What are Menstrual Irregularities?
Menarche is defined as the first menstrual period in a female adolescent. It refers to the age of onset of period/menstruation to a young girl. It is a subset of puberty and last to come – however mostly used synonymously. Normal age of menarche is 11-14 years, however it can be delayed or precocious.
Menustral Irregularities
- Normal Menustral Cycle
– Length of menustral cycle from 1st day of the 1st period to the 1st day of the next period
– 28 – 40 days is perfectly normal
– Normal duration of blood loss is for 3-5 days, requiring 2-3 pads per day
– Normal to have slight discomfort in abdomen, buttocks and thighs, headache and backache, breast pain. - Any deviation for above pattern is abnormal
– Inter menstrual bleeding – most alarming and can be a cause of genital tract cancer
– Delayed periods (>40 days). Early periods(<21 days) – most important cause of sub-fertility
– More blood loss (menorrhagia) – causes are fibroid, endometriosis, pelvic infection, diabetes
– Severe pain (dysmenorrhoea) – causes are fibroid, endometriosis, pelvic infection - Consult your doctor, they will advice battery of tests ( including blood test, pap smear and sonography), take appropriate treatment – will depend on the type of menstrual irregularity and its cause.