Menstrual Problems: Know The Causes

Menstrual problems affect most of the women in the world. Menstruation, or commonly known as period, is the monthly discharge of the uterine lining in every woman of reproductive age. It normally begins once a girl attains the age of puberty, and continues to last until menopause, which usually hits at about age 50.

Menstrual cycle differs from one woman to the next or even from menstruation to menstruation. Menstrual blood contains not only blood but also tissue from inside the uterus. Though menstruation is a regular phenomenon in every woman, many of them experience menstrual problems to some degree and marked by peculiar symptoms.

Causes of Menstrual Problems

Menstrual problems can be attributed to a number of causes:

Failure of Ovulation to Occur

Ovulation is the process of releasing mature egg from the ovary, which occurs only once in every menstrual cycle. The most common cause of abnormal menstrual cycle is failure to ovulate. The failed ovulation may occur due to several factors, which include hormonal irregularities, excessive weight loss, ovarian problems such as tumor or cyst, damaged fallopian tubes and abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Ovulatory disorder can be treated by taking medication to stimulate ovulation such as Clomiphene (clomid) and Tamoxifen. They work out by competing with estrogen causing it to signal increased production of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) which increases stimulation of the ovary and the chance of an egg being produced. Aside from drug treatment, surgical treatment and LHRH pump can also be an option in other cases.

 Elevation in the Serum Prolactin

Another common cause of menstrual problem is an elevation in the serum Prolactin. It is a single-chain protein hormone closely related to growth hormone, and secreted by the pituitary gland. Elevated Prolactin keeps estrogen levels low and may cause infertility and changes in menstruation. Breast stimulation, sexual intercourse, pelvic examinations and antipsychotic medications are often associated with the causes for the elevation in the serum Prolactin.

Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease can also interfere with the menstrual cycle in women. Abnormally high or low levels of thyroid hormone can affect the metabolism and regulation of ovarian function. As both the thyroid and menstrual cycle are controlled by endocrine system, thyroid disorder can also lead to menstrual problem.

Dysmenorrhoea

Dysmenorrhoea, simply put, refers to menstrual pain, which normally involves sharp and intermittent pain, constant dull or aching pain, usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Although some degree of pain is normal, intense pain is not. Dysmenorrhoea happens when the muscles of the uterus squeeze and contract harder than normal to dislodge the thickened lining, which reduces the blood supply to the uterus. This can result in the pain.

Amenorrhoea

Amenorrhoea is the absence or stoppage of menstrual bleeding. The problem may lie in the hypothalamus and the pituitary, or the uterus or the ovary. Other endocrine glands like thyroid, pancreas and adrenal cortex, and some medications such as phenothiazines are also said to contribute to amenorrhoea.

Menorrhagia

Statistics reveal that one-third of women suffer from a condition of menorrhagia, that is excessive menstrual flow. Hormonal imbalance is said to be the most common cause for menorrhagia. However, uterine fibroids or tumor, family history of bleeding disorder, thyroid problem, tubular pregnancy and pelvic infections can also cause menorrhagia. Untreated menorrhagia can lead to anemia.

 Oligomenorrhoea

Oligomenorrhoea is the other type of menstrual problem affecting women. Oligomenorrhoea is the infrequent or very light menstruation. It happens to women who have already had regular menstrual cycles but are now experiencing infrequent menstruation. It should be distinguished from amenorrhoea, which is stoppage of menstruation. Severe oligomenorrhoea can develop into menorrhagia.

 Being overweight

Body weight also plays a key role in determining the ovulation and menstruation. Overweight women commonly experience menstrual irregularity. This is because their bodies tend to have excess amounts of body fat, resulting in the bodies producing extra estrogen, and interfering with the regular process of ovulation and menstruation.

Emotional Stress

Emotional stress is another possible cause of irregular menstruation. It can be a significant trigger for pain, discomfort and muscle tension. Changes in the usual routine, heart-breaking events such as divorce or death, highly important and urgent tasks to be completed, can all cause the menstrual cycle change its pattern. There is no specific therapy for menstrual disorder due to emotional stress. Normal menstrual cycle will usually resume once the stressful bouts end and the routines return to normal.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that can have life-threatening consequences. People with anorexia constantly diet despite continued weight loss, in relentless pursuit of thinness. It usually begins during adolescence and is more common among females. Anorexia can cause hormone levels drop, and can lead to menstrual problem.