Periods. A natural part of life for most women. The monthly visitor we love to hate. However, for many, periods are not always predictable, pain-free, or straightforward. Several menstrual disorders can affect the regularity, intensity, and duration of periods, often leading to discomfort, pain, or emotional distress. These conditions can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, lifestyle influences, and underlying medical issues.

Here are some of the common ones…

1. Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea: painful menstrual cramps that typically occur just before or during menstruation. These cramps can range from mild to severe and may last for a few hours or up to two days.

• Primary dysmenorrhea (the most common type) is caused by high levels of prostaglandins, chemicals in the body that cause the uterine muscles to contract.
• Secondary dysmenorrhea is often caused by underlying conditions, such as fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

The symptoms of this abnormality, can range from;

• Sharp or cramp-like pain in the lower abdomen
• Pain that radiates to the lower back or thighs
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headaches

2. Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia refers to abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, often lasting more than 7 days. Women with menorrhagia may need to change their tampon or pad frequently and may experience symptoms like fatigue due to blood loss. There can be several causes such as hormonal imbalance, uterine fibroids, polyps, thickening of the uterine lining and other medical conditions.

The symptoms of this disorder can range from;

• Excessive menstrual flow (soaking through one or more pads/tampons every hour)
• Blood clots during menstruation
• Fatigue, weakness, or anemia due to blood loss

3. Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation for an extended period. There are two types of amenorrhea: primary (when a girl hasn’t had her first period by age 16) and secondary (when a woman who has had regular periods stops menstruating for three months or more). The cause could be a number of things from something as natural and simple as pregnancy, to early menopause and several things in between. You’ll know you are treading in the area of amenorrhea if you have missed consecutive periods for more than 3 months. Weight changes, excessive hair growth and excessive acne can also be signs of this disorder.

4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women, affecting around 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It occurs when the ovaries produce an excessive amount of androgens (male hormones), which can interfere with the normal development and release of eggs. The cause of this is not entirely understood but researchers believe there are components of genetics, environmental factors, and insulin resistance. Some of the symptoms of PCOS are irregular periods or absent periods, excessive hair growth on the face, chest or back, along with acne and oily skin.

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, typically in the pelvic area. This abnormal tissue can cause pain and inflammation, particularly during menstruation. Again, the cause is not clear. The symptoms include, severe menstrual cramps, pain during sex, chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

6. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS refers to a range of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the two weeks leading up to menstruation. While most women experience some form of PMS, for some, the symptoms can be severe and disruptive to daily life. Hormonal changes and imbalances in serotonin contribute to this syndrome. Most of us are familiar with PMS to one degree or another, such as mood swings, irritability, depression, fatigue, headaches, bloating, and changes in sleep patterns.

Menstrual disorders can significantly affect your quality of life, but many of these conditions are manageable with the right treatment. Whether you’re dealing with painful cramps, heavy bleeding, irregular cycles, or other symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.