Understanding Menstrual Health: Common Disorders and Their Impact

Menstruation has been referred to by names such as the "period" since antiquity, which originate from the temporal correspondence between the menopause and menses. Ancient doctors had seen menstruation as a detoxifying process, and the traditions and misconceptions about it have designed negative insights of menses during history. The medical industry has a role of responsibility to edify the community about menstruation. A distinctive reproductive process is an active means of treating menstrual disorders and their symptoms. Few menstrual disorders, like dysmenorrhea, can be easily explained with a physiologic agenda that serves as a basis for suitable treatment and education but whereas some, like PMS are still hard to be understood for many.

Few of the common menstrual disorders:

● Amenorrhea

● Dysmenorrhea

● Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

● Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

● Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

What is Amenorrhea?

Absence of menstruation continuously for three or more repeated cycles,or a person who has not started their period by the age of fifteen. There are primarily two kinds:

• Primary amenorrhea: It is a condition when a girl has not started with her menstruation at the age of fifteen or maybe within five to six years of breast development, they are said to be diagnosed with primary amenorrhea.
• Secondary amenorrhea: Person who previously had an experience of regular periods but stops menstruating later is been contexted to secondary amenorrhea. The major cause may be anatomical problem, hormonal imbalances, and genetic disorders.

Symptoms and signs of amenorrhea

Lack of monthly menstruation.

Potential signs of underlying issues (e.g., mood swings, changes in weight).

Diagnosis:

It usually entails: Medical background and physical assessment, hormone levels can be measured via blood tests. Ultrasound scans may be performed to examine the reproductive organs.

Treatment for amenorrhea

No specific treatment might be given because it is a lifestyle disorder so the doctor may suggest changes in lifestyle like having balanced diet, exercise, Hormonal treatments may be provided, taking care of primary medical issues.

Dysmenorrhea

Uncharacteristic discomfort at the period of your menstrual cycle is known as dysmenorrhea, and it can impact extremely.

Typically, it falls into one of two groups;

• Primary dysmenorrhea: This kind happens when there is not an underlying illness. It can linger for several days and usually starts one to two days before menstruation. The main cause of the pain is because of severe uterine contraction.
• Secondary dysmenorrhea: This is the condition where one might have major issues with fertility, which also comprises endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis and Inflammatory disease of the pelvis (PID).

What might be the signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea?

Symptoms are cramps in lower abdomen, frequent pain in thighs and lower back, frequent vomiting or feeling tired, frequent headaches and diarrhoea.

A diagnosis usually entails:

• Pelvic examinations,
• Medical background and physical assessment,
• Ultrasound and other imaging tests to find any underlying conditions and severity

Treatment:

Options can vary from person to person it may include;

• Pills for pain management will be provided which can help in the reduction of swelling and pain.
• Changes in Lifestyle will be suggested which might include frequent physical activity.
• Heating or hot pads, or heat therapy methods for better relaxation, yoga, meditation.
• Alternative medical therapies- some people may find liberation through acupuncture treatments.

Prescription Drugs: If the condition is serious then the doctor might recommend hormonal treatment or a few stronger painkillers.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

The condition which is seen at the luteal phase of the cycle, where they might have a mixture of bodily, psychological, and emotive symptoms, might be around one to two weeks before the periods.

Symptoms

PMS symptoms vary from one individual to another which includes:

• Swelling rawness in the breasts, tired, frequent headaches, can also have pain in the muscles or joint as the major symptom.
• Modifications to sleep habits. Symptoms related to emotions and behaviour- Changes in mood easily agitated or furious.
• You might also experience depression or anxiety, low ability to concentrate, appetite changes.
• The exact cause of PMS is unknown, consistent fluctuations in hormones, majorly estrogen and progesterone levels.

Treatment for PMS

• Additional elements could be: Genetics, Stress lifestyle (exercise, nutrition),
• Options for treatment can change depending on how severe the symptoms are, hormonal therapy and antidepressants will be given.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is the severe way of (PMS) where they are encountered with having solid emotion and numerous additional bodily indications that intentionally influence day to day activities.

Signs and symptoms:

PMDD symptoms seems to appear at luteal phase of the period cycle, and they go away quickly after menstruation starts.

Major signs and symptoms consist of;

• Easily agitated or furious,
• Depression or a sense of helplessness,
• Tension or anxiety,
• Diminished enthusiasm for routine tasks,
• Symptoms related to emotions: extreme fluctuations in mood,
• Symptoms in the body may also include weary sleep disorders (oversleeping or insomnia),
• Gaining weight and might face swelling, soreness in the breasts might be observed.

What causes PMDD?

The exact cause of PMDD is not properly known, changes in hormones, especially progesterone and estrogen levels, are thought to be the main factor also hormonal changes and environmental stress.

Treatment options include;

Changes in Lifestyle, frequent physical activity, a well-rounded diet full of whole foods

Stress-reduction methods like mindfulness, yoga.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a disorder that distresses fertility. It might be a combination of severe symptoms linked with irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal dysregulation, and ovarian cysts.

Symptoms:

Primary symptom of PCOS consist of menstrual cycles that are not regular. Females with PCOS might have excess levels of androgen, which can cause hirsutism, or they might have a over growth of facial and body hair, greasy skin baldness or hair thinning.

Ovaries filled with cysts can be detected through ultrasound scan. Maintaining a constant healthy weight is a great challenge for many people with PCOS, and they usually suffer from infertility by irregular ovulation in this case.

Treatments for PCOS

PCOS cannot be cured completely but you might be given treatment to control the major symptoms, that involves modifications in lifestyle diet and exercise, maintaining a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise can help manage a healthy weight.

Treatments for Fertility: For those attempting to conceive couples are advised to undergo assisted reproductive procedures or medicines are prescribed.