If you've been experiencing menstrual cycle problems, such as an irregular menstrual cycle, absence of menstruation after years of regular periods or painful menstruation, you'll want to read through these descriptions to see if you need to call your physician.
Irregular Periods
Is your period suddenly lighter or shorter? Has is become unpredictable? This can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common is hormone-based birth control. Have you recently started a new birth control pill? Have you taken the birth control shot or started using the patch? All of these are known to produce lighter, irregular periods.
If you have noticed a lighter or shorter period is your new normal and you have begun a new birth control plan, enjoy it. None of these changes should be seen as a big concern to you; many women enjoy the convenience of a light period. If unpredictability is bothering you, however, talk to your doctor about trying a different form of birth control. If the unpredictability is interfering with conceiving, invest in ovulation kits to determine when you are ovulating. You may just ovulate at an unusual time in your cycle.
No Period After Years of Regular Periods
You may be experiencing early or regular menopause, depending on your age. Although the eaverage age of women entering menopause is 51, some women enter menopause as early as age 35. Most women start experiencing some sort of change in periods about 10 years before menopause hits. You may start missing periods, having irregular periods, or experiencing heavy period as a normal part of menopause. Menopause is nothing to fret over. Read up on menopause or see your doctor if your symptoms are concerning you.
Skipping a Period
Besides the obvious reason to skip a period-pregnancy-there are several reasons why women don't menstruate: extreme weight loss or malnutrition, stress, hormone-based birth control or excessive exercise. While you may not mind skipping periods, you may wish to make sure your life habits are healthy ones.
Heavy Periods
Heavy periods can be a sign of impending menopause, age or fibroids. Fibroids are growths inside your uterus that can cause painful, heavy periods and the passing of blood clots. Your doctor may be wiling to remove the fibroids surgically, which may provide you with much needed relief. You can also ask your doctor about a uterine ablation, in which the inside of your uterus is cauterized so you will no longer get a period or will only get a very light period. This option is great for women who are certain they do not want to have more children.
Painful Periods
If your periods are painful, check with your doctor to make sure you don't have endometriosis, a condition that can interfere with fertility if not treated early on.
Short, Frequent Periods
If your periods have become short and frequent, you may be seeing the effects of a new form of birth control or a change in your body cycle due to age.
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