One of the most common conditions seen in gynecological clinics is menstrual irregularity, with nearly one-third of women seeking treatment due to abnormal uterine bleeding. The definition of menstrual irregularity has undergone multiple revisions throughout history. The Gynecological Endocrinology Group of the Chinese Medical Association's Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch, referencing the latest international guidelines, has designated abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) as the academic term for menstrual irregularity.
For women, AUB poses significant risks. It not only affects skin and appearance—such as causing hirsutism, acne, and obesity—but may also disrupt ovulation, leading to infertility. Therefore, irregular menstruation should not be tolerated and must be treated.
Specifically, menstrual irregularities carry these risks:
Causing gynecological inflammation. Menstrual irregularities often trigger conditions like menstrual arthritis, cervicitis, menstrual toothache, and menstrual asthma, posing serious threats to