Common Menstrual Problems

Periods are the bodys way of telling us that our reproductive system is functioning normally. Regular periods are also an indication of a womans good health. Periods or menses are the monthly outflow of blood and tissue from the uterus (the female reproductive organ). The lining of the uterus thickens over a period of roughly 28 days (in preparation of pregnancy) and when this does not occur, the lining is shed through the cervix and goes out via the vagina. Normally, most women have menstrual blood flows for about 3 to 5 days. Periods start in women at the age of puberty, roughly 11 to 13 years and stop when she reaches menopause (around 50 years).

Most women experience some sort of pain or discomfort during their periods. Some women feel extreme pain and need medication for relief. Others have little or no pain and continue with their normal routine. However, there are some common problems associated with periods that we need to be familiar with. Many go undetected, but certain conditions need immediate medical attention.

The first and most common problem with is Amenorrhea. When amenorrhea occurs, your periods suddenly stop. Reasons could range from serious illness, excessive exercising, eating disorders, stress or breastfeeding. At times, amenorrhea can be caused by hormonal problems such as problems involving the thyroid, adrenal, pituitary or ovary glands, or due to complications in the woman's reproductive system.

The other most common menstrual problem is abnormal bleeding. Symptoms of abnormal bleeding include heavy bleeding, long periods, bleeding between menses, and menses that are too close together. Women approaching menopause and those in their early stages of adolescence are the worst hit by this problem. Hormonal imbalance is said to be the key cause of excessive bleeding as well as irregular menstrual cycles. Some medical experts like to refer to this complication as dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB). Other possible causes of DUB include: polyps and fibroids. There is no specific cure for this problem, and in most cases, the excessive bleeding is treated depending on its cause.

Dysmenorrhea is likely to be experienced in some degree by most women. Dysmenorrhea causes painful monthly periods and menstrual cramps. It affects women of all ages. It has been proven that pain during periods is caused by the Prostaglandin hormone. While there is no specific cure for this condition, as there is no disease associated with this pain, women sometimes resort to mild pain relief medicines to tide over their periods.