Violation of the menstrual cycle is one of the most common complaints of women when contacting a gynecologist. This condition does not depend on age and can overtake both a teenager during puberty and a woman in the pre-climatic phase. Thus, such a violation can occur throughout the reproductive life of a woman.
Menstrual cycle rate
The external manifestation of the normal cycle is specific discharge or menstruation, the duration of which is from three to six days. During this period, the body secretes the entire overgrown endometrial layer located on the uterine mucosa. In addition to blood, fragments of the endometrium are also released, leaving through the cervical canal into the vagina and out. The fallopian walls are reduced, cleaning the uterine cavity, which causes a certain discomfort to the woman. The duration of the menstrual cycle is individual for everyone.
The vessels of tissues after rejection quickly close, and all defects of the mucous membrane are restored. This explains that in a normal state, menstruation does not lead to abnormal blood loss and anemia, disability and asthenia. On average, up to 150 ml is lost during menstruation. blood, while in the discharge there are usually no clots.
Fertilization preparation
However, this is not only the stage of endometrial renewal. Normally, the menstrual cycle is also the stage of maturation of the egg follicle, ovulation and subsequent proliferation of the endometrium in preparation for possible fertilization. A woman of reproductive age may experience anovulatory cycles when she remains fertile, that is, she cannot conceive. This is also considered the norm.
The menstrual cycle in girls is also individual.
First menstruation
The first menstruation begins when the girl goes through puberty. This suggests that the reproductive system of the girl is ready for the conception of a child. The first menarche can begin between 9 and 15 years old.
The completion of reproductive age occurs with the onset of menopause, when menstruation completely stops. Before this, a woman goes through a menopause that occurs after 46 years.
Cycle disruptions
The ovarian-menstrual cycle in the body of a woman depends on the state of the endocrine system. That is why the most common cause of the disorder is hormonal disorder. The failure of the menstrual cycle can occur at different levels of the body, in particular with the involvement of non-reproduction of intrasecretory glands. The following types of changes in the menstrual cycle are distinguished:
- The defeat of the main centers of neuroendocrine regulation of the reproductive system.
- Failure in the peripheral structures, that is, directly the organs of the reproductive system.
- Intra-secretory gland dysfunction.
- Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.
What is dangerous hormonal failure?
Failure at any level of the body will in any case affect the menstrual cycle. An imbalance in the level of hormones leads to pathological changes in the functioning of the ovaries, even if there are no abnormalities in their structure. As a result, there is a secretory violation of the main sex hormones, namely progesterone and estrogen. The functional layer of the uterine mucosa is the first to be hit, because it is he who is rejected when the menstrual cycle ends. Therefore, any changes in the balance of hormones cause a violation of the regularity and nature of menstrual bleeding.
Pathologies of the endocrine system
Pathology in the endocrine system of a woman is the main cause of menstrual dysfunction. Only in some exceptional situations does failure occur for non-hormonal reasons. For example, a menstrual failure can trigger significant changes in the endometrium. Sometimes it can be false amenorrhea, when the torn endometrium and blood from menstruation do not go out naturally, as vaginal atresia or infection of the hymen occurs.
When a short menstrual cycle or promenomenorrhea occurs, it is necessary to identify the most likely causes of this, since successful correction of violations can be carried out with the elimination of provoking factors.
Therefore, during the initial examination by a doctor, all information about concomitant pathologies in a woman is collected. The most common causes of cycle shortening include:
- Hormonal changes.
- Genital inflammation.
- Tumors of the ovaries and uterus.
- Abortion
- Endocrine diseases (pathologies of the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, thyroid gland).
- Chronic ailments (heart and blood vessels, liver, kidneys).
- Stress, overwork.
- Avitaminosis.
- Various injuries.
After eliminating the causes of the short cycle, the lost balance will be restored and the woman will be able to become pregnant.
