Menstrual Cycle: Physiology, Irregularities, and Management || Menstrual Cycle Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Menstrual Cycle & Its Abnormalities 

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1️⃣ What is the Menstrual Cycle?

🩸 The menstrual cycle is a natural process in females where the body prepares for pregnancy.
🩸 If pregnancy does not happen, the uterus sheds its lining, leading to menstruation (periods).
🩸 The cycle usually lasts 28 days, but it can vary between 21 to 35 days.

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2️⃣ Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

🔹 The cycle happens in 4 main phases, controlled by hormones like Estrogen, Progesterone, LH, and FSH.

1️⃣ Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5) → "The Bleeding Phase"

📌 The uterus sheds its lining → This causes bleeding (periods).
📌 Hormones (Estrogen & Progesterone) drop, leading to the start of a new cycle.
📌 Average bleeding lasts 3-7 days (varies for each person).

2️⃣ Follicular Phase (Days 1-13) → "Egg Maturation Phase"

📌 FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) helps mature an egg in the ovary.
📌 Estrogen rises → Helps build the uterine lining again for a possible pregnancy.
📌 This phase overlaps with the menstrual phase.

3️⃣ Ovulation Phase (Day 14) → "Fertile Window"

📌 A mature egg is released from the ovary → This is called ovulation.
📌 LH (Luteinizing Hormone) spikes to trigger ovulation.
📌 The best time to get pregnant (if sperm meets the egg, pregnancy happens).

4️⃣ Luteal Phase (Days 15-28) → "Hormonal Balance Phase"

📌 The ovary forms a corpus luteum, which releases Progesterone to maintain the uterus for pregnancy.
📌 If the egg is not fertilized, hormone levels drop, and the cycle restarts.

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3️⃣ Abnormalities of the Menstrual Cycle

Sometimes, periods do not follow the normal cycle. This is called menstrual abnormalities.

1️⃣ Amenorrhea (No Periods) 🚫

❌ Primary Amenorrhea: No periods by age 16.
❌ Secondary Amenorrhea: Periods stop for 3+ months (not due to pregnancy).
🔹 Causes:

• Hormonal imbalances

• Extreme weight loss

• Stress or excessive exercise

2️⃣ Oligomenorrhea (Infrequent Periods) 📉

❌ Periods occur less often (more than 35 days apart).
🔹 Causes:

• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

• Thyroid disorders

• Sudden weight changes

3️⃣ Menorrhagia (Heavy & Long Bleeding) 💧

❌ Periods last more than 7 days with excessive blood loss.
🔹 Causes:

• Fibroids or polyps in the uterus

• Hormonal imbalance

• Blood clotting disorders

4️⃣ Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods) 😣

❌ Severe cramps, back pain, nausea, or headaches before or during periods.
🔹 Causes:

• High prostaglandins (chemicals causing uterus contractions)

• Endometriosis (tissue grows outside the uterus)

5️⃣ Polymenorrhea (Frequent Periods) 🔄

❌ Periods occur too often (less than 21 days apart).
🔹 Causes:

• Perimenopause (hormonal changes before menopause)

• Stress or lifestyle changes

6️⃣ PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) 🤯

❌ Emotional & physical symptoms before periods (bloating, mood swings, fatigue, headaches).
🔹 Causes:

• Hormonal fluctuations

• Unhealthy diet & lifestyle

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4️⃣ How to Maintain a Healthy Menstrual Cycle?

✔ Eat a Nutritious Diet 🥗 (Iron, Vitamin B, Omega-3)
✔ Exercise Regularly 🏃‍♀️ (Yoga, walking, moderate workouts)
✔ Manage Stress 🧘‍♀️ (Meditation, deep breathing)
✔ Stay Hydrated 💦 (Drink 8+ glasses of water)
✔ Get Enough Sleep 😴 (7-8 hours per night)
✔ Consult a Doctor 👩‍⚕️ if irregularities persist

🩺 Diagnosis of Menstrual Disorders

• Medical History & Physical Exam
  
• Blood Tests (Hormones, Thyroid, Iron Levels)
• Ultrasound/MRI (Fibroids, Cysts, Uterine Issues)
• Endometrial Biopsy (Checking Uterine Lining)
• Blood Tests (Hormones, Thyroid, Iron Levels)
• Ultrasound/MRI (Fibroids, Cysts, Uterine Issues)
• Endometrial Biopsy (Checking Uterine Lining)

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💊 Treatment for Menstrual Disorders
✅ Lifestyle Changes
🧘 Stress management (yoga, meditation).
💊 Medications
🩹 Pain relievers (NSAIDs like ibuprofen).
🩸 Iron supplements for heavy bleeding.
🔪 Surgical Treatments (For Severe Cases)
🔥 Endometrial Ablation – Reducing heavy bleeding.
🚨 Hysterectomy – Last resort for severe fibroids/cancer.

5️⃣ Quick Summary 🌟

🔹 The menstrual cycle has 4 phases: Menstrual, Follicular, Ovulation, and Luteal.
🔹 Common menstrual disorders include missed, heavy, painful, or irregular periods.
🔹 Lifestyle changes & a healthy diet can help regulate cycles.
🔹 Seek medical advice if periods are consistently irregular or painful.

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