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

HOW TO DEAL WITH MENSTRUAL PAIN

Menstual pain, menstrual cramps,dysmenorhea... they all mean the same thing. menstrual pain by definition is a gynaecological condition characterized by pain/cramp during menstruation which tends to interfere with the daily activities of the woman, its avery common condition with statistics showing that more than 25% of women world wide. and as much as 90% of adolescent females tend to have menstrual pain at one time or the other.
 Now the pain may be sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting pain,varying among individuals. it may come before menstruation or during menstruation though the pain tends to subside after that. its also believed that child bearing tends to curb the condition though this too is not always the case.The pain is often felt more in the lower abdomen,in some women its felt arond the navel, while others feel it at the left or right part of their abdomen. it may radiate to the lower  back. There are females  who have this pain only transiently while others tend to even require hospitalization.Likely associated symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, headache, dizziness, disorientation, hypersensitivity to sound, light, smell and touch, fainting, and fatigue. The Symptoms of menstrual pain often begin immediately following ovulation and can last until the end of menstruation.
  
TYPES:
 The type of menstrual pain is grouped into primary and secondary types.

• primary: this is the  most common type AND caused by a normal physiological process.this tends to affect ladies younger than 20 and doesn't have any underlying pathological condition

• secondary: this pain is usally described as crushing or cramping and is usually associated with another know disease such as endometriosis, uterine  fibroids, pelvic  inflammatory disease etc and usually doesnt start from the first menstrual period menarche

What causes menstrual cramps?

During each menstrual period, if there is no sperm to fertilize the egg, the uterus contracts to expel its lining. This process is driven by the release of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which are associated with pain and inflammation in higher levels. These uterine contractions cause much of the pain felt during menstrual cramps because the contractions inhibit blood flow to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium).

In addition, substances known as leukotrienes are also elevated during menstruation, and they may be a cause of menstrual cramps.   

HOW TO MANAGE MENSTRUAL PAIN 

1. Try not to think about stuff thart would anger or upset you. this build up the chemicals that causes menstrual pain
2. Make sure you avoid caffeine: soda, pop, coffee, etc, etc. Also, avoid foods high in sugar and sodium.
3. Engage in stress releiving activities.exercises helps a great deal/ dance if you can to that favourite jam of yours
4. TRY dietary supplements,Some studies indicate that Vitamin E, thiamine and Omega-3 supplements may reduce menstrual cramps.  
5. Pain killers like NSAIDS e.g ibuprofen tend to reduce menstrual flow and not just the pain. if  you're reactive to  NSAIDS( NON STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS) try taking acetaminophen. it might not work as good. but it sure would work.
6. If you suspect you might have secondary dysmenorhea, see your doctor as soon as possible 

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