By admin Media Health Group is so focused on adjusting intricate health facts to comprehensible, empathetic and active information. We are strong believers that every single individual has the right to comprehend how their well being operates starting from the patterns in their cycle to severe conditions just to help them make better decisions and live a stress free life.
Oligomenorrhea, which is defined as menstrual cycles that stay longer for a duration or more than 35 days or less than 9 periods every year, has a huge impact on about 12 to 15% of the female gender all over the world. Though it is normal to have an irregular menstrual cycle, most times it might be a sign of something more serious. Oligomenorrhea might indicate hormonal imbalances like thyroid problems, PCOS, or even hypothalamic dysfunction that is caused by too much stress. It is known to affect density of the bone, fertility, and emotional health. But by comprehending how the issue works, it can provide proper understanding and ways to control it in a proper way.
In the course of this article, we are going to give six important facts about oligomenorrhea and provide ways to properly control or manage it.
Based on research, oligomenorrhea has been repeatedly known to have an impact on 12 to 15% of females that are at the age of reproduction. Further Chinese research that had almost 13,000 women showed that there was a 12.2% high rate of infertility in the women that were affected. Based on sports, the rates in athletes, specifically those that participate in dance or gymnastics can go as high as 40 to 60%. Once you are informed that oligomenorrhea is a normal condition, that can help to erase the stigma and also encourage going for medical check up when you’re having irregular cycles.
The main cause of oligomenorrhea is mostly hormonal imbalance that is found in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Some major causes can be:
- Some ailments like hyperprolactinemia, adenomas, thyroid disorders, or early ovarian failure.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Oligomenorrhea mostly affects about 75 to 85% of women that have PCOS.
- Stress driven hypothalamic amenorrhea. It can also be caused by too much exercise or sudden weight loss.
Also, it has been found that there are connections to things like acne, high testosterone, obesity and high estrogen. Due to the number of causes, it is important to find out what might really be causing it in order to get treated properly.
Having oligomenorrhea doesn’t just mean skipping your menstrual cycle. It can mean something much deeper like:
- Fertility: It is very popular to have a lack of ovulation which is also known as anovulation. Previous studies have highlighted women that are affected are prone to experience infertility.
- Bone density: Having irregular menstrual cycles might indicate low estrogen, which is important for keeping your bones strong. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, is particularly connected to bone mineral density that is lower and greater fracture problems. It is not enough to have regular cycles, your skeletal muscle can still be affected by low estrogen.
These above might give more insight on why oligomenorrhea requires early checkup.
Monitoring your cycle isn’t the only way to properly diagnose oligomenorrhea. Here are some other ways:
- Conducting blood tests to look for LH, androgens, prolactin, FSH, and thyroid hormones.
- A proper history with details of your period and monitoring of cycles to help know how patterns work.
- Evaluation of the bone density mainly for people that are usually at risk like amenorrheic women or athletes.
- Carrying out of pelvic ultrasound to discover potential PCOS or tumors in the ovary.
A detailed checkup will aid in finding the particular treatment for a particular cause.
Methods of treating oligomenorrhea is different based on what caused it:
- Hormonal therapy which includes mixing contraceptives for estrogen-progestin in order to help balance cycles and reduce the effects of androgen.
- Lifestyle activities such as exercise, weight loss, and changes from sensitivity to insulin by metformin.
- It is usually controlled by using medications specifically for thyroid disease or pituitary adenoma but in moderate amounts.
- By taking steps such as proper nutritious diet, increasing energy, lowering stress and exercise in moderation.
- Though hormone therapy is not the main treatment, it is necessary for protecting the bone.
- When there is a situation of fertility being delayed, taking agents such as letrozole or clomiphene.
If the condition is being looked into, there is usually an improvement in fertility and normal cycles by a few months.
Menstruation can be affected by some habits that you have, which includes:
- Stress and sleep patterns: Having bad sleep habits and stressing too much can cause irregular menstrual cycles.
- Weight and nutrition: Your cycle can be affected by your weight gain or loss. Also by your intake.
- Stop smoking and drinking: Severe cases like irregular menstrual cycles might be caused by smoking or drinking too much.
- Exercise: It is advisable to balance your exercise routine. Too much exercise can stop your ovulation.
Q1: When is oligomenorrhea a cause for worry?
When you have a continuous situation where your cycle is past 35 days or happens less than 9 times per year, or even bone defects or issues with fertility, then you should reach out to your doctor.
Q2: Can athletes change it?
Yes. Cycles can be gotten back by having a balanced diet, managing stress and stable training if you are an athlete in fields like cycling or gymnastics.
Q3: Are hormonal contraceptives the sole solution to oligomenorrhea?
Not really. If you are trying to balance your cycle, birth control is essential but it is equally important to adjust your lifestyle and treat any underlying illness.
Q4: Does menstrual irregularity constantly affect fertility?
Not every time but it happens sometimes. In order to help your fertility despite cycles staying for longer, it is best to go for therapy and ovulatory support.
Q5: Can cycles get normal without treatment?
Yes. You can get your period back to normal in a few months if you make changes particularly if it is caused by lifestyle activities.
Oligomenorrhea shouldn’t be seen as just a case of a skipped period. It might also be a way to see how your bone health, hormonal balance, and overall reproductive health is. 15% of women get to have it at some point in time. It is important to comprehend how it works and make better choices.
Media Health Group is concerned with giving the best and research backed health knowledge to enable you manage symptoms and love a better life. You are not alone if you are experiencing irregular cycles.