Menstrual disorders are physical, emotional, dietary or hormonal factors that interferes with the normal flow of menstrual period. There are different kinds of menstrual disorders and each one of them is managed differently, depending on the underlying cause.

 

Menstrual disorders include; 

• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Absense of menstruation (amenorrhea)
• Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
• Excessive bleeding
• Irregular bleeding
• Bleeding between the cycles 

Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual Syndrome is characterized by a combinations of signs and symptoms that occurs at least 5 days before the start of menstrual flow and end within 4 days of menstrual onset. It is not clearly known what causes the syndrome but it is believed to be as a result of hormones changes, especially serotonin.

 

Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms usually varies from one woman to another and they may include;

Medical Treatment

There is no cure for PMS and the disorder is managed by treating the underlying cause or the symptoms.  Other management include; nutritional changes, exercises, social support and stress reduction techniques.

 

Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is a painful menstrual flow in the absence of any pelvic disease, characterized by a crampy abdominal pain that begins before or during the menstrual flow and last for 2 - 3 days. Dysmenorrhea is believed to occur as a result of excessive production of prostaglandins that causes uterine vasospasms and painful contractions. Other factors such as anxiety, stress can also lead to dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea usually decreases with age and it eventually resolve itself once a woman has given birth.

 

Dysmenorrhea Management

The management of dysmenorrhea involves use of medications to decrease the abdominal discomfort. Such as Asprin, Ibuprofen and Mefenamic acid.  Treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea (due to other medical conditions) is usually managed by treating the underlying cause.

 

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the absence or cessation of menstrual flow. There are two classifications of amenorrhea; Primary and Secondary amenorrhea.  Primary amenorrhea is considered when a woman who is 16 years and above with evidenced signs of sexual maturity has not yet begun to menstruate or a woman who is 14 years and above, with no evidence of sexual maturity, has not yet menstruated.

 

Secondary amenorrhea is considered when a woman who had previously menstruated ceases to menstruate for a three cycles or 6 months.

 

Treatment of Amenorrhea

Most of the primary amenorrhea is due to variations in genes, environmental and psychological factors and usually resolve after sometimes.  However, physical and laboratories tests are usually performed to rule out any other underlying cause and to treat any problem, if diagnosed.

 

Treatment of secondary amenorrhea involves proper evaluation of the underlying cause, supportive therapy, exercises, diet changes, use of hormone replacement therapy and other medication to correct various conditions. Such as thyroid dsfunctions.

 

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding is any painless, irregular bleeding that originates from the endometrium. Though uterine bleeding may occurs in adolescent and in pre-menopause women due to lack of an ovulation. However, any vaginal bleeding must be thoroughly evaluated since it can be a signal of other serious medical health conditions.

 

There following are the three common types of uterine bleeding; Menorrhagia, Metrorrhagia and Postmenopausal Bleeding.

 

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is an excessive bleeding during the time of regular menstrual flow or a menstrual flow that last longer than expected.  In adolescent, menorrhagia is usually associated with disorders of the endocrine while in older adults, tumors, inflammatory diseases, hormonal imbalances and stress are usually the main causes.  

 

Metrorrhagia

Metrorrhagia is the bleeding of vagina in between the regular menstrual flow. The most common cause of metrorrhagia are; oral contraceptives, woman under hormone replacement therapies, non cancerous tumors of the uterus, cancerous tumors and other medical problems.

 

Postmenopausal Bleeding

Postmenopausal Bleeding occurs when a woman who previously reached the age of menopause, suddenly start bleeding one year after the cessation of menstrual cycle.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in woman. It is a malignant tumor that originates from a breast cell and gradually spread to adjacent lymph nodes.  Some cancer originates from the duct, others originates from lobes while other may originate from other tissue and spread to the breast.

• Hereditary
• Radiation Exposure
• Bening or non-cancerous breast diseases
• Alcohol and smoking
• Late menopause and early menses - more exposure to estrogen
• Late child delivery - first child after the age of 35 years
• Hormonal therapy that require the use of estrogen