Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual Disorders

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Menstrual Disorders

Menstrual Disorders

Most women suffer from menstrual disorders in their life. On average women will have between 11 and 13 periods a year and during this time and many may suffer from bloating, cramps or heavy bleeding. However, menstrual disorders do not have to be endured and there are many things women can do to ease them. Read below to discover more about the different menstrual disorders.

The different types of menstrual disorders

There are different types of menstrual disorders that women suffer from and they range in severity. Almost all women will experience mild menstrual disorders at some point during their life. However, other women may experience extreme menstrual disorders that affect their daily activities. There are two main types:

Menorrhagia (heavy bleeding menstrual disorders)
menstrual painfulMany women bleed heavily during their menstrual cycles. However, heavy bleeding becomes one of the menstrual disorders when it interferes with daily activities.

Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstrual disorders)
Almost all women will report having suffered from a painful period during their life. However, painful periods become one of the menstrual disorders when they become severe and interfere with daily life.

What are the different causes of menstrual disorders?

There are several different menstrual disorders. More often than not women should not be concerned with their menstrual disorders; however a trip to the doctor can often allay any fears. Read below to discover more about the two different causes of menstrual disorders:-

Premenstrual syndrome
The period before the menstrual cycle begins is called premenstrual. During their premenstrual period many women will suffer from headaches, bloating, or cramps among other things.

Premenstrual syndrome describes the side effects of the premenstrual period. Many women suffer from Premenstrual syndrome (also known as PMS); these are some of the PMS side effects:

- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Stomach cramps
- Emotional instability

menstrual counselorPMS is one of the most common menstrual disorders and can usually be easily dealt with. A healthy diet, exercise and over the counter pain medication are usually enough to combat the symptoms of PMS. However, if PMS becomes one of the severe menstrual disorder women should discuss with their medical practitioner different treatment options and explore different natural supplements that are available.

Endometriosis
Women who have endometriosis have cells that are supposed to be in the lining of the womb in other areas of their body. Consequently when their period comes every month the egg cells are not the only unfertilized cells to leave the body. Endometriosis is one of the menstrual disorders with side effects such as:

- Extremely heavy bleeding
- Inflammation of the pelvis
- Pain during and after sex
- And infertility during the most extreme cases.

Endometriosis can be very serious and if women believe this is one of their menstrual disorders they should visit their doctor immediately. Nevertheless women should not panic unnecessarily because all of these symptoms can be signs of something else.

However, if women are overly concerned about their menstrual disorders they should visit their medical practitioner to discuss different treatment options. Very often menstrual disorders can be helped with simple lifestyle choices or natural supplements. If these choices are not working for women there are other options available to help with menstrual disorders.

Three approaches for treating menstrual disorders:
(1)lifestyle changes, (2)alternative approaches and (3)drugs and surgery. The safest way is to start with the least risky treatment for menstrual disorders and go on to the next level only if it is necessary. Click on treatments for menstrual disorders and don’t miss these three excellent approaches.

Other Related Articles:
Menstrual Disorder and Acupuncture
Menstrual Cycle Problems and Regulation
Long Menstrual Cycles
Irregular periods for years
Irregular Periods and menopause

Sources:
  • Hutchinson, Susan M.D. "The Stages of a Woman's Life: Menstruation, Pregnancy, Nursing, Perimenopause, Menopause." November 2007.
  • Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
  • BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.