Diagnostics
Menstrual irregularities in most cases have a good prognosis for recovery. This is not a change that threatens a woman’s life. However, it should be remembered that in every tenth case, such violations are caused by cancer. For this reason, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination and find the exact cause of the failure of the cycle. Such precaution will help diagnose cancer at an early stage and timely carry out the necessary treatment.
Types of Surveys
At the initial stage, the following is included in the examination:
- Gathering an anamnesis for the gynecological part, it is necessary to clarify the time of the appearance of complaints, the presence of such failures in the past, the potential connection with non-hormonal and non-gynecological factors, the age of the menarche and the likelihood of conception. Without a doubt, the gynecologist will be interested in all the operations and pathologies transferred, the number of births and abortions, the course and outcome of pregnancies. In addition, it is necessary to inform the specialist about all the drugs that are taken at the time of the examination, as well as about contraception methods.
- Direct examination of the uterine neck and vagina by a gynecologist with the help of mirrors, as well as bimanual palpation of the pelvic organs. This examination reveals changes in the structure of the mucous membrane, such as growths, defects, color changes, deformations and swelling, varicose veins on the endometrial surface, size, position, contours and consistency of the appendages and uterus. In addition, vaginal discharge is evaluated.
- A swab from the vaginal walls, sponges of the cervical canal and urethra to check for purity and the presence of sexually transmitted infections.
- Smear for cytology. It is taken from the uterine neck, especially if foci of pathology are detected on it.
- Pregnancy check by means of rapid test or blood sampling for hCG level.
- Establishment of endocrine status. The level of the main hormones that are responsible for the functioning of the ovaries is assessed. These are progesterone, estrogen, LH and FSH, as well as prolactin. Doctors also recommend an examination of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, since a violation in these organs also adversely affects the activity of the ovaries.
- Ultrasound examination of the pelvis using abdominal and transvaginal sensors. This method will allow you to give an objective assessment of the condition of the uterus, appendages, blood vessels, parametric fiber and regional lymph nodes. If the girl is a virgin, then the examination is carried out by means of a rectal sensor. Ultrasound is considered the most accessible and informative research method to date.
- Conducting a histological examination of the material obtained by curettage of the cavity and cervix. This study is prescribed for metrorrhagia and hypermenstrual syndrome.
If abnormalities have been identified and an additional examination is necessary, then MRI, CT, PET, etc. are usually prescribed. Most often this happens if there is a suspicion of cancer. How can I adjust the duration of the menstrual cycle?
Treatment
Therapy of menstruation cycle disorders involves several basic methods:
- Stop bleeding. For this, hormonal drugs are prescribed, as well as drugs that affect blood coagulation and uterine contractions. In some cases, curettage may be required.
- Elimination of hormonal imbalance. Such treatment is also a preventative measure to avoid repeated failures. Drugs are selected individually based on the results of the examination of the patient's endocrine system.
- Making a decision on the need for surgical intervention in order to eliminate the cause of the failure or correct the anomaly. What else may be required to normalize the menstrual cycle?
- Stimulation of the development of the uterus and activation of the functioning of the ovaries. For this, physiotherapy, herbal medicine and vitamin treatment are performed.
- Treatment of disorders associated with cycle disruption. It can be anemia, mental disorders, stress, etc.
- Change in therapeutic methods in the treatment of underlying pathology. Psychotropic drugs may need to be replaced with newer and more modern analogues. However, the decision on such changes should be made by the attending physician.
- For conception, it is necessary to treat infertility through complex therapy. Surgical correction or assisted reproductive techniques may sometimes be required.
Finally
Violation of the cycle of menstruation is not a rare problem. Even modern medicine and pharmacology are not able to reduce the relevance of this problem. However, in many cases, such conditions can be corrected by normalizing the cycle. The main thing is to seek specialist help in a timely manner so as not to get complications. Going to the doctor can maintain the patient’s high quality of life and overcome infertility. And modern safe drugs in combination with physiotherapy will help with this.
Now we know what to do when the menstrual cycle is lost.