Irregular menstruation is one of the most common complaints women have when they visit a gynecologist. Such a condition does not depend on age and can overtake both a teenager during puberty and a woman in the preclimatic phase. Thus, such impairment may occur throughout a woman's reproductive life.
The norm of the menstrual cycle
The external manifestation of a normal cycle is specific discharge or menstruation, the duration of which is from three to six days. During this period, the body secretes the entire overgrown endometrial layer located on the uterine mucosa. In addition to blood, fragments of the endometrium are also released, exiting through the cervical canal into the vagina and out. At the same time, the uterine walls are reduced, clearing the uterine cavity, which causes some discomfort to the woman. The length of the menstrual cycle varies from person to person.
Tissue vessels after rejectionquickly close, and all defects of the mucous membrane are restored. This explains that in the normal state, menstruation does not lead to abnormal blood loss and anemia, disability and asthenia. On average, up to 150 ml is lost during menstruation. blood, with no clots in the discharge.
Preparation for fertilization
However, this is not only the stage of endometrial renewal. Normally, the menstrual cycle is also the stage of maturation of the egg follicle, ovulation and subsequent growth of the endometrium in preparation for possible fertilization. A woman of reproductive age may experience anovulatory cycles when she remains fertile, that is, cannot conceive. This is also considered the norm.
The menstrual cycle in girls is also individual.
First period
The first period begins when a girl goes through puberty. This suggests that the girl's reproductive system is ready to conceive a child. The first menarche can begin between 9 and 15 years of age.
The end of reproductive age occurs with the onset of menopause, when menstruation completely stops. Before this, the woman goes through the menopausal phase, which occurs after the age of 46.
Cycle violations
The ovarian-menstrual cycle in a woman's body depends on the state of the endocrine system. That is why the most common cause of a violation is a hormonal disorder. Menstrual irregularities may occurat different levels of the body, in particular with the involvement of non-reproductive intrasecretory glands. The following types of changes in the menstrual cycle are distinguished:
- The defeat of the main centers of neuroendocrine regulation of the reproductive system.
- Failure in peripheral structures, that is, directly in the organs of the reproductive system.
- Dysfunction of the intrasecretory glands.
- Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.
What is the danger of hormonal failure?
Failure at any level of the body in any case will affect the menstrual cycle. An imbalance in the level of hormones leads to pathological changes in the functioning of the ovaries, even if there are no abnormalities in their structure. As a result, there is a secretory violation of the main sex hormones, namely progesterone and estrogen. The functional layer of the mucous membrane of the uterine membrane is the first to be hit, because it is it that is rejected when the menstrual cycle ends. Therefore, any changes in the balance of hormones cause a violation of the regularity and nature of menstrual bleeding.
Pathologies of the endocrine system
Pathology in the endocrine system of a woman is the main cause of menstrual dysfunction. Only in some exceptional situations does the failure occur for non-hormonal reasons. For example, failure of menstruation can provoke significant changes in the endometrium. Sometimes it can be false amenorrhea, when the sloughing endometrium and blood from menstruation do not come outnaturally, as vaginal atresia or infection of the hymen occurs.
When a short menstrual cycle or proiomenorrhea occurs, it is necessary to identify the most likely causes of this, since successful correction of violations can be carried out when the provoking factors are eliminated.
Therefore, during the initial examination, the doctor collects all the information about concomitant pathologies in a woman. The most common reasons for cycle shortening include:
- Changes in hormonal levels.
- Inflammation in the genitals.
- Tumours of the ovaries and uterus.
- Abortion.
- Endocrine diseases (pathologies of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid gland).
- Chronic ailments (heart and blood vessels, liver, kidneys).
- Stress, overwork.
- Avitaminosis.
- Various injuries.
After eliminating the causes of the short cycle, the lost balance will be restored and the woman will be able to become pregnant.
Diagnosis
Irregularities in the menstrual cycle in most cases have a good prognosis for recovery. This is not a life-threatening change for the woman. However, it should be remembered that in every tenth case, such violations are caused by an oncological disease. For this reason, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination and find the exact cause of the failure of the cycle. Such a precaution will help diagnose cancer at an early stage and provide the necessary treatment in time.
Types of surveys
At the initial stage, the survey includes the following:
- Gathering an anamnesis on the gynecological part, while it is necessary to clarify the time of occurrence of complaints, the presence of similar failures in the past, a potential connection with non-hormonal and non-gynecological factors, the age of menarche and the likelihood of conception. Without fail, the gynecologist will take an interest in all the operations and pathologies undergone, the number of births and abortions, the course and outcome of pregnancies. In addition, you must inform the specialist about all the drugs that are taken at the time of the examination, as well as methods of contraception.
- Direct examination of the uterine cervix and vagina by a gynecologist using mirrors, as well as bimanual palpation of the pelvic organs. This examination reveals changes in the structure of the mucous membrane, such as growths, defects, discoloration, deformities and edema, varicose veins on the surface of the endometrium, size, position, contours and consistency of the appendages and uterus. In addition, vaginal discharge is evaluated.
- Vaginal, cervix, and urethral swabs to check for cleanliness and sexually transmitted infections.
- Smear for cytology. It is taken from the uterine cervix, especially if foci of pathology are detected on it.
- Checking for pregnancy through a rapid test or blood sampling for hCG levels.
- Establishment of endocrine status. The level of the main hormones that are responsible forfunctioning of the ovaries. These are progesterone, estrogen, LH and FSH, as well as prolactin. Doctors also recommend an examination of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, since a violation in these organs also adversely affects the activity of the ovaries.
- Ultrasound examination of the small pelvis using abdominal and transvaginal probes. This method will allow to give an objective assessment of the state of the uterus, appendages, blood vessels, parametric fiber and regional lymph nodes. If the girl is a virgin, then the examination is carried out using a rectal sensor. Ultrasound is considered the most accessible and informative research method to date.
- Carrying out a histological examination of the material obtained by scraping the cavity and cervix. This study is prescribed for metrorrhagia and hypermenstrual syndrome.
If violations have been identified and an additional examination is necessary, then MRI, CT, PET, etc. are usually prescribed. Most often this happens if there is a suspicion of cancer. How can I adjust the length of my menstrual cycle?
Treatment
Therapy for menstrual cycle disorders involves several basic methods:
- Stop bleeding. For this, hormonal drugs are prescribed, as well as drugs that affect blood clotting and uterine contractions. Scraping may be required in some cases.
- Elimination of hormonal imbalance. Such treatment is also a preventive measure to avoid repeated failures. The drugs are selected individually, taking into account the results of the examination of the patient's endocrine system.
- Making a decision on the need for surgical intervention in order to eliminate the cause of the failure or correct the anomaly. What else may be required to normalize the menstrual cycle?
- Stimulation of the development of the uterus and activation of the functioning of the ovaries. For this, physiotherapy, herbal medicine and vitamin treatment are carried out.
- Treatment of disorders associated with cycle disorders. It can be anemia, mental disorders, stress, etc.
- Change in therapeutic methods in the treatment of underlying pathology. Psychotropic drugs may need to be replaced with newer and more modern analogues. However, the decision on such changes should be made by the attending physician.
- For conception it is necessary to treat infertility through complex therapy. Sometimes it may require surgical correction or assisted reproductive techniques.
In closing
Irregular menstruation is not a rare problem. Even modern medicine and pharmacology are not able to reduce the relevance of this problem. However, in many cases, such conditions can be corrected by normalizing the cycle. The main thing is to seek help from a specialist in a timely manner so as not to get complications. Seeing a doctor can maintain a high quality of life for the patient and overcome infertility. And modernsafe drugs combined with physiotherapy will help with this.
Now we know what to do when the menstrual cycle has gone wrong.
