Currently, the most common cause of a woman's visit to a gynecologist is a malfunction of the menstrual cycle. This condition can be dangerous, as it indicates a violation of the normal functioning of the female reproductive system. What is the decoding of the NMC and the possible causes leading to this condition, we will consider in the article.
What is NMC
NMC are menstrual irregularities that can occur in every woman. This can be facilitated by both pathological causes (inflammation, hormonal disruptions) and physiological (pregnancy or the body's response to a change in climate).
Menstruation is an integral part of a woman’s life. The norm is the menstrual cycle, the duration of which is 21–35 days. It all depends on the physiological characteristics of the female body. Single deviations from the norm for up to five days are not considered pathological, but with systematic delays of menstruation of 5 days or more, you should consult a doctor, as this can be a sign of NMC, which without serious treatment provokes serious complications.
Types of pathology and their symptoms
Symptoms of deviations can manifest themselves in different ways, depending on what type they belong to. Currently, experts distinguish the following menstrual irregularities:
- Algodismenorea. Painful menstruation, which is accompanied by a headache, general malaise. Disorders in the intestines, nausea, mood swings may occur. In adolescent girls during the formation of the cycle, this condition can be considered the norm. This type is the most common disorders.
- Amenorrhea. It is characterized by the absence of menstruation for six months or more. It may be primary - when menstruation does not begin before 16 years. In this case, the NMC in the ICD code is 91.0. Secondary amenorrhea occurs in women of reproductive age who have an established cycle. NMC as an amenorrhea is a pathological condition that requires immediate treatment.
- Oligomenorrhea. It is characterized by short menstruation - no more than two days. In the ICD, 10 NMCs of this type have a code of 91.3–91.5.
- Hypomenorrhea. Scanty menstruation, in which the volume of secreted blood is very small.
- Hypermenorrhea. Very plentiful periods.
- Menorrhagia. These are menstruations that occur without delay, but are plentiful and last a very long time (over 7 days). This condition is not an independent disease, but a sign of other serious disorders in the body of a woman.
- Polymenorrhea. So called frequent periods. In this case, a woman has a short menstrual cycle.
Common signs of impairment include pulling pains in the lower abdomen and lower back, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, and stool disorders. Also, in some cases, obesity and infertility are observed.
Causes
The causes of menstrual irregularities can be the following factors:
- Pregnancy.
- Abortion.
- Stress, depression and any psycho-emotional stress.
- Climate change.
- Improper nutrition.
- Obesity.
- Lack of sleep.
- Avitaminosis.
- Improper organization of work and leisure.
- Excessive exercise.
- Taking certain medications.
- Exposure to harmful substances or radiation.
- The use of an intrauterine device, which can cause an increase in the volume of blood secreted.
Also, NMC is a kind of response of the body to pathological processes that occur in any organs. Failures of the menstrual cycle can be signs of the following pathologies:
- Hormonal disorders.
- Ovarian dysfunction.
- Inflammatory or infectious processes.
- Congenital pathologies of the organs of the female reproductive system.
- Polycystic
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids.
- Tumors
- Pathology of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland.
- Diabetes.
- Violations in the work of the adrenal glands, kidneys.
- Hyperplasia
- Ovarian cysts.
- Trauma and post-operative period.
The emergence of NMC in gynecology can cause other factors that must be considered by a doctor individually.
It should take into account the age of the patient. For example, in the teenage period, one and a half years after the first menstruation, an irregular cycle may be the norm, if diagnostic measures have not revealed other pathologies.
After childbirth and during breastfeeding, malfunctions of the menstrual cycle occur due to changes in the hormonal background.
After 40 years, NMCs may be a sign of the onset of menopause. In this case, a gradual decrease in the reproductive function and activity of the ovaries occurs. This condition is a variant of the norm.
If the violations occurred after 35 years, this may indicate both an early menopause and pathological processes that require immediate treatment.
Diagnostics
NMC is a condition that in most cases speaks of the development of pathological processes in the body of a woman. At the first signs, you should consult a gynecologist who will prescribe diagnostic measures. Based on their results, the most effective therapy in each particular case will be selected.
Timeliness and quality of diagnosis will minimize the risk of complications.
- First of all, if there are any violations of the cycle, you need to contact a gynecologist. At the reception, the doctor collects an anamnesis of the disease, clarifies the presence of provoking factors - the presence of stressful situations, sex life, taking medications and others.
- Inspection is performed using gynecological mirrors.
- Taking smears for laboratory tests.
- Smears for oncocytology and STIs.
- General analysis of urine and blood.
- Blood test for hormones. This is a very important point of diagnosis, since many deviations are caused precisely by hormonal imbalances.
- Hysteroscopy.
- Colposcopy.
- Laparoscopic method of diagnosis.
- Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs and, if necessary, the thyroid gland.
- MRI or CT scan of the brain (if the doctor sees this as necessary).
Endocrinologist consultation may be required.
The diagnosis of NMC is made only after receiving the results of all prescribed tests.
Treatment
Since violations of the menstrual cycle causes a large number of reasons, treatment is selected individually in each case. The therapy may be performed with a medicament or a surgical method. Sometimes it is recommended the use of traditional medicine. Consider treatment options in more detail.
Conservative method. It includes the following types of drugs:
- Hormonal Assigned if the tests revealed hormonal imbalances. With this treatment option, estrogens, analogues of thyroid hormones, gestagens, and others can be used.
- Oral contraceptives that can restore the menstrual cycle. But it is worth remembering that these drugs can cause allergic reactions.
- Hemostatic drugs. Assign with heavy menstruation. The use of this category of drugs is possible only after consulting with your doctor, as they can cause such side effects as the formation of thrombosis.
- Iron-containing medications for the treatment and prevention of anemia.
- Antispasmodics.
- Painkillers
- Anti-inflammatory therapy.
- Antibiotics.
- Vitamin Therapy.
Surgery. It is used if conservative therapy does not bring results, as well as with tumors and in the presence of cysts. With surgical intervention, a cavity operation or laparoscopy is performed, which is a more gentle method.
ethnoscience
Folk remedies have proven themselves in the treatment of NMCs associated with malfunctioning hormones or in the absence of menstruation. It may be recommended to take decoctions and infusions of such herbs as oregano, parsley seeds, St. John's wort and others. Horsetail helps to cope with painful menstruation.
It is worth remembering that the use of any means of traditional medicine should be agreed with the attending physician.
Effects
NMC is a pathological condition that may be a sign of the development of serious diseases.
Cycle disorders often leads to infertility. A hormonal disorder affects the maturation of the eggs, the thickness of the endometrium, as a result of which the pregnancy either does not occur at all, or an early miscarriage occurs. If the cause of the disruption is an endocrine system disorder, the whole body can suffer. This is due to the fact that all human organs and systems are interconnected. An imbalance of hormones makes a disorder in the functioning of the whole organism. Inflammatory processes without proper treatment can spread throughout the body, causing serious complications.
Prevention
Preventive measures include the following:
- Proper nutrition.
- Healthy lifestyle.
- Weight control.
- Planned visit to the gynecologist.
- Moderate physical activity.
- Abortion Prevention
Conclusion
Menstrual irregularities can occur in women at any period of reproductive age. These deviations can both be the norm and speak of serious violations of women's health, which, without timely treatment, can lead to irreparable consequences. It is necessary to listen to your body and at the first sign of NMC, consult a gynecologist.