I think I probably learned it in junior high school. menstruation Monthly endometrial shedding. Although it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, periods are your body's way of letting you know that your reproductive system is functioning properly.
Just as every woman is unique, so too is every woman's period. Some periods are short and some are long. Some are heavy, some are light.
After experiencing several years' worth of monthly bleeding, most women begin to get a feel for the frequency, duration, and amount of their periods. When something unusual happens — for example, spotting If you're between periods, or have a really heavy flow, it's natural to wonder what's going on.
not much. A woman's average menstrual cycle is her 28 days, and the average period lasts her 3 to 5 days, but menstrual cycles can vary greatly from woman to woman.
„For some women, 3 days is normal, and for others, 7 days is normal,“ says AAGL (formerly known as the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) says Director Franklin Loffer, MD. Similarly, normal menstrual flow may be greater in some women than in others.
than that worry You should consider whether there are any changes in the length or frequency of your periods.
„Women should really keep track of their menstrual cycles,“ says Frances Ginsburg, MD, clinical assistant professor and director of reproductive endocrinology at Stanford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. „It provides numerical clues.“ Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Columbia University School of Physicians and Surgeons.
Here we discuss common menstrual cycle changes and what they mean.
The big question if you don't get your period is, „How old are you?“
The causes of no menstrual periods (called amenorrhea) vary depending on age. „Stopping your period at 25 is a very different issue than stopping your period at 50,“ Loffer says.
For sexually active women in their 20s or 30s, pregnancy is always a possibility. „Even if women think they're protected, that's not an absolute guarantee,“ Loffer says.
On the other hand, women in their 40s and 50s perimenopause –perimenopausal period. As ovarian function slows down, estrogen Once produced, periods become less frequent.During your menstrual period, your periods may become shorter or lighter. perimenopause. Menopause occurs when menstruation stops for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause is 51 years.
Another possible cause of late periods is excessive exercise. Between 5% and 25% of female athletes miss their periods because they train too much.called exercise– Induced amenorrhea, this phenomenon is especially common among ballet dancers and runners. Intense exercise affects the production and regulation of reproductive hormones involved in the menstrual cycle.
For similar reasons, some women: eating disorder Menstruation may also stop due to conditions such as anorexia nervosa. Significantly restricting your calorie intake suppresses the release of hormones your body needs. ovulation.
Other possible causes of late periods include:
- thyroid or pituitary disease
- Hypothalamic disorders (brain areas that help regulate reproductive hormones)
- breastfeeding
- obesity
- Oral contraceptives (but oral contraceptives It usually doesn't stop your period completely, it just makes it lighter)
- stress
- Polycystic ovary syndrome and other hormonal imbalances
- Ovarian failure (loss of normal ovarian function before age 40)
- Diseases of the uterus (uterus)
Most women only excrete a few tablespoons. blood monthly.person who has heavy menstrual period (excessive menstruation) You can lose more than 5 tablespoons of blood each month.
Excessive bleeding causes iron loss.your body needs iron to produce hemoglobina molecule that helps your redness blood cell Transports oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency causes a decrease in the number of red blood cells, anemia.signs of anemia Shortness of breath, unusually pale complexion skinand Malaise.
If you have persistent heavy bleeding, ask your doctor for a blood count to make sure you don't have an iron deficiency, Ginsburg advises. In that case, you may need to take supplements.
A variety of conditions can cause increased menstrual flow, including:
The number of tampons and pads you use can tell you how heavy your periods are. If one or more sanitary napkins or tampons become soaked every hour for several hours in a row, this is a sign of unusually heavy bleeding.
Oral intake Contraceptive Helps regulate menstrual cycles and reduce bleeding. If you use an IUD, contraceptionyour doctor may choose to insert a specific type of hormone-releasing IUD called an IUD. Milena Helps reduce bleeding. Another option is a drug called Listeda, a pill that helps blood clot and stop bleeding.
If bleeding continues, your gynecologist may recommend the following treatments: ultrasound or other tests to determine the cause of the problem.
This is an issue of our time that should not be ignored. „If you experience bleeding between periods, you should get it checked out,“ says Dr. Loffer.
Causes range from benign, such as an inflamed sore in the vaginal area or forgetting to take a birth control pill, to serious, such as an ectopic pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy. cancer. Please see a doctor.
Periods are generally not the most pleasant time of the month. Most women have convulsions When the uterus contracts to shed the lining. Discomfort is usually mild and subsides within 1 to 2 days.
However, for some women, the pain is so intense that they cannot get out of bed.
Symptoms associated with menstrual pain are called dysmenorrhea. It may also be accompanied by other symptoms. diarrhea, nausea, vomitingheadache, or lower back discomfort.
Pain can be caused by your period itself, but it can also be caused by diseases such as endometriosis or endometriosis. fibroids. To find the cause of the problem, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam and pap testother diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and laparoscopy are also possible.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is effective because it not only reduces pain but also prevents the body from producing prostaglandins (chemicals that stimulate uterine contractions during menstruation). Your doctor may recommend taking a pill or getting an IUD to reduce period pain.uterine fibroids and endometriosis It may also be treated with surgery.
You should talk to your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms related to your period, especially if they make you feel uncomfortable or prevent you from doing normal activities. „If a woman feels her lifestyle is being interfered with, she needs to address it,“ Lofer says.
Be sure to contact your doctor if:
- My menstrual cycle used to be regular, but it has become irregular.
- Menstruation comes more often than every 21 days or less than every 35 days in some cycles.
- Bleeding continues for more than 7 days.
- I stopped bleeding for 12 months straight (menopause), but now I'm bleeding again.
- You will be soaking one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row.
- Bleeding occurs between periods.
- My menstrual pain is very painful.