Some women experience menstrual cycle problems when they first start to menstruate or develop these problems later on in life. While for some women, painful periods, heavier than normal bleeding, or irregular menstrual cycles could be normal, for others these symptoms could be the warning that something is wrong.

Menstrual Cycle ProblemsWhat constitutes menstrual cycle problems may vary greatly from woman to woman. While some women menstrual for only three days each cycle, others may have a 7 day period.

While some women have a 25 day cycle others may have a much longer one.

The point is that they may be normal for each of these women, a menstrual cycle problem can be said to exist when there is any change noticed and so it is important to keep track of one’s own cycle.

Common menstrual cycle problems that women experience are:

Premenstrual Stress (PMS)

These are a group of symptoms that may be felt up to 14 days before the period, ranging from anxiety and depression to tiredness, bloating, joint pain and even hot flashes. For most women the symptoms may be mild but in many cases intervention may be required.

Lighter or missing period

If you don’t get a period, firstly rule out a pregnancy, which is the most common cause of missing a period for women in their 20’s and 30’s. For women in their 30’s it could also be premature ovarian failure that causes one to miss a period.

There could be underlying problems such as a pituitary gland disorder, a hypothalamus disorder, polycystic ovarian syndrome or hormonal balances that may cause periods to become lighter or cause an absence of periods.

Extreme caloric restriction, eating disorders or over exercising can also cause this menstrual problem. Sometimes beginning on certain hormone based contraceptives can also make a period light.

A heavier than normal period

A heavier than normal monthly flow could also be problematic and could be caused by uterine fibroids, an ectopic pregnancy, a miscarriage, certain medications (or change in contraception), cancer in the reproductive organs, disorders relating to blood clotting, and so on.

Bleeding between periods

This is one of the menstrual cycle problems that should not be ignored. There could be serious underlying causes for this such as cancer or an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. In some cases it could be due to an infection in the pelvic region or infection of the reproductive organs.

It could also happen due to soreness or inflammation in the pelvic region. However in some cases it could be caused by something as simple as forgetting to take one’s birth control pill as well rather than any problem of the menstrual cycle.

Dysmenorrhea

Slightly or moderately painful periods are common – when a woman has her period, the uterus contracts to shed its lining and this causes the painful cramping characteristic of a period.

However excessive pain that is accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, nausea, diarrhea and so on, could mean other problems such as fibroids, endometriosis, and so on and should be treated as one of the menstrual cycle problems not to be ignored.

4 COMMENTS

  1. i saw my period for one and half days and it has never happened before, pls is it normal?

  2. I have just started my period for the first time, and I experienced a headache, some nausea, and diarrhea .
    Is this just because I’m starting?

  3. well i am experiencing a heavy flow with my period. I am cancer free now. But i have huge size blood clots coming out. And they are coming out more than one time a day. I called a hospital to see if this is normal. They say if you think it is serious you need to come in. And this has been happening for the last five months. Is this normal?

  4. Hi i have just had my second baby 7 months ago. I had my period once when she was 3 months and then again at 7 months when i had stopped breast feeding, now when i have my period its extremely heavy (pad is full every 2 hours) and i pass more than 15 blood clots a day and their big, when i get up in the morning i have to take a shower because im bleeding so bad and theirs such a gush of blood clots and blood its uncontrollable, i don’t know what to do thank god my man is home to take care of the kids because im so dissy, light headed and sick to my stomach i cant function. please give me an answer

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