8 Types of Abnormal Menstruation You Should Know About

Once you hit puberty, your menstrual cycles begin. Every month your body gets rid of the uterine lining that forms inside your uterus if pregnancy does not occur. Menstrual cycles vary a lot and can be different for every girl or woman in her reproductive years. Some have normal or regular menstrual cycles, while others deal with abnormal menstruation.

It is important to know what’s normal and what’s not so that you can reach out to a doctor or gynaecologist to identify any issue and receive appropriate treatment. In this blog post, you will get to know the 8 types of abnormal menstruation and how each one can manifest in a woman’s body.

Abnormal Menstruation: What Does It Mean?

When we say the word ‘abnormal,’ it simply means something is not normal. Normal menstruation means:

• Getting your period every month
• Your menstrual cycle is around 28 days (or anywhere between 21 and 35 days).
• Your menstrual bleeding is normal (neither too little nor too much).
• Your period pain is manageable and does not disrupt daily activities.
• Your period lasts for 3-7 days.
• There is no spotting or bleeding between periods.
• You do not have severe symptoms like extreme fatigue or severe mood swings.

Any deviation from what encompasses normal menstruation falls under the category of abnormal menstruation. These abnormalities are often caused due to hormonal imbalances in the body or due to underlying conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.

8 Types of Abnormal Menstruation: A Closer Look

Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful periods. Many girls and women experience severe abdominal pain and discomfort during periods, hindering their ability to carry out daily activities. The pain often radiates to the lower back and thighs, causing discomfort there as well.

Painful periods are a result of menstrual cramps that originate in the uterus to facilitate the shedding of the uterine lining. The cramps can be moderate to severe, leading to pain. Females with dysmenorrhea often have to resort to pain medications for relief.

Dysmenorrhea is of two types – primary and secondary. Those with primary dysmenorrhea do not have any underlying condition, whereas secondary dysmenorrhea is a result of an underlying condition like endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is characterised by the absence of periods. When a female does not get a period until 16 years of age, she is said to have primary amenorrhea. It can occur due to hormonal imbalances caused by low body weight, excessive exercise, or certain medications. Then there are other reasons, like genetic abnormalities or a delay in the maturation of the pituitary gland.

Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of periods for three months or more in females who previously got their periods. Causes include stress, weight loss, too much exercise, and other health conditions such as thyroid issues.

Amenorrhea also affects pregnant and menopausal women who experience no periods during pregnancy months and after they have hit menopause.

Polymenorrhea

Polymenorrhea is another type of abnormal menstruation when the female experiences frequent menstruation. Though typical menstrual cycles can last anywhere between 21 and 35 days, those with polymenorrhea have shorter menstrual cycles, which means they get periods more often. For some, periods can occur twice a month. However, the flow lasts for typical days (3-7 days) and is normal. 

Polymenorrhea can be a result of hormonal abnormalities or other medical conditions. The condition is more common in girls who have recently hit puberty and women who are about to reach menopause.

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia includes heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Women who have heavy periods need to change sanitary pads very frequently during the day. They often need to use extra protection to avoid leakage and staining. Periods may be extended for more than seven days in the case of menorrhagia. It can also be accompanied by dysmenorrhea or painful periods.

The condition significantly disrupts the quality of life of those suffering from it. Besides hormonal imbalance, heavy menstrual bleeding is also caused by ectopic pregnancy, pelvic infections, tumours, and more. When left untreated, menorrhagia can make you feel very tired and lead to anaemia due to excessive loss of blood.

Hypomenorrhea

Next is hypomenorrhea, meaning very light periods. Girls and women with hypomenorrhea experience scanty bleeding, and their periods often last less than 2 days. This menstrual disorder can affect women with low body fat as well as those who are obese. It is also commonly observed in women who use oral contraceptives or intrauterine devices. Other reasons for light periods include stress, breastfeeding, and genetics, among others.

