Regular periods are the sign that shows your body 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 periods can make it harder to get pregnant. The commonly seen problems are:
Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea):
The pain that comes with your menstrual period is called dysmenorrhea. It’s a common problem that women have with their periods. Some women may get a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, tugging in the pelvic area, and severe cramps different from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) pain.
Dysmenorrhea is of two types:
Primary dysmenorrhea: The pain is caused by contractions of the uterus (womb). The uterus contracts during your period to help the uterine lining leave the body. For most women, primary dysmenorrhea gets less painful as they get older. But some women get severe menstrual pain.
Secondary dysmenorrhea: This type of dysmenorrhea is caused due to other health reasons. Problems that cause Secondary menorrhea are Endometriosis, Uterine fibroid, or Ovarian cysts.
Irregular Periods:
Your periods are considered irregular if your menstrual cycle is shorter or longer than average. This means that the time from the first day of your last period up to the start of your next period is less than 24 days or more than 38 days.
Causes of irregular periods include:
1) Eating Disorders
2) Thyroid Problems: Hyperthyroidism tends to make more thyroid hormone than your body needs which causes fewer and lighter menstrual periods than normal.
3) High amounts of prolactin in the blood: Prolactin is the hormone that causes breasts to grow during puberty and makes breast milk after childbirth.
4) Certain medicines like those for anxiety or epilepsy
5) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
6) Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
7) Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): PID, is an infection of the reproductive organs which is transmitted sexually.
8) Diabetes
9) Obesity
10) Stress
Heavy Bleeding:
If you have heavy bleeding, your periods may be so painful and heavy that you find it hard to do normal activities such as going to work or school. Heavy bleeding can be caused due to problems with ovulation, problems with the uterine lining, Hormonal Changes, Uterine Fibroids, Uterine Polyps, Endometriosis, Ovarian cysts, Pregnancy problems, Uterine Ovarian.
Missing Periods ( Amenorrhea):
The absence of menstrual periods before menopause is called amenorrhea. You may have amenorrhea if you:
-> Haven’t had a period for three months in a row
-> Haven’t had your first period by age 15
Common causes of amenorrhea are Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Eating disorders, quick gain or loss
of weight, hormonal imbalances, and other serious health issues that include birth defects & tumors in
brain, etc.
Menstrual migraine:
About four in 10 women will get a migraine (a painful, severe headache) in
their lifetime. Many factors can trigger migraine such as stress, anxiety, and bright or flashing
lights. Hormones that control the menstrual cycle can also affect headache-related chemicals in
the brain.
Consult Doctor for more: Dr.Safeena Anas, Best Gynecologist in Dubai
