Op. from Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Dr. Hüseyin Mutlu gave information about menstrual disorders. Disorders in the menstrual cycle can generally be related to the duration or amount of bleeding. Problems experienced differently in every woman can be seen as frequent menstruation, infrequent menstruation, heavy menstrual bleeding, low menstrual bleeding, intermittent bleeding and non-stop menstrual bleeding. Menstrual problems can be treated with medication or surgery.
Pay attention to menstrual bleeding that is more frequent than 25 days or more intermittent than 35 days.
In order to talk about irregular menstruation, it is first necessary to know within what limits regular menstruation is. A woman who menstruates every month can be said to have a regular menstrual period. It is known that bleeding every 28 days is the ideal period, but this interval can vary between 25 and 35 days. Women who have menstrual periods more frequently than 25 days have frequent menstruation, and those who have menstrual periods longer than 35 days have infrequent menstruation. While heavy menstrual bleeding may be different from normal and sometimes accompanied by clots, low menstrual bleeding generally progresses as a decrease in the normal amount of menstruation. Intermittent bleeding is bleeding between two periods.
Every woman may have a different cycle.
Menstrual processes may vary depending on each woman's structure, metabolism and cycle. These processes can be listed as follows;
“Frequent menstrual bleeding: It is frequently encountered in the pre-menopausal years and adolescence. It is accompanied by infrequent ovulation.
Infrequent menstruation: It may also be a normal finding. Hormonal tests need to be performed to reveal the cause. Among hormonal imbalances, underactive thyroid gland and high prolactin hormone levels are the most common problems. If there are no hormonal problems, no desire for a baby, and no problems such as hair growth, it can be treated with simple menstrual regulating medications.
Heavy menstrual bleeding: It usually leaves you exhausted and can cause anemia if it lasts for a long time. The underlying causes are problems in the inner lining of the uterus and myomas located in or near the uterus. In addition to examination and ultrasonography for diagnosis, curettage may be necessary for both diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, hysteroscopy may be required for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is medication or surgery depending on the cause. In addition, if anemia is detected, a separate treatment is planned for it.
Breakthrough bleeding: It may not always be accompanied by a problem. Women taking contraceptive pills may experience breakthrough bleeding, especially in the first 1-2 months. It can also be detected in women who use spirals for protection. If it occurs more frequently than 3 months, it requires investigation. Underlying causes include hormonal problems, intrauterine polyps and fibroids.
Continuous and non-stop bleeding: When it comes to severe bleeding, the main causes are myomas and polyps. This situation also requires examination for malignant diseases. Therefore, research should be done and treatment planned as soon as possible. If myomas or polyps are detected, they must be removed and a pathological examination must be requested by taking a piece of the inner lining of the uterus. Uterine cancer should be considered in women close to menopause and in persistent bleeding after menopause. Therefore, it should be taken seriously and examination and treatment should be applied without wasting time.”
Menstrual irregularity can be regulated with medication or surgery
Treatment of menstrual irregularity is directly proportional to determining the cause of the irregularity. First of all, the underlying causes should be investigated and the situation causing the problem should be corrected. The cycle of a woman with frequent menstrual bleeding can be controlled with medication. When infrequent menstrual bleeding occurs, drug treatment is started as a result of research and tests, and both hormones and menstrual bleeding cycle are regulated. For those who experience heavy menstrual bleeding, hysteroscopy or surgical procedures may be required if the problem is caused by myoma. There are also options for hormonal treatment and hormonal spiral application. For bleeding that does not respond to treatment, removal of the uterus may be a good option.