Menstrual health is a cornerstone of overall well-being for women. While regular menstrual cycles are common, deviations often occur due to various factors, leading to types of abnormal menstruation. Understanding these menstrual abnormalities and their causes is critical for maintaining reproductive health.

This blog provides an in-depth look at types of menses irregularities, their medical terms, and the possible treatment options to address them effectively.

What Are Abnormal Menstruation Patterns?

Abnormal menstruation refers to any disruption in the timing, flow, or symptoms of a typical menstrual cycle. While a normal cycle lasts 21–35 days, deviations in flow or timing often signal underlying menstruation abnormalities.

Key Indicators of Abnormal Menstruation

• Flow Issues: Light or heavy bleeding.
• Cycle Irregularities: Periods that are too frequent or infrequent.
• Associated Symptoms: Severe pain, nausea, or fatigue.

Detailed Types of Abnormal Menstruation

1. Amenorrhea (Absence of Menstruation)

Medical Term: Amenorrhea is classified as primary (no menstruation by age 15) or secondary (absence for three months in someone with regular cycles).

Common Causes:

• Genetic issues or Turner syndrome (primary amenorrhea).
• Stress, PCOS, or thyroid problems (secondary amenorrhea).

Symptoms:

• No menstrual bleeding for extended periods.
• Potential infertility due to hormonal imbalances.

Impact: Amenorrhea can disrupt bone density, leading to conditions like osteoporosis if left untreated.

2. Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding)

Medical Term: Menorrhagia involves excessive menstrual bleeding that can interfere with daily life.

Causes:

• Fibroids, polyps, or endometriosis.
• Blood disorders affecting clotting.
• Hormonal imbalances due to conditions like PCOS.

Symptoms:

• Bleeding lasting more than seven days.
• Large clots and soaking through sanitary products every hour.

Management:

• Hormonal therapies like oral contraceptives.
• Surgical solutions, such as endometrial ablation, for severe cases.

3. Polymenorrhea (Frequent Periods)

Medical Term: Polymenorrhea refers to menstrual cycles shorter than 21 days.

Causes and Risk Factors:

• Hormonal changes during perimenopause.
• Stress or thyroid dysfunction.
• Uterine infections leading to irregular cycles.

Symptoms:

• Frequent menstruation with normal or heavy flow.

Polymenorrhea can lead to complications like anemia due to frequent blood loss.

4. Oligomenorrhea (Infrequent Periods)

Medical Term: Oligomenorrhea describes cycles longer than 35 days.

Causes:

• High levels of prolactin or PCOS.
• Excessive exercise or eating disorders.

Women with oligomenorrhea often struggle to predict ovulation, affecting fertility.

5. Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)

Medical Term: Dysmenorrhea is categorized into primary (unrelated to other conditions) or secondary (caused by disorders like endometriosis).

Symptoms:

• Intense cramps, often radiating to the back or thighs.
• Associated nausea, headaches, or diarrhea.

Pain management techniques, including NSAIDs, heat application, and lifestyle changes, can improve symptoms significantly.

6. Hypomenorrhea (Light Menstrual Bleeding)

Medical Term: Hypomenorrhea refers to abnormally light periods.

Causes:

• Hormonal contraceptives.
• Scar tissue in the uterus (Asherman’s syndrome).
• Approaching menopause.

Although light bleeding may seem convenient, it often indicates underlying hormonal imbalances.

Common Causes of Abnormal Menstruation

1. Hormonal Imbalances: Estrogen and progesterone imbalances disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing conditions like menorrhagia or polymenorrhea.
2. PCOS: A leading cause of irregular menstruation, it affects ovulation and hormone levels.
3. Thyroid Disorders: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism impact menstrual patterns.
4. Lifestyle Factors: Stress, rapid weight changes, and extreme exercise routines are common culprits.

How Are Menstrual Abnormalities Diagnosed?

Proper diagnosis is key to addressing menses abnormalities.

1. Detailed Patient History:
   • Record cycle patterns, associated symptoms, and family history.
2. Physical Examination:
   • Check for structural abnormalities or uterine issues.
3. Blood Tests:
   • Hormone tests to identify imbalances.
   • Thyroid function tests to rule out thyroid conditions.
4. Imaging Studies:
   • Ultrasounds or MRIs can reveal fibroids, polyps, or cysts.

Treatment Options for Abnormal Menstruation

Treatment varies based on the type of irregularity.

• Hormonal Therapies: Oral contraceptives or progestin can regulate cycles.
• Pain Management: NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation during dysmenorrhea.
• Surgical Interventions: Severe cases of fibroids or endometriosis may require surgical removal.
• Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management can significantly improve menstrual health.

FAQs About Types of Abnormal Menstruation

What are the medical terms for abnormal periods?
The medical terms include abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and specific conditions like amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea.

What does polymenorrhea mean?
Polymenorrhea is the medical term for frequent periods occurring less than 21 days apart.

What are the causes of irregular menstruation?
Common causes include hormonal imbalances, stress, PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, and lifestyle factors.

How are menses abnormalities treated?
Treatment ranges from hormonal therapy and medications to surgical procedures, depending on the severity and type of abnormality.

What is the abnormal menstruation medical term?
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a general medical term for menstrual irregularities.

Can stress cause irregular menses?
Yes, chronic stress impacts hormone levels and can lead to irregular menstruation or even skipped periods.