Menstrual Cycle: What's Normal, What's Not
Menstrual cycle can help us to know a lot about your hormonal and uterine status.
It is good to keep a track about the menses, like the duration of bleeding, amount of blood loss and the time interval between two menstrual cycle.
What's the menstrual cycle?
Every month follicular rupture takes place around 12 to 14 days of an average menstrual cycle and this process is called ovulation. Around this time hormonal changes take place and the uterus is prepared for pregnancy. If ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. This is a menstrual period.
Menstrual cycle length may vary by 2 to 3 days every month. Period might be light or heavy, painful or pain-free, long or short, and still be considered normal. Within a broad range, "normal" is what's normal for a body.
When one gets close to menopause, cycle may become irregular again. However, because the risk of uterine cancer increases as age advances, any irregular bleeding around menopause should be discussed with health care provider.
How can I track my menstrual cycle?
If you're concerned about your periods, then also make note of the following every month:
- Start & End date-How long does your period typically last? Is it longer or shorter than usual?
- Flow- Record the heaviness of your flow. Does it seem lighter or heavier than usual? How often do you need to change your sanitary protection? Have you passed any blood clots?
- Abnormal bleeding- Are you bleeding in between periods?
- Pain-Describe any pain associated with your period. Does the pain feel worse than usual?
- Other changes- Have you experienced any changes in mood or behavior? Did anything new happen around the time of change in your periods?
What causes menstrual cycle irregularities?
Menstrual cycle irregularities can have many different causes, including:
- Pregnancy or breast-feeding- A missed period can be an early sign of pregnancy. Breast-feeding typically delays the return of menstruation after pregnancy
- Eating disorders, extreme weight loss or excessive exercising- Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa — extreme weight loss and increased physical activity can disrupt menstruation.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)- Women with this common endocrine system disorder may have irregular periods as well as increase in the number of follicle in the ovary located in each ovary as seen during an ultrasound exam.
- Premature ovarian failure- Premature ovarian failure refers to the loss of normal ovarian function before age 40. Women who have premature ovarian failure — also known as primary ovarian insufficiency — might have irregular or occasional periods for years.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)-This infection of the reproductive organs can cause irregular menstrual bleeding.
- Uterine fibroids- Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus. They can cause heavy menstrual periods and prolonged menstrual periods.