Menstrual Disorder: Amenorrhea, Menorrhagia and Dysmenorrhea
One of the health concerns of women is the menstrual disorder. Menstrual disorder is the irregular menstrual period. Normally, the first menstrual period (menarche) occurs about age 12 or 13, or sometimes earlier or later. Periods are generally irregular for the first year or two, and then they tend to recur at intervals of 24 to 32 days. Each period begins about two weeks after ovulation, or the release of an egg cell (ovum) from the ovary – unless, of course, the ovum happens to be fertilized in the interval and pregnancy interrupts the whole process. When menstrual pattern differs from the expected pattern and in the absence of pregnancy or emotional disorder, it may be the sign of a physical or emotional disorder.
Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the failure to menstruate. It is a natural effect of pregnancy and of nursing a baby. But in order women, it is maybe a sign of menopause. But if a nonpregnant or nonnursing woman after menarche and before menopause fails to menstruate for two or more periods, she should bring it to the attention of a doctor – unless of course, she has undergone a hysterectomy or other surgical or medical treatment that eliminates menstruation.
The absence of menstruation during the age of 16 or 17 is primary amenorrhea but when a menstrual periods stop after menarche, the condition is known as secondary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea may involve a single menstrual period or many periods in consecutive months. There are possible reasons for ceasing the menstruation including certain medicine, drug abuse, emotional stress, organics diseases and fluctuations in ovarian activity in the first few years after menarche.
Menorrhagia
An excessive menstrual flow is the condition known as menorrhagia. The causes of menorrhagia are as varied as those associated with amenorrhea. They include influenza, and other infectious diseases, emotional stress, polyps of the cervical or uterine tissues, hypertension, congestive heart failure, leukemia, and blood coagulation disorders.
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is abdominal or pelvic pain occurring just before or along with the onset of menstruation. The symptoms include severe colicky abdominal cramps, backache, headache, and in some cases, nausea and vomiting. There are two general types of dysmenorrhea namely primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea include all cases in which no organic disorder is associated with the symptoms, which are presumed to be a result of uterine contractions and emotional factors. But of course, the diagnosis can be made only after a careful medical history is compiled and a special study of the reproductive organs is made to ensure that no disorder has been overlooked. Seconday Dysmenorrhea is a condition comprises all menstrual pain which associated with an organic disease of the reproductive organs.
Diagnosis
Women should care to have checkup in case of any menstrual abnormalities. Various test and procedures will be done depending on the problem. A gynecologists will recommend any medical treatment if necessary.
October 11th, 2008 | Tags: Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia, menstrual disorder | Category: Womens Health
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