TYPES OF MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

Menstrual disorders are irregularities that follows the otherwise process of menstruation. its often observed in the adolescent age range.psychological and physical factors play individual role in menstrual disorders. To help appreciate the concept and types of menstrual irregularities. its important that we understand the basic idea of menstruation and menstrual cycle.
   Menstruation is the shedding off of the endometrial lining of the uterus following an inability of fertilization to occur while menstrual cycle refers to the physiological rhythm of a woman that occurs from when the oocyte matures,ovulates,and enters the uterine tube. it begins at roughly age11-13 while most cycles last between 21-35 days. Regular menstruation last between 3-5 days, though a range of 2-10 days is considered essentially normal.
   

Types of Menstrual Disorder

The types of disorders that can arise in the otherwise normal process of menstruation include

• Menstrual pain or Dysmennorhea
• Irregular menstruation e.g Amenorrhea and oligomenorhea
• Abnormal flow e.g menorhagia and methrorhagia 

MENSTRUAL PAIN: This remains a very important complaint made by women worldwide. its groupes into primary and secondary though the primary is easily treatable and more common. it presents as a pain in the lower abdomen which is felt before or during menstruation .dysmenorhea is caused by chemicals (leukotriene and prostalgladin) which are secreted during the menstrual cycle. sIecondary dysmenorhea usually have an underlying cause e.g endometriosis



IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION: Irregular menstruation is where there is variation in menstrual cycle length of more than approximately eight days for a woman.it could either be Amenorhea,oligomenorhea or polymenorhea.
Amenorhea refers to an absence of menstrual period in a woman who's of reproductive age. it could either be primary or secondary with the primary being caused by developmental factors as the menstrual flow never did start, secondary amenorrhea is caused by an hormonal imbalance usually from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland both in the brain
Oligomenorhea is defined as menstrual periods separated by more than 35days apart. its usually due to hormonal imbalance



ABNORMAL FLOW: Menorrhagia is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals. Causes may be due to abnormal blood clotting, disruption of normal hormonal regulation of periods or disorders of the endometrial lining of the uterus. Depending upon the cause, it may be associated with abnormally painful periods.
Metrorhagia is bleeding between periods . it usually signify  the presence of another pathology.


MEDICAL CARE OF MENSTRUAL DISORDERS

• In amenorrhea and menorhagia, treatment is done with respect to types.its advisable that women see their doctors as soon as possible if they suspect a case amenorrhea.
•  dysmenorhea: for help on menstrual pain, refer to this post