Menorrhea is the normal flow of blood from the uterus during a woman’s reproductive years. It occurs at regular intervals and can vary in length and intensity. Dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia are common problems, while amenorrhea is the absence of any menstrual bleeding.
Menorrhea is the normal flow of blood from the uterus that women typically experience during their reproductive years. It can also be known as menstrual flow or menstrual period. Menorrhea typically occurs at regular intervals about once a month, although each woman’s cycle can vary. There are also several syndromes that can cause changes in a woman’s menorrhaea.
A woman’s first menorrhea is typically known as menarche. It usually begins around age 12, although it can occur a few years earlier or later. Menarche is generally considered to be the beginning of a woman’s reproductive years.
During her reproductive years, a woman’s fertility cycle begins with a period of rising estrogen, which helps build the lining of the uterus to prepare for a possible pregnancy. At peak estrogen levels, an egg is released from the ovaries and travels down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. If the egg is fertilized by a sperm, it usually implants itself in the lining of the uterus and a pregnancy occurs. In cases where a woman does not become pregnant during that cycle, her estrogen levels will decrease in approximately 12 to 16 days, at the end of which the uterine lining will be expelled through the vagina in the process of menorrhea.
Each period of menorrhea can vary in length and intensity. In general, menstrual bleeding lasts two to seven days and occurs every 21 to 45 days during a woman’s reproductive years, but it can vary from cycle to cycle and from woman to woman. A woman may have cycles that include light, moderate, and/or heavy bleeding, although total blood loss is usually only about 1 to 1.5 ounces (about 29.6 to 44.4 mL).
Several problems can occur with menorrhea. A common problem, especially in young women, is dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea refers to menstrual periods that are unusually uncomfortable, often including cramping in the lower stomach or back. It is often due to high levels of hormones called prostaglandins, which cause the uterus to contract to help push blood out. In some cases, it can also be caused by problems in the reproductive tract, such as fibroids or endometriosis.
Another problem that sometimes occurs is menorrhagia. This is severe blood loss of more than about 2.75 ounces (about 81.3 mL) in a single menstrual cycle. It is much less common than dysmenorrhea, but is often associated with similar painful cramps. Causes of menorrhagia can include hormonal imbalances and fibroids in the uterus.
Unlike painful or excessive menorrhea, amenorrhea is the absence of any menstrual bleeding. A woman is considered to have amenorrhea if she does not begin menarche between the ages of 15 and 16, or if she goes three or more months without menstrual bleeding. This condition can be caused by many factors, including exercising too much, eating too little, taking certain medications, and experiencing high levels of stress.
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