Menstrual Disorders

  Menstrual disorders are problems that affect a woman's normal menstrual cycle. They include painful cramps during menstruation, abnormally heavy bleeding, or not having any bleeding. Menstruation occurs during the years between puberty and menopause. Menstruation, also called "menses" or a "period," is the monthly flow of blood from the uterus through the cervix and out through the vagina. Menstrual disorders are common in adolescent girls. Periods can be irregular, heavy and/or painful, especially in the first few years following menarche. Serious pathology is rare; however, menstrual dysfunction can have a significant effect on daily activities and result in school absence. There are many treatment options which are safe to use in adolescents, although the evidence for their use is extrapolated from adult data. Many women suffer from menstrual disorders at some point in their lives. The average woman has between 11 and 13 periods a year, and during this ...