Menstrual Disorders: Causes and Treatments

Medical expert’s say that an ideal menstrual cycle in a healthy woman runs for 28 days, with menstrual flow lasting for an average of 5 days. They also indicate that there are some variations in the length of cycle from woman to woman. Usually the cycle varies between 24 and 34 days, with menstrual flow lasting between 2 and 8 days. These experts also inform that any other menstrual experiences that fall outside the above normal patterns are considered to be abnormal and as such should be treated medically. Types: there are various types of menstrual disorders that torment women of various ages and socio-economic status. Some of these disorders will include:

Amenorrhea (or absence of menstruation) may be classified into two: primary: this is a condition where menstruation has never occurred in the women, in the first place.

-secondary: this is a condition where the woman has been experiencing menstruation in the past before the menses ceased due to some disorders that she developed along line.

Monorrhagia: excessive menstrual flows lasting more than seven days on an irregular and frequent basis.

Metrorrhagia: excessive flows lasting more than seven days on an irregular and infrequent basis.

Dysmenorrheal: may be classified into two:

Primary or spasmodic type: pains which women start experiencing right from the first menstrual experience in puberty till adulthood. This type of pain normally starts on the day of menstruation, mostly a few hours before menstrual flow commences and stops within 24hours into the menstruation. The occurrence however starts to decrease with age or the experience of pregnancy / childbirth. Secondary or congestive type: menstrual pains, which normally result from some known disorders in the body, such as fibroids, endometriasis or pelvic inflammatory diseases, etc. it is said that it is unusual before the age of 25 and very rare before the age of 30. The pain usually starts two or more days before menses, increasing and getting to peak level, before it will start declining for two or more days. It often comes with such syndromes as headache, abdominal discomfort, menstrual cramp, weakness, etc.

Causes: menstrual disorders may be caused by any combinations of the following:

Psychological or emotional disturbances, nutritional deficiencies, excessive weight, physical inactivity, wrong eating habits, hormone disorder, congenital abnormalities in the development of some reproductive organs, pelvic inflammatory diseases, poor circulation, change of environment or weather, anxiety, etc.

Treatment: the following natural remedies may benefit those suffering from menstrual disorders:

• Hydrotherapy: place a hot-water bottle over the lower abdomen, for quick relief
• Exercise therapy: do gentle exercise such as walking within the neighborhood. This will improve circulation and also release the body’s natural pain killers.

• Psychotherapy: professional counseling to remove state of anxiety, emotional and psychological problems, environmental problems, etc. 

• Nutritional therapy: go on fresh fruits diet a few days to the commencement of menses.
• Body work: An appropriate body massages will relief congestion and improves circulation.

• Dietary supplement: minerals and vitamins like a, b-complex or c.