Menstrual Disorders
For most women, a normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days. However, 14% to 25% of women have irregular menstrual cycles, meaning the cycles are shorter or longer than normal; are heavier or lighter than normal; or are experienced with other problems, like abdominal cramps.
Menstrual irregularities involving heavy or frequent bleeding include:
- Menorrhagia (pronounced men-uh-REY-jee-uh) or heavy menstrual periods: Also called excessive bleeding.
- Prolonged menstrual bleeding: Bleeding that exceeds 8 days in duration on a regular basis.
- Dysmenorrhea (pronounced dis-men-uh-REE-uh): Painful periods that may include severe menstrual cramps.
- Polymenorrhea (pronounced pol-ee-men-uh-REE-uh): Frequent menstrual periods occurring less than 21 days apart.
- Intermenstrual bleeding: Episodes of bleeding that occur between periods, also known as spotting.
Causes of Heavy Bleeding
Causes of heavy or frequent bleeding include:
- Adolescence (during which cycles may not be associated with ovulation)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (bleeding irregular but heavy)
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Uterine fibroids (benign growths of uterine muscle)
- Endometrial polyps (benign overgrowth of the lining of the uterus)
- Adenomyosis (the presence of uterine lining in the wall of the uterus)
- Nonhormonal IUDs
- Bleeding disorders, such as leukemia, platelet disorders, clotting factor deficiencies, or (less common) von Willebrand disease
- Pregnancy complications (miscarriage)
Diagnoses of Menstrual Irregularities
Your women's healthcare specialist may diagnose menstrual irregularities using a combination of the following:
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound examination
- Endometrial biopsy - a small sample of the uterus's endometrial lining is taken to be examined under a microscope
- Hysteroscopy - a diagnostic scope that allows a health care provider to examine the inside of the uterus, typically done as an outpatient procedure
- Ultrasound
