Menstrual Concerns
Menstruation is a natural process that occurs in the reproductive years of a woman’s life. While it is a normal biological process, some women may experience various menstrual concerns that impact their well-being and quality of life. Through active listening, extensive knowledge, and deep empathy, our team at The Butterfly Clinic provides comprehensive menstrual care to foster the wellness of women.
Menorrhagia
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Typical symptoms of irregular menstrual cycles include the following:
- Menstrual cycles that are consistently shorter or longer than the average 28-day cycle
- Skipped or missed periods, where menstruation does not occur for several months
- Unpredictable or inconsistent bleeding patterns, such as spotting between periods or heavy, prolonged periods
- Drastic changes in the amount of blood flow or duration of menstrual bleeding
These conditions can be caused by hormonal imbalances, stress, weight changes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or certain medications.
Your healthcare provider can guide you as to treatment options for your specific case. Such may include:
- Hormonal medications: If hormonal imbalances are the underlying cause of irregular cycles, hormonal treatments may be prescribed. This can include oral contraceptives, hormonal patches, or hormonal intrauterine devices. These medications can help regulate hormone levels and establish a more regular menstrual cycle.
- Lifestyle modifications: Certain lifestyle changes may help regulate menstrual cycles. These can include maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress levels, getting regular exercise, and practicing relaxation techniques.
- Treatment of underlying conditions: Irregular menstrual cycles can be a symptom of underlying medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or uterine abnormalities. Treating these conditions can help regulate the menstrual cycle.
- Fertility medications: In cases where irregular cycles are associated with difficulties in conceiving, fertility medications may be prescribed to induce ovulation and regulate the menstrual cycle.
Amenorrhea
Absent or Missed Menstruation
Absent or missed menstruation, also known as amenorrhea, refers to the absence of menstrual bleeding in women who are of reproductive age and are not pregnant. It can be categorised into two types: primary amenorrhea, where one does not start menstruating by the age of 16, and secondary amenorrhea, where an individual who previously had regular periods stops menstruating for three or more months.
Symptoms can include:
- No menstrual bleeding for an extended period (three or more consecutive months in the case of secondary amenorrhea).
- Absence of other menstrual symptoms, such as breast tenderness or bloating, that typically accompany menstruation.
- Changes in hormone levels that may cause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or changes in mood.
The most common cause of missed menstruation is pregnancy. It is important to rule out pregnancy if periods are missed or absent. If a woman is not pregnant and is experiencing amenorrhea, this may be a result of hormonal imbalances, excessive exercise or weight loss, stress, or medical conditions such as premature ovarian failure, hypothalamic dysfunction, or pituitary disorders.
Your healthcare provider can guide you as to treatment options for your specific case. Such may include:
- Hormonal medications: If hormonal imbalances are the underlying cause of irregular cycles, hormonal treatments may be prescribed. This can include oral contraceptives, hormonal patches, or hormonal intrauterine devices. These medications can help regulate hormone levels and establish a more regular menstrual cycle.
- Lifestyle modifications: Certain lifestyle changes may help regulate menstrual cycles. These can include maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress levels, getting regular exercise, and practicing relaxation techniques.
- Treatment of underlying conditions: Irregular menstrual cycles can be a symptom of underlying medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or uterine abnormalities. Treating these conditions can help regulate the menstrual cycle.
- Fertility medications: In cases where irregular cycles are associated with difficulties in conceiving, fertility medications may be prescribed to induce ovulation and regulate the menstrual cycle.
PMS
Premenstrual Syndrome
PMS refers to a combination of physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms that occur in the days leading up to menstruation.
Physical symptoms include breast tenderness, bloating, weight gain, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain. Emotional and mood-related symptoms include mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, increased sensitivity, and difficulty concentrating. Changes in appetite, food cravings (particularly for sweet or salty foods), sleep disturbances, and social withdrawal are among behavioural symptoms.
While the exact cause of PMS is not fully understood, hormonal fluctuations and neurotransmitter changes are believed to contribute to PMS symptoms.
Treatment options offered by The Butterfly Clinic for PMS include the following:
- Lifestyle modifications: Regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and adequate sleep can promote overall well-being and reduce the severity of symptoms.
- Stress management: Engaging in stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques can help manage emotional symptoms associated with PMS.
- Dietary adjustments: Limiting or avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and salty foods may help reduce fluid retention and bloating. Increasing calcium intake through dietary sources or supplements may also have a positive impact on PMS symptoms.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help alleviate physical symptoms. In more severe cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to help regulate mood.
- Hormonal contraceptives: Birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptive methods may be prescribed to help regulate hormone levels and alleviate PMS symptoms.
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