Severe Menstrual Irregularities

Some menstruators have severe menstrual irregularities or can get a common infection.

Click below to learn more about these irregularities.

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Fibroids
Endometriosis
Treatments
Resources

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)(20)

What is it?

  • The exact cause of PCOS is not known but is related to uneven levels of androgens (male sex hormones) in the body.
  • Young people may develop PCOS shortly after they begin menstruating, but they may only become aware of this later on in life when they are trying to become pregnant(26).

Symptoms may include(26)

  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Amenorrhea
  • Excess body hair, especially on the face, chest, back and stomach
  • Obesity
  • Infertility

You may be at risk due to:(20)

  • Family History of PCOS
  • Obesity
  • Insulin resistance (diabetes)

Learn more about PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Fibroids(21)

Fibroids
  • Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumours that grow in the uterus.
  • They do not increase your risk for having uterine cancer.
  • There is no known specific cause for developing fibroids.

Symptoms may include(21)

  • Excessive menstrual bleeding
  • Discomfort or pain around the abdomen or lower back
  • Vaginal bleeding in between menstruations
  • Discomfort or pain during intercourse
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Some people might not experience any symptoms

You may be at risk due to:(21)

  • Family history of uterine fibroids
  • Being overweight
  • Having a diet low in fruits and vegetables, high in red meat
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Beginning your menstrual cycle at an early age

Learn more about Uterine Fibroids

Endometriosis(28)

Endometriosis
  • Your endometrium is a layer cells that are normally present inside your uterus
  • Endometriosis is when these cells are present outside the uterus in parts of your body where they should not be:
    • Most commonly in areas around your ovaries, fallopian tubes and abdomen
    • But they can also be found in other areas such as your stomach, spleen and lungs

Symptoms may include(28)

  • Secondary dysmenorrhea
  • Infertility
  • Pelvic pain
  • Painful sex
  • Irregular bleeding
Symptoms vary from person-to-person and depend on severity of endometriosis

You may be at risk due to:

  • Genetics
  • First starting your period at a young age (younger than age 11)
  • Having short menstrual cycles
  • Having unusually long and heavy periods
  • Infertility(22)

Learn more about Endometriosis

Treatment

Individuals who have these symptoms may feel embarrassed and might not want to talk about what they are going through(26).

But if you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is very important to get professional medical help as proper treatment can help to determine the underlying cause as well as relieve discomfort and pain(26)!

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]
  • 20. John Hopkin’s Medicine. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [Internet]. [place unknown]: John Hopkin’s University; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 21. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Common reproductive health concerns for women [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2018 Apr 27; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 22. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are the risk factors for endometriosis? [Internet]. [Place unknown]: NICHD; [date unknown] [reviewed 2020 Feb 21; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 23. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – CDC fact sheet [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2020 Nov 19; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 24. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaginal candidiasis [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2021 Oct 12; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 25. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial Vaginosis – CDC fact sheet [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2022 Jan 5; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 26. Mayo Clinic. Vulvodynia [Internet]. [place unknown]: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2020 Jul 23 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 27. Garg S, Anand T. Menstruation related myths in India: strategies for combating it. Research Gate [Internet]. 2015 [2022 Jan 23]; 4(2):184-6. [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.