Common Menstrual Irregularities
Sometimes people who menstruate may experience irregularities with their menstrual cycle. Certain irregularities are common while others are more serious. If you have questions or think you have a menstrual irregularity, talk to a healthcare professional.
Click below to learn more about these irregularities.
| Primary Dysmenorrhea | Secondary Dysmenorrhea | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? |
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| Symptoms may include |
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| Treatment |
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Primary Dysmenorrhea
What is it?
- Abdominal discomfort or pain that is associated with menstruation
- About 50% of menstruators are affected by primary dysmenorrhea
- Often begins before the onset of a period and usually goes away within 2 days
Symptoms may include
- Cramping pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, back or upper legs
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Treatment
- Applying heat to painful area
- Regular exercise
- Taking pain medication or oral contraception
- Treatment for secondary dysmenorrhea depends on underlying cause, so it is very important to get help from a medical professional
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
What is it?
- Abdominal discomfort or pain that only starts after many years without experiencing other menstrual problems
- Often occurs around 30-40 years of age
- Common causes include: endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and uterine fibroids
Symptoms may include
- Constant pain that lasts for longer periods of time
- Painful sex
- Painful defecation
- Irregular menstrual bleeding
Treatment
- Applying heat to painful area
- Regular exercise
- Taking pain medication or oral contraception
- Treatment for secondary dysmenorrhea depends on underlying cause, so it is very important to get help from a medical professional
Amenorrhea
What is it?(28)
When you do not get your period
Primary Amenorrhea:
- When a menstruator has not had their first period by age 15
Secondary Amenorrhea:
- When you stop getting your period for three or more months in a row, but you previously had menstrual cycles in the past.
- Can occur naturally if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or going through menopause. This is normal and expected during these stages of life.
Possible Causes:(28)
- Taking certain medications such as:
- Contraceptives
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Chemotherapy
- Imbalanced hormone levels
- Extreme exercise
- Stress
- Low body weight
- Anatomical irregularities
Anovulation(18)
What is it?
Anovulation is when an ovary does not release an egg.
Symptoms may include:
- Irregular periods
- Heavier or longer periods
- Menstrual cramps
- Infertility
Possible Causes:
- Hormone imbalances
- Including PCOS
- Getting older
Oligomenorrhea
Polymenorrhea(19)
What is it?
Polymenorrhea is having a very short menstrual cycle - usually when it is less than 21 days
Symptoms may include:
- Irregular periods
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Possible Causes:
- Some medical conditions such as:
- Stress
- STIs
- Endometriosis
- Menopause
- It is perfectly normal for some menstruators to have shorter periods
Menorrhagia
What is it?(28)
- Menorrhagia is having unusually heavy or long periods
- 20-30% of menstruators are affected by menorrhagia
Symptoms may include:(28)
- Having a period that lasts for more than 7 days
- Having a heavier period than normal
- Soaking menstrual products with blood in a short amount of time and frequent need to change these products
Possible Causes:(28)
- Anovulation
- Endometrial polyps
- Uterine fibroids
- Underlying blood clotting disorder
Metrorrhagia
What is it?(28)
- Metrorrhagia is bleeding in between your monthly periods
- Also known as "spotting" or "breakthrough bleeding"
Possible Causes:(28)
- Common during the first few months of starting certain methods of contraception including:
- Oral contraception
- IUD
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy complications: Ectopic pregnancy
- Endometrial or cervical polyps, infection or cancer
- Endometrial Cancer in postmenopausal women
How to Treat and Care for Menstrual Irregularities
Talking to a healthcare professional - what to expect?
- If you experience any irregularities or symptoms, talk to a healthcare professional to get proper help and treatment
- You will be asked questions about your health and menstrual cycle.
- A pelvic exam may be performed to rule out other underlying conditions(28)
Treatment for menstrual irregularities
- Your doctor may suggest:
- Taking prescribed medications
- Surgery in severe cases
- Treatment really depends on the underlying cause of the irregularity, your general health, and if you want to become pregnant in the future(28).
RESOURCES
- 18. Cleveland Clinic. Anovulation [Internet]. Cleveland: Cleveland Clinic; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 23]. [LINK]
- 19. Healthline. Polymenorrhea [Internet]. [place unknown]: Healthline Media; c2005-2022 [reviewed 2018 Feb 27; cited 2022 Jan 23]. [LINK]
- 28. Lewis SL, Bucher L, Heitkemper MM, Harding MM, Barry MA, Lok J, et. al. Medical-surgical nursing in Canada. 4th Canadian ed. Milton (Ontario): Elsevier Canada Ltd; 2019.