Are you having regular menstrual cycles? Menstrual cycles are the regularly recurring changes in the reproductive system driven by hormones. Simply put, you will experience the start and end of the menses phase, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase, and then the start of the next menses phase in regular time ranges.

Your menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of your period until the day before the first day of your next period. A typical cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days, which varies from person to person and is affected by personal lifestyle habits such as diet, sleep schedule, stress, etc. The cycle length is not fixed for each person, for example, one can have a cycle lasting from 28 to 30 days or 31 to 33 days, varying by a few days each time.

What are menstrual disorders?

If you experience abnormal menstrual cycles or periods, these can be signs of menstrual disorders. Examples are irregular periods, short cycles (less than 21 days), long cycles (more than 39 days), and heavy or light periods.

What causes menstrual disorders?

Menstrual disorders can be caused by many reasons, including uterine lesions such as uterine fibroids, adenomyomas, uterine polyps and cervical polyps, and ovarian lesions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Some endocrine disorders like thyroid diseases can also cause menstrual disorders.

In addition, irregular menstrual cycles can be caused by being underweight/overweight, eating disorders, intense activities, excessive stress and certain drugs.

If you experience the following symptoms, you may be suffering from menstrual disorders:

Irregular menstrual cycles that come early or late by a week or more or missed periods for months.

Heavier or lighter bleeding

Periods lasting less than 2 days or more than 7 days

Bleeding between two cycles

Amenorrhea: absence of menstruation after the age of 18 or over 6 months

Metrorrhagia: heavy bleeding between menstrual periods

Menstrual disorders are often warnings that alert you to the abnormalities of your body. If you experience menstrual disorders despite a regular sleep schedule, adequate sleep and a healthy diet, you may be suffering from endocrine problems or gynaecological diseases and should seek help from a specialist as soon as possible.