While every woman is different, typical menstruation occurs every 21 to 38 days and lasts for 4 to 7 days. While slight variations are normal, when erratic menstruation periods are experienced, three or more periods are missed, or if abnormal bleeding occurs, the condition is referred to as irregular menstruation.
Abnormal menstruation includes:
The following sections of this page will review the symptoms and causes along with diagnosis and treatment methods.
The most common symptoms of irregular menstruation include:
These symptoms associated with irregular menstruation may also be due to an underlying condition.
There are several causes of irregular menstruation which are primarily associated with hormone levels. There are many normal situations that may cause hormone levels to fluctuate causing disruption of the menstrual cycle. These situations include:
In these situations there is no cause for alarm. However, in the case of persistent variability, irregular menstruation may be a sign of an underlying condition. In these situations, the endocrinological expertise of the Rocky Mountain Diabetes Center physicians becomes invaluable to the diagnosis and treatment.
Some of these underlying conditions include:
Because estrogen, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone are the main hormones regulating the menstrual cycle, our endocrinologists can ascertain the cause of irregular menstruation and proscribe proper treatment.
While many irregular menstruation circumstances are normal, there are a few common risk factors that contribute to more frequent irregularities in menstruation. These include:
Understanding these risk factors will provide insight into prevention and treatment plans.
The most common way to diagnose irregular menstruation is through a physical examination including a pelvic exam and a Pap test and a review of your medical history including a menstrual cycle review. Additionally, blood tests and vaginal cultures may also be ordered.
Our providers will review your entire health history and results of laboratory tests to accurately diagnose the cause of irregular menstruation.
Once the cause of irregular menstruation has been determined, the healthcare provider will prescribe appropriate treatment to restore the balance of hormones. Treatments may include:
The doctors at Rocky Mountain Diabetes Center are endocrinology experts and highly trained to identify and effectively treat irregular menstruation.
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the symptoms or conditions above, call Rocky Mountain Diabetes for an appointment, or fill out the form below.