What are menstrual irregularities?

After a teen has been menstruating for a few years, her menstrual cycle typically becomes more regular. For most women, a normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days. However, up to 14% of women have irregular menstrual cycles or excessively heavy menstrual bleeding.

Most abnormal uterine bleeding can be divided into anovulatory and ovulatory patterns.

• Anovulatory : Irregular/infrequent periods with absent, minimal, or excessive bleeding.
• Ovulatory : Periods that occur at regular intervals but are characterized by excessive bleeding or a duration of greater than 7 days.

The most common menstrual irregularities include :

• Anovulatory Bleeding

Ammenorrhea : Absent menstrual periods. When a woman does not get her period by age 16, or when she stops getting her period for at least 3 months and is not pregnant.

Oligomenorrhea : Infrequent menstrual periods. Periods that occur more than 35 days apart.

• Ovulatory Bleeding

Menorrhagia : Heavy menstrual periods. Also called excessive bleeding.

Prolonged menstrual bleeding : Infrequent menstrual periods. Periods that occur more than 35 days apart.

Prolonged menstrual bleeding : Bleeding that exceeds 8 days in duration on a regular basis.

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Additional menstrual irregularities include

• Dysmenorrhea : Painful periods that may include severe menstrual cramps.
• Polymenorrhea : Frequent menstrual periods occurring less than 21 days apart.
• Irregular menstrual periods with a cycle-to-cycle variation of more than 20 days.
• Shortened menstrual bleeding of less than 2 days in duration.
• Intermenstrual bleeding : Episodes of bleeding that occur between periods, also known as spotting.

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Causes for menstrual irregularities

Common causes of anovulatory bleeding (absent, infrequent periods, and irregular periods) include :

• Adolescence
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
• Perimenopause
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Medications, such as contraceptive pills, antipsychotics, Menses Suppressive pills.
• Hyperprolactinemia (an abnormally high concentration in the blood of prolactin, a protein hormone)
• Pregnancy

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Common causes of ovulatory bleeding (heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding) include :

• Structural problems, such as uterine fibroids or polyps
• Bleeding disorders, such as leukemia, platelet disorders, the various factor deficiencies, or von Willebrand disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Advanced liver disease

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Common causes of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) include :

• Heavy menstrual flow
• Smoking
• Depression
• Never having given birth
• Endometriosis
• Chronic uterine infection

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Additional causes of menstrual irregularity include :

Endometriosis, Endocrine gland-related causes, Poorly controlled diabetes, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Cushing’s syndrome, Thyroid dysfunction, Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), Late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Acquired conditions, Stress-related hypothalamic dysfunction, Medications, Exercise-induced amenorrhea, Eating disorders (both anorexia and bulimia), Tumors, Ovarian, Adrenal, Prolactinomas (a noncancerous pituitary tumor that produces prolactin).

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\Advantages of Homoeopathy in menstrual irregularities :

• Homoeopathy provides excellent symptomic relief for menstrual disorders.
• Homeopathic remedies are safe and gentle to use for the body, and also promote overall health and well being.
• Help to support a normal menstrual flow, balanced mood, and reduce fatigue thus increasing and energy levels.
• Supports hormonal balance, female reproductive health and stimulates endocrine glands in such a way that the hormonal imbalance is restored.