Menstrual disorders are problems that affect a woman's normal menstrual cycle. They include painful cramps during menstruation, abnormally heavy bleeding, or not having any bleeding. Menstruation occurs during the years between puberty and menopause. Menstruation, also called "menses" or a "period," is the monthly flow of blood from the uterus through the cervix and out through the vagina.
Menstrual disorders include:
- Dysmenorrhea refers to painful cramps during menstruation.
- Premenstrual syndrome refers to physical and psychological symptoms occurring prior to menstruation.
- Menorrhagia is heavy bleeding, including prolonged menstrual periods or excessive bleeding during a normal-length period.
- Metrorrhagia is bleeding at irregular intervals, particularly between expected menstrual periods.
- Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation.
- Oligomenorrhea refers to infrequent menstrual periods. Hypomenorrhea refers to light periods.
If you would like to learn more visit the HSE website www2.hse/conditions/period-problems.
It is useful to keep a diary of your symptoms during your menstrual cycle to give to your GP at your appointment.