Health Indicators During the Menstrual Period

What does menstruation say about your health?

From the first menstruation, known as menarche, until menopause, women should keep track of their menstrual cycles in order to evaluate the health of their reproductive system. From duration to quantity and appearance, here are some notions about menstrual bleeding that are worth considering to know when to consult a gynecologist.

By definition, the first day of menstrual bleeding is considered the first day of the menstrual cycle.

The duration of the menstrual cycle is the number of days between the first day of bleeding in one menstrual cycle and the first day of bleeding in the next menstrual cycle.

What is the duration of the menstrual cycle?

The normal duration of menstruation is considered to be between 2-3 and 6-8 days.

Physiological menstruation occurs as a result of the inability of an ovum to be fertilized for pregnancy.

A longer duration of the menstrual cycle is called menorrhagia

This is a reason to consult a specialist. The causes can be numerous. Among them, we can mention:

• Uterine causes, such as tumors (fibroids, polyps), endometrial hyperplasia, irregular shedding of the endometrium as a result of ovarian dysfunction;

• General causes that affect blood clotting: quantitative or qualitative disorders of platelets and/or coagulation factors.

Polymenorrhea

Polymenorrhea is defined as the shortening of menstrual cycles to less than 21 days (very short cycles of 17-21 days) with a normal, prolonged, or heavy menstrual flow. This condition can be caused by ovarian congestion resulting from annexes, pelvic inflammation, ovarian endometriosis, etc.

Oligomenorrhea

Prolonging the intermenstrual period leads to a smaller number of cycles over time, a phenomenon known as oligomenorrhea. The most severe form, spaniomenorrhea, is characterized by menstruation occurring at intervals of 3-4 months.

Appearance

The appearance of menstrual blood is another factor to be evaluated when assessing normal menstruation.

In general, red blood with clots and brownish discharge should not be a cause for concern.

This appearance may vary from woman to woman. On the other hand, reddish-brown blood with an unpleasant odor may be a sign of a vaginal infection.

Bleeding that occurs between two menstrual periods is a warning sign that may originate from the cervix, vagina (trauma with a foreign body), or uterus, known as metrorrhagia.

On the other hand, brownish discharge during ovulation accompanied by pelvic-abdominal pain is not a cause for concern, as it is a physiological manifestation.

Therefore, paying closer attention to menstrual bleeding can help you prevent or identify a health issue at an early stage, which can be easier to treat if discovered in time.