Question: What are Menstrual Cycle Disorders?
Answer: Menstrual cycle disorders are conditions that occur when hormonal imbalances, structural conditions, or other abnormal events occur during the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle disorders include:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding -- Abnormal uterine bleeding includes a number of types of bleeding patterns including spotting between periods, excessive bleeding during menstruation, periods that last more than a week, menstrual cycles less than 21 days long or more than 35 days long, and periods that occur too often, as well as the absence of menstruation. The causes of abnormal uterine bleeding include hormonal imbalances, leiomyomas or uterine fibroid tumors, structural abnormalities of the uterus, and other medical conditions which include Von Willebrand's disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP, liver or kidney diseases, Leukemia, and certain medications.
- Amenorrhea -- Although technically classified as abnormal uterine bleeding, amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation.
- PMS and PMDD -- Premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder is diagnosed when certain physical and / or behavioral symptoms occur during the week or so before menstruation occurs.
- Menstrual cramps –- Treatments for menstrual cramps include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Applying heat to the pelvic area also often helps relieve painful menstrual cramps.
Source:
Menstrual Disorders; Healthy Women.org, NWHRC; accessed 09/15/07.