Metrorrhagia

Metrorrhagia is irregular menstrual bleeding, especially between cycles. The bleeding or spotting is unexpected and can happen at any time between your periods. It is usually pink or brown in colour. Young girls whose periods have just started may experience metrorrhagia along with young women during the time of ovulation.

It may also happen in women who have just begun or stopped using birth control pills until their body gets used to change.

Oligomenorrhea

In this menstrual disorder, the gap between menstrual cycles is more than 35 days. For this reason, women may experience less than eight cycles in one year. It is usually observed in adolescent females and those reaching menopause. Some causes of oligomenorrhea are pituitary and ovarian dysfunction along with PCOS, pelvic inflammatory diseases, eating disorders, and more.

Postmenopausal Bleeding

PMB, or post-menopausal bleeding, is any vaginal bleeding happening after menopause. A woman is said to have attained menopause when she does not get periods for 12 months at a stretch. Any bleeding after menopause is abnormal and must be examined by a doctor.

Thinning of the vaginal or uterine lining, fibroids in the uterus, and endometrial polyps are some of the reasons behind PMB. Drugs like blood thinners can also encourage vaginal bleeding as a side effect. If you notice vaginal bleeding months after menopause, see your doctor for an evaluation.

What to Do If You Have Abnormal Menstruation?

If you are someone who experiences one of the 8 types of abnormal menstruation, you must see a doctor so they can evaluate and treat your condition. Before coming to any conclusion and offering treatment, your doctor will want to make a diagnosis. 

You can expect them to ask you about your menstrual cycle and health conditions, if you have any. You may then receive a physical exam, with or without a pelvic exam. Your doctor may also order other tests as needed. These include:

• Blood tests
• Ultrasound
• Hysteroscopy
• Endometrial biopsy

Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will then proceed with treatment. The option chosen will depend on the type of disorder you are dealing with, its severity, and any underlying issue causing the problem. 

Typical treatment includes use of hormonal therapy to correct the imbalance or use of minimally invasive procedures to treat underlying problems. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Tips to Promote a Normal Menstrual Cycle

Here are some simple tips to help reset your body and encourage a normal menstrual cycle:

Watch out your diet: Eat foods rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins. Don’t go in excess with caffeinated drinks and alcohol, as they can alter hormonal balance in your body.

Don’t miss your exercise: Regular exercise is known to promote regular periods. Try gentle exercises like walking if you are just beginning, and later move to harder ones once you gain the stamina to try them out.

Sleep well: Poor sleep timing and quality can lead to hormonal imbalances. So, make sure to sleep on time and get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every day.

Keep yourself calm and relaxed: Practice relaxation techniques and deep breathing to reduce stress levels in your mind and body.

Watch your weight: Many types of abnormal menstruation are caused due to low or excess body weight. Therefore, it is important to remain in a healthy weight range to lower the chances of abnormality due to poor weight management.

Summing Up

Menstrual cycles vary greatly among the female population. What is typical for one may not be for another. Therefore, one must know what is considered as normal menstruation and how it is different from the 8 types of abnormal menstruation. 

If you think you are dealing with one of the types of abnormal menstruation mentioned above, make an appointment with your doctor or gynaecologist for an immediate evaluation. Once identified correctly, your doctor’s treatment will surely provide you with the relief you have been hoping for!

FAQs

Is it okay to have abnormal periods?

Observing irregularities when you first start your period is usually okay. However, if your periods are causing you discomfort or they have appeared later in life, you must visit your doctor.

What are the 8 types of abnormal menstruation?

The 8 common types of abnormal menstruation are:

• Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation
• Oligomenorrhea: Infrequent periods
• Polymenorrhea: Frequent periods
• Menorrhagia: Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Hypomenorrhea: Very light periods
• Metrorrhagia: Bleeding between periods
• Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods
• Postmenopausal Bleeding: Bleeding after menopause

How many pads per day is considered normal?

Though it can vary from one person to another, women, on average, use 3-6 pads/tampons per day.

Can abnormal menstruation affect fertility?

Yes, some types of abnormal menstruation, such as amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, can impact ovulation and reduce fertility. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of conception.

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