Menstrual Dysfunction (Irregular Periods)

Menstrual Dysfunction (Irregular Periods) - Overview

Menstrual periods typically last between 4 and 7 days. Usually, women's periods occur every 28 days - normal cycles can come between 21 and 35 days.

Symptoms:

Periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart
Menstrual flow is heavier or lighter than usual
Periods that last longer than 7 days
Pain, cramping, nausea or vomiting during periods
Bleeding or spotting that happens between periods, after menopause or following sex
Missing 3 or more periods in a row

Menstrual Dyfunction examples:

Amenorrhea - when a women's periods have stopped completely. Going over 90 days without a period is considered abnormal unless you are pregnant, menopausal or breast feeding.
Oligomenorrhea - infrequent periods.
Dismenorrhea - painful periods and severe menstrual cramps. Some discomfort during periods is normal.
Abnormal uterine bleeding may apply to a variety of menstrual irregularities, including: a heavier menstrual flow; a period that lasts longer than seven days; or bleeding or spotting between periods, after sex, or after menopause.

Find out more about Menstrual Dysfunction:

Causes Diagnosis Treatments Prevention Menstrual Dysfunction Specialists

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What causes Menstrual Dysfunction?

There are many potential causes of menstrual dysfunction ranging from minor factors such as stress to more serious underlying medical conditions:

Stress and Lifestyle Factors - significant weight loss or gain, dieting, exercise, travel, illness or other disruptions to your daily routine can impact your menstrual cycle.
Birth Control Pills - most birth control pills include hormones which control periods (estrogen and progestin). These can disrupt your periods after you decide to finish taking birth control.
Uterine Polyps or Fibroids - these growths (polyps) or tumours (fibroids) are usually benign but can vary massively in size, potentially causing discomfort, pain, or excessive bleeding and pain during periods.
Endometriosis - Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial tissue starts to grow outside the uterus and can cause heavy bleeding, cramps or pain before or during periods, and pain during sexual intercourse.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - a bacterial infection that affects the female reproductive system. Symptoms include heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odour, irregular periods, pain in the pelvic and lower abdominal areas, fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - this makes the ovaries produce large amounts of male sex hormones (androgens) which can prevent eggs from maturing. Women with PCOS may have irregular periods or stop menstruating completely.
Premature ovarian insufficiency - this occurs in women under 40 whose ovaries don't function properly. Similarly to menopause, the menstrual cycle stops. This can occur in patients being treated for cancer with radiation or chemotherapy, or if you have a family history of this condition.
Uterine or cervical cancer
Medications, such as steroids or anticoagulants (blood thinners)
Bleeding disorders, thyroid issues, or pituitary disorders that affect hormonal balance.
Complications from pregnancy including miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilised egg is implanted outside of the uterus, e.g. in the fallopian tube).

Diagnosis for abnormal menstruation:

You should keep an accurate record of your period if any aspect of your menstrual cycle changes: this should include when your period begins and ends, the amount of flow and whether you pass any large blood clots. Also keep track of any other symptoms mentioned above.

Your specialist will also ask you about your medical history and your menstrual cycle. They will also perform a physical examination, including a pelvic exam and sometimes you may need a Pap test. Other tests may be required including:

Blood tests - these can rule out other medical conditions such as anemia
Vaginal cultures - to test for infections
Pelvic Ultrasound - to check for polyps, fibroids or an ovarian cyst
Endometrial biopsy - a sample taken from the lining of the uterus to diagnose endometriosis, cancerous cells, or hormonal imbalance. Endometriosis can also be diagnosed with a laparoscope, where a thin, telescopic camera is inserted through a small cut in the abdomen.

How can Menstrual Dysfunction be treated?

Treatments for Menstrual Dysfunction depend on the underlying cause:

Hormones - oestrogen or progestin may be prescribed to control heavy bleeding
Painkillers - ibuprofen is often recommended for pain relief. Aspirin is not recommended as it may cause heavier bleeding. Warm baths and showers can help to ease cramps.
Fibroids - these can be treated with medication such as painkillers or removed surgically
Endometriosis - painkillers are available to ease symptoms, and hormone treatments can help to prevent the overgrowth of uterine tissue and reduce the amount of blood loss during menstruation.

Can Menstrual Dysfunction be Prevented?

Menstrual Dysfunction cannot always be prevented, but these measures can help to reduce the risk of it developing:

Healthy lifestyle - exercise regularly, without placing excessive strain on pelvic region (avoid lifting heavy objects). You should also eat a nutritional diet, and avoid drastic dieting. If you wish to lose weight, we recommend you do this gradually.
Sufficient rest
Try meditation or other relaxation techniques
Use birth control pills or other contraceptive methods as recommended by a specialist
Change your tampons or sanitary pads every four to six hours to prevent infections and avoid sepsis
See a doctor regularly for check ups and advice

Menstrual Dysfunction - Specialists

Mr Yousri Affifi

Consultant Gynaecologist

Mr Y. Afifi has over 25 years of experience in specialised laparoscopic and reproductive surgeries.

He is the director of the Birmingham Endometriosis Centre and lead consultant of the reproductive surgery unit in Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

Mrs Ruchira Singh

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Ruchira is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with her NHS practice based at Birmingham Women's Hospital in Edgbaston. She is the Clinical Director of Gynaecology at her NHS Trust.

Ruchira is a reviewer for European Journal of Obstetrics and gynaecology. She is also a Senior clinical examiner and Honorary lecturer for University of Birmingham.

Dr Mamta Pathak

Consultant Gynaecologist

Dr Mamta specialises in office Gynaecology consultations and procedures, having helped to establish and develop the office Gynaecology department in the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals.

Office Gynaecological procedures have made a significant clinical impact by removing the need for general anaesthesia, thereby allowing for a quick recovery following treatment.

Dr Pallavi Latthe

Consultant Gynaecologist and subspecialist Urogynaecologist

Dr Pallavi is an accredited subspecialist in urogynaecology and a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Birmingham Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.

She is the clinical lead for Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology in the Trust.

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