Irregular/Abnormal Periods
Most women have menstrual periods that last four to seven days. A woman’s period usually occurs every 28 days, but normal menstrual cycles can range from 21 days to 35 days.
Examples of menstrual problems include:
- Periods that occur less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart or missing three or more periods in a row
- Menstrual flow that is much heavier or lighter than usual or periods that last longer than seven days
- Periods that are accompanied by pain, cramping, nausea, or vomiting
- Bleeding or spotting that happens between periods, after menopause, or following sex.
What causes abnormal menstruation?
A comprehensive series of blood tests will be offered at around 12-15 weeks. We arrange a detailed ultrasound nuchal translucency scan at 12-13 weeks, combined with blood tests, which make the screening more accurate and also (anomaly scan) at around 20 weeks when the growth of the baby is usually such that a careful examination of the development of all the crucial organs can be made.
There are many causes of abnormal periods, ranging from stress to more serious underlying medical conditions:
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Examples of abnormal menstruation include the following
Amenorrhea is a condition in which a woman’s periods have stopped completely. The absence of a period for 90 days or more is considered abnormal unless a woman is pregnant, breastfeeding, or going through menopause (which generally occurs for women between ages 45 and 55). Young women who haven’t started menstruating by age 15 or 16 or within three years after their breasts begin to develop are also considered to have amenorrhea.
- Oligomenorrhea refers to periods that occur infrequently.
- Dysmenorrhea refers to painful periods and severe menstrual cramps. Some discomfort during the cycle is normal for most women.
- Abnormal uterine bleeding may apply to a variety of menstrual irregularities, including: a heavier menstrual flow; a period that lasts longer than seven days; or bleeding or spotting between periods, after sex, or after menopause.