Menstrual disorders, menstrual irregularities, or menstrual cramps are symptomatic disruptions of a woman’s healthy cycle.
What are cycle disorders?
Deviations from a woman’s normal menstrual cycle are called cycle disorders. In this case, either the interval between menstruation or the strength of bleeding are changed. First of all, it should be clarified what actually cycle disorders or menstrual cramps are. Deviations from the normal menstrual cycle of a woman are called cycle disorders. Either the interval between menstruation or the strength of the bleeding is changed. Other deviations can be the absence of menstruation, called amenorrhea, or intermenstrual bleeding, i.e. bleeding that occurs in addition to menstruation. Of course, it can also be bleeding due to illnesses, such as cervical cancer. Often the intensity and frequency (interval) of menstruation varies. These disorders and variations can also include the absence of menstruation without pregnancy. The causes are mostly hormonal or organic and should be examined by a specialist.
Causes
There are many causes for cycle disorders and menstrual cramps. For menstrual cycles, the standard value of 28 days is found in many medical works. It is taken from the first day of onset of bleeding to the first few days until the next bleeding starts. However, the cycle is constant only in about ten percent of all sexually mature women. A cycle lasting between 21 and 35 days is also considered normal. The norm for the duration of a normal menstruation is often four to five days and a blood loss of about 30 milliliters. The second day of menstruation is usually the bleeding maximum. Anything that deviates from these values are cycle disorders. One of them is oligomenorrhea. This is when the interval between cycles is more than 35 days. The bleeding is then usually weak and short. The reason for these disorders is usually stress and excessive strain. Ovulation is then delayed or does not occur at all, causing the hormonal cycle to change. Rarely, cysts are responsible for the long cycle. Another condition could be polymenorrhea. This is when the cycle is less than 21 days long. Causes can be on the one hand very early ovulation or lack of ovulation. Other main cause can be a shortened corpus luteum phase, which means that the egg does not have enough time to implant. Other cycle disorders refer to abnormal bleeding intensity and prolonged bleeding duration.
Diseases with this symptom
- Menopause
- Ovarian cyst
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian inflammation
- PCO syndrome
- Menorrhagia
Complications
Since cycle disorders can have a variety of causes, it is important to have them examined in the gynecological consultation. This is because the further course of treatment depends on the cause of the particular cycle disorder. Usually, especially in young years, these are only due to psychological stress or hormonal fluctuations. These can occur, for example, in connection with birth control pills or pregnancy and remain without complications. If the patient’s triggering stress factors can be eliminated, the periods also settle down again. However, if another cause for the cycle disturbances becomes apparent, the course can have serious consequences. In patients of childbearing age, the disturbed period can indicate endometriosis, among other things, which makes it difficult to conceive a child. Bleeding during menopause, on the other hand, may indicate cervical cancer. In any case, women should keep a close eye on their menstrual cycle, because only by examining irregular or extreme bleeding at an early stage can the doctor prevent serious consequences. From a doctor’s point of view, a change in menstruation is any menstruation that does not last between three to four days and during which affected women lose an amount of blood other than 40 to 80 milliliters.
When should you go to the doctor?
Menstrual irregularities should be monitored in any case.First of all, those affected can check whether the fluctuation in menstruation is caused by excessive stress, an unhealthy diet, lack of sleep or the use of medication. If this is the case, an attempt can first be made to eliminate or reduce these factors. An imbalance in hormone balance is also often responsible for an irregular cycle. This in turn can be caused by a possible thyroid dysfunction. Since an impairment of this important organ also affects the rest of the organ system, it is advisable to consult the family doctor. He or she can quickly make a diagnosis with the help of a blood test and a sonography of the thyroid gland. In the case of an existing disease, further treatment can be carried out by a gland specialist – the endocrinologist. Hypothyroidism is also one of the most common causes of infertility. Should this exist, couples can also consult a gynecologist and address their suspicions. Likewise, consultation with a gynecologist is recommended as soon as severe pain and heavy bleeding occur in addition to the temporal fluctuations of menstruation. There is a risk of anemia and circulatory collapse in the event of persistent, increased blood loss. Furthermore, cysts or fibroids can cause a cycle disorder. In this case, there is a risk of developing cancer if no examination and treatment is carried out. To minimize this risk, a timely visit to the gynecologist is recommended.
Treatment and therapy
In general, all described cycle disorders should be examined by a gynecologist. Treatments are necessary if the cause of the disorders is organic, for example, cysts or inflammation in the uterine area. If organic causes can be ruled out in the case of oligomenorrhea and polymenorrhea, they do not necessarily need to be treated if those affected feel well and their general condition is good. In all disorders, however, treatment is absolutely necessary if the affected women have a desire to have children. Depending on the underlying disease, the doctor will prescribe hormone preparations, for example, or antibiotics against inflammation. Otherwise, relaxation and stress avoidance help in many cases. Affected women can also help themselves in some cases by taking homeopathic or herbal remedies.
Outlook and prognosis
In the case of menstrual disorders, the prognosis depends on several factors. Simple menstrual cramps are usually over after a few days and do not result in complications. In most cases, it is possible to relieve the discomfort with the help of known home remedies and measures without causing further problems. Period pain usually goes away on its own after menstruation subsides and does not require further clarification or treatment. Disease-related cycle disorders can be treated specifically after diagnosis and usually also promise a good prognosis. However, if the symptoms are not treated, serious secondary diseases can develop, which can be accompanied by physical and psychological problems. In general, however, the prospect of a rapid recovery is good. Depending on the cause of the cycle disorders, it can sometimes take some time and several visits to the doctor until a suitable therapy is found. During pregnancy or as an accompanying symptom of a serious illness, menstrual cramps can sometimes persist for several weeks to months or recur repeatedly. As soon as the causative condition has been successfully treated, the symptoms should also decrease. Late effects are not to be expected with menstrual disorders.
Prevention
What can be done to prevent cycle disorders from occurring in the first place? Very important: physical and psychological stress should be avoided. Cycle disorders can also be prevented with a healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise. It is also helpful to keep a cycle calendar in which the start, duration and intensity of menstruation are recorded. If you then find any abnormalities and go to the doctor, he can make a faster and more accurate diagnosis based on the cycle calendar. To stabilize the physical well-being and hormonal cycle, full mud baths are recommended.
What you can do yourself
An irregular cycle can be perceived as a great burden in everyday life.In addition to conventional medical treatment options, there are alternative interventions that can provide relief. In general, the body must be supplied with sufficient nutrients to perform its daily work. In addition to an adequate calorie intake, micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are particularly important. To this end, it is advisable to make the diet as varied as possible, to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and to take in sufficient fluids. Extreme diets and periods of fasting should be avoided if you have cycle problems. Furthermore, it is important to engage in regular physical activity. It can be helpful to keep a cycle calendar in order to uncover the possible cause of cycle problems more quickly. Some sufferers may also find herbal remedies helpful. There are homeopathic active ingredients, such as monk’s pepper, which can regulate cycle fluctuations. Monk’s pepper is available over the counter and is a so-called phytoestrogen. It mimics the action of female sex hormones and can thus correct cycle disorders. Herbal substances that provide rest and balance can also provide relief. These include lemon balm or valerian. To restore hormonal balance, regular full mud baths are a good option.