Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Menstrual Problems
Painful periods Heavy periods Menstruation is a normal part of a woman’s reproductive cycle. When an ovary releases an egg, it also releases the hormone estrogen, which stimulates the lining of the uterus to grow and engorge with blood. If the egg is not fertilized, the ovary releases progesterone, which makes the uterus shed its lining; the resulting menstrual flow generally consists of a few table-spoonfuls of blood and tissue fragments. This series of events repeats on a cycle of approximately 28 days until interrupted by pregnancy or the end of menopause. The amount of discomfort or pain a period causes, as well as the amount of menstrual flow varies widely among individuals. Also, your own period may occasionally be heavier or more painful than usual. Such problems, while unpleasant generally do not signal underlying disease. But you should be aware that the same complaints can sometimes indicate more serious conditions such as endometriosis or an ovarian cyst. The three main categories of menstrual irregularities are the lack of period (amenorrhea), painful periods (dysmenorrheal), and heavy periods (menorrhagia). Lack of Period While amenorrhea is often no cause for concern, it can be a sign of an underlying problem. It might point to low levels of estrogen in your system and are therefore at greater risk of developing osteoporosis. Or it might signal a lack of progesterone and that you are at greater risk for endometrial problems, including endometrial cancer. Also, obviously, if you do not menstruate, you cannot become pregnant. Causes The lack of period in a woman who has not yet begun to menstruate is known as primary amenorrhea; in a woman who has temporarily stopped menstruating, it is known as secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea has several causes, the most likely of which is that a girl has not yet reached puberty. It may come as a surprise to some, that it is not abnormal for puberty to occur as late as the age of 17. But delayed puberty in a girl who is very thin or who exercises excessively is worrisome, because it could indicate anorexia nervosa; women with very low body fat do not menstruate. Primary amenorrhea can also point to other problems. In rare cases, for example, a girl might actually lack ovaries or a uterus and therefore not be able to menstruate. Or a tumor, an injury or trauma, or a structural defect might be interfering with some aspect of the menstrual cycle, from the production of hormone to the actions of the organs and tissues that the hormones affect. Secondary amenorrhea can also be traced to injuries or structural abnormalities; one common cause are ovarian cysts. But factors such as stress can also disrupt the balance of hormones and thereby interrupt the normal cycle. Also, as in adolescence, being dramatically underweight can stop menstruation; if your period stops while dieting or in athletic training, you may be overdoing it. And, of course, amenorrhea could be a sign of the onset of pregnancy or menopause. Symptoms Menstruation is painful and produces clots. Called dysmenorrheal, this may be entirely normal, but ti may also be caused by endometriosis; polyps, fibroids, or other lesions or the uterus; or an intrauterine device (IUD). Menstruation does not occur. Called amenorrhea, this can come from pregnancy, over-exercise, or anorexia nervosa. Menstrual flow is heavy. Called menorrhagia, this can be a result of stress, anemia, endometriosis or other pelvic lesions, pelvic infection, or an IUD. Nutrition and Diet Some have found nutrition helpful in addressing the symptoms of amenorrhea. Nutritionists suggest eating foods or taking supplements high in zinc (fish, poultry, and lean meats) and vitamin B complex (wheat germ, brewers yeast). Painful Periods Menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, is common and normally entirely normal, even if troublesome. But there are certain times in which painful periods may signal a condition that requires further evaluation by your doctor. If your pain interferes with your normal activities, you should consider consulting your doctor or medical professional for ideas on how to best manage the pain. Causes If you have always had painful periods, they are probably the result of hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle. The factor most likely to be causing pain is that your body is producing an excess of prostaglandins – hormone like substances that cause contractions of the uterus during menstruation and when a women goes into labor. During menstruation, these contractions ensure that all the menstrual blood and tissue are expelled from the body, but excess prostaglandins cause of repeated contractions or even spasms – which are experienced as cramping. It is common for these pains to persist throughout your reproductive years, but many women find that menstrual cramps become milder after they have had a baby. Dysmenorrhea may, however, also be caused by an underlying condition, such as endometriosis, and infection, or growths in the uterus. Nutrition and Diet Eating a balanced diet consisting of small meals throughout the day rather than three larger meals and avoiding sugar, salt, and caffeine may help relieve or prevent cramping. Your may get relief from a multivitamin, mutimineral supplement containing vitamin B complex, calcium, and magnesium. Some nutritionists suggest taking 50mg of vitamin B6 twice a day. Because you’re overall goal is to keep your body relaxed, avoid caffeine and other stimulants. Yoga Some women have benefitted greatly from yoga exercises. Specific yoga position thought to be helpful for painful periods are the camel and downward dog. Heavy Periods A heavy period, medically named menorrhagia is a menstrual flow that last longer than eight days, saturates tampons or napkins within and hour, or includes large clots of blood. Causes Heavy periods may be caused by a hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, a pelvic infection, use of an IUD, or uterine growths such as fibroids. Excessive bleeding may point to other irregularities in your cycle: lack of ovulation, low levels of progesterone, or an excess of progstaglandins. Heavy periods can cause iron deficiency anemia. Home Remedies * Take a warm relaxing bath. * Take extra magnesium and calcium to stop uterine muscle cramps and to lessen the flow. * Drink herbal teas containing yarrow to help control bleeding. * Take antiprostaglandin analgesics, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. * Apply a castor oil pack to the abdomen to relax the muscles and lessen the flow. Preventing Heavy Periods Maintain normal weight for your build, which helps prevent excess fat and estrogens in the body. Women who are overweight tend to have abnormal menstrual periods, perhaps because of the increase in estrogen secreting cells. Take a multivitamin, multimineral supplement including vitamins A, B complex, C, and E, as well as calcium and iron.
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