Women can experience a variety of sensations before, during or after their menses. This is normal. Some girls also go through other changes in the days or weeks before their menstrual periods start. The most common symptoms include backache, pain in the inner thighs, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, breast tenderness, irritability, and other mood changes. Women also experience positive sensations such as relief, release, euphoria, new beginning, invigoration, connection with nature, creative energy, exhilaration, increased sex drive and more intense orgasms.

There is a number of different menstrual disorders, from the short minor menstrual problem to the more prolonged menstruation problems to serious illnesses. This list of menstrual disorders will help you identify different menstrual cycle disorders of varying degrees.

Problems

1. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms related to the menstrual cycle, which may include fatigue, headache, gastrointestinal problems, breast swelling and tenderness, changes in appetite, joint and muscle pain, tension, irritability, mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, depression, memory and concentration trouble. PMS symptoms occur in the week or two weeks before menses (menstruation or monthly bleeding). The symptoms usually go away after menses starts. PMS may interfere with normal activities at home, school, or work. Menopause, when monthly periods stop, brings an end to PMS.

Cause:
Cause of PMS is unknown, it seems to occur because of changing hormone levels. During the second half of the menstrual cycle, the amount of progesterone in the body increases. Then, about 7 days before the period starts and right around when PMS occurs, levels of both progesterone and estrogen drop.

Treatment:

• The moderate doses of magnesium and Vitamin E may provide relief from PMS.
• Prozac, a Fluoxetine is prescribed by doctors as PMS medication to reduce symptoms.
• Though Alprazolam aids in reducing anxiety and depression, it can be addictive.
• Evening primrose oil can provide some benefits to women suffering from PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness.
• Diuretics are used as medication for PMS symptoms of bloating and fluid buildup.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen are prescribed to relieve PMS associated pain.

2. Amenorrhea (absence of periods)

The only symptom of primary amenorrhea is delayed menstruation. In addition to low body weight or excessive exercise, other causes of primary amenorrhea include Turner’s syndrome, a birth defect related to the reproductive system, or ovarian problems.

Cause:

Abnormalities of the female reproductive tract, hormonal problems, or genetic disorders. It is further associated with stress, severe dieting and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, depression, drugs such as tranquillisers and antidepressants, obesity, increased levels of exercise, chronic illness such as kidney failure or colitis, and, of course, with pregnancy.

Treatment:

For primary amenorrhea with no underlying problem, no treatment is necessary, and a wait-and-see approach is often adopted. If women have genetic or hormonal abnormalities, amenorrhea is often treated with oral contraceptives that contain combinations of estrogen and progestin. Side effects include bloating, weight gain and acne, although some birth control pills actually improve acne. Progestins, or synthetic progesterone, are also used alone to “jump start” a woman’s period. They include medroxyprogesterone (Provera, Amen, Depo-Provera), norethindrone acetate (Aygestin, Norlutate), and norgestrel (Ovrel). If the amenorrhia is due to a physical problem, such as a closed vagina, surgery may be required.

With secondary amenorrhia, treatment depends on the cause. Hormonal imbalances are treated with supplemental hormones. Tumors or cysts may require surgery. Obesity may require a diet and exercise regimen, while amenorrhia resulting from too much dieting or exercise necessitates lifestyle changes.

3. Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps)

Cause:

Painful menstrual cramps are the cause of much suffering in women who experience them regularly. Far from being a psychological disorder, dysmenorrhea is a very real medical problem and the pain can be extremely severe. It can be caused by higher levels of prostaglandins – chemicals that regulate the tone of the smooth muscles (the non-voluntary muscles of the body such as the blood vessels and uterus). Excess prostaglandins make the smooth muscles contract.

As the next period approaches, the levels of prostaglandins in a woman’s body increase. The levels are highest when the period begins. This causes painful contractions in the uterus. The uterus contracts so violently that it cuts off blood supply. Pain then follows as the muscle is not getting enough oxygen. Also, some of the excess prostaglandins escape from the uterus into the bloodstream, and can thus affect other smooth muscles. This explains some of the symptoms that often go along with dysmenorrhea – headaches, dizziness, diarrhoea and nausea.

Medication:

For some women, using a heating pad or taking a warm bath helps ease their cramps. Some pain medicines available over the counter, such as ibuprofen (for instance, Advil®, Motrin®, Midol® Cramp), ketoprofen (for instance, Orudis® KT®), or naproxen (for instance, Aleve®), can help with these symptoms. If pain is not relieved by these medicines or the pain interferes with work or school, you should see a doctor. Treatment depends on what is causing the problem and how severe it is.

4. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)

Excessive uterine bleeding during menstruation. The bleeding from the uterus starts on schedule but is heavier than usual and may last longer than usual.

Cause:

There are a number of causes of menorrhagia. Some of these are:

•General diseases: such as blood dyscrasia, severe anaemia, psychological disorders, matrimonial disharmony, and states of emotional trauma.
•Local causes: such as myomata, endometrial polyps, salpingo-oophoritis, retroversion of uterus, first menstrual period after childbirth or abortion (MTP), chocolate cysts in the ovaries, and granulosa cell tumour in the ovaries.
•Endocrinal disorders: such as in the early stages of hyperthyroidism and acromegaly, the late stage of hypothyroidism, and in myxedema over the age of 40.
•Intrauterine contraceptive device : (commonly known as IUD).
•Hormonal imbalances, fibroids, polyps or endometriosis

Treatment:

May include oral contraceptives and other hormonal drugs, the destruction of the endometrium using a variety of methods, or the use of the intra-uterine.

5. Metrorrhagia (irregular bleeding between periods)

Cause :

Metrorrhagia can be caused by a hormonal imbalance. Many causes of metrorrhagia are related to the cervix or uterus, including cancer, inflammation or infections, non-cancerous polyps (growths), scar tissue in the uterus (adhesions), and the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus (endometriosis). Metrorrhagia can also be caused by miscarriage, a pregnancy that is developing in the fallopian tubes (tubal or ectopic pregnancy), the use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control, or chronic medical problems such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and blood-clotting disorders.

Treatment:

The treatment of metrorrhagia depends on the cause of the problem. Treatment may include drugs to replace hormones, antibiotics to cure infections, or other medications commonly used to treat conditions such as chronic medical problems. If the bleeding is caused by an intrauterine device (IUD), the device may need to be removed. Polyps and other types of growths are treated with surgery. Cancer may be treated with a combination of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Women with bleeding caused by miscarriage or tubal pregnancy need immediate medical treatment because both can cause serious complications if not treated.
Let your doctor know if this occurs frequently, or if the bleeding is heavy and accompanied by pain. Once the cause has been diagnosed, be sure to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.

5. Polymenorrhea (periods at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks)

Cause:

• Frequent ovulation caused by hyperactivity of the anterior pituitary gland.
• Constitutional disorders such as malnutrition, and psychological disturbances.
• Pelvic disorders such as chocolate cysts in the ovaries and chronic pelvic inflammation.

Treatment:

Improving general health, correcting anaemia, treating pelvic causes (if any), and combined oestrogen and progesterone therapy from day 5 to day 25 of the menstrual cycle. If medical treatment does not work, dilatation and curettage (D & C) may be suggested.

Finally
Let your doctor know if this occurs frequently, or if the bleeding is heavy and accompanied by pain. Once the cause has been diagnosed, be sure to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.

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