are the same.
Some women have cycles that begin and end around the same time every month with minor inconvenience, while other women have cycles that fluctuate greatly.
However, extremely painful periods, very light or very heavy periods are not normal. If your period leaves you unable to live your daily life, affects your fertility or is basically neverending, you may have a menstrual disorder.
If any of this sounds familiar, contact us and speak to a Kaldas Center nurse.
What are menstrual disorders?
Although it is perfectly normal for women to have different experiences, there are some signs and symptoms that could be an indication of an abnormal period or menstrual disorder. To begin, find out what you should know about your period.
Menstrual disorders are when a woman’s period cycles irregularly, causing symptoms such as:
- Extremely painful periods (Dysmenorrhea)
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Very heavy periods (Menorrhagia)
- Light or infrequent menstruation (Oligomenorrhea)
- No bleeding at all during periods (Amenorrhea)
- Missed periods
- Irregular periods
Monitoring your cycle is a great way to better understand your reproductive health and can also be a valuable tool when trying to get pregnant. Tracking your period is a completely natural way to monitor your body’s ovulation and fertility windows so you know when the best times are to try for a baby. To learn more about tracking methods, check out our blog post!
Read on to find out more about what type of symptoms one may have with a menstrual disorder.
Causes of Abnormal Periods
There are a number of issues that could be causing your menstrual disorder, including:
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Ovulation issues
- Hormone imbalances
- Genetic factors
- Clotting disorders
- Pelvic diseases
- Bleeding disorders
- Medications and contraceptives
- Extreme weight loss
- Eating disorders
- Stress
- Thyroid problems
Menstrual Disorders Treatment
Don’t let your period control your life. There are options for addressing extremely painful periods and irregular bleeding.
Options for treatment may vary from hormonal therapy to non-invasive surgery. Types of hormone therapy may include oral medications, like a birth control pill, or an intrauterine device. Non-invasive surgery may include an in-office hysteroscopic ablation, laparoscopic excision of endometriosis, or a hysterectomy.
