During their periods, most women experience excruciating cramps, bloating, mood fluctuations, and irritability. Every month, the endometrium, the medical term for the uterus’ lining, sheds, causing what is known as menstruation. The female chemicals progesterone and oestrogen, which are released by the ovaries, thicken the uterine lining, which then waits for a fertilised egg to attach. If there isn’t an egg, the lining rips, and leaks, which triggers menstruation. You should experience a straightforward, typical menstrual cycle if everything is in order. However, menstrual problems can occur in certain women. 

Symptoms Of Menstrual Disorder

Menstruation disorders are issues related to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Typical signs include:

• Painful period cramps
• Excessively abnormal haemorrhage,
• Intolerance or significant mood fluctuations
• Emotional anxiety

Prevalent Menstrual Problems

Dysmenorrhea

During menstruation, unpleasant menstrual cramps are a defining feature of dysmenorrhea. They are separated into primary and secondary groups. Primary dysmenorrhea is characterised by cramping pain brought on by a chemical imbalance in the uterine lining. Contrarily, secondary dysmenorrhea refers to painful periods brought on by a medical illness like endometriosis.

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea, also referred to as missed period, is the lack of menstrual cycles. Amenorrhea is of two types: primary and secondary. 

Secondary amenorrhea is when a normal menstrual cycle begins to become irregular or missing, whereas primary amenorrhea is when a person does not get their period at puberty.

Hypomenorrhea

“The term “hypomenorrhea” describes a very light period. It is linked to unusually little bleeding. Typically, a period lasts less than two days or produces less than 80 millilitres of blood loss”, says Dr Swetha. 

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is characterised by extremely severe and ongoing bleeding. There are several variations of this illness, with polymenorrhea—very frequent bleeding—being the most prevalent.

Factors that cause Irregular Periods

In the first two years following the first period, irregular cycles are rather prevalent. Puberty-related hormonal changes are what is responsible for this. 

The doctor warns that young girls’ everyday activities and social lives may be affected if it persists and causes them great distress. There can be a lot of factors that might cause irregular periods:

Imbalances In Hormones

The hormonal interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovaries control the menstrual cycle. Menstrual periods may become irregular if there is any change in the hormones’ delicate balance. Hormone profile analysis makes it simple to identify conditions including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid abnormalities, and adrenal gland diseases, which are prevalent causes.

Due To Stress

 Changes in eating and sleeping patterns brought on by stress might affect the hypothalamus and pituitary’s ability to release regulating hormones.

Also read: How Does Diet Affect Menstrual Health? Doctor Answers

Lifestyle Aspects

The delicate hormonal balance in the body can be upset by excessive activity, weight gain, or reduction with a significant change in body fat percentage, or both. Similar to how using drugs, smoking, and drinking alcohol can alter the menstrual cycle and lead to irregular periods.

Underlying Health Issues

Heavy and irregular bleeding can be a symptom of conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Additionally, several drugs, including those for the treatment of epilepsy and depression, might disrupt menstruation.

All women are susceptible to menstruation problems. The trick is to use caution. One must be able to recognise the condition’s symptoms and indicators and take the appropriate action to manage them. Keep in mind that any alterations to the body should be attended to right away. Visit a healthcare professional to get the answers you need and the required care to prevent consequences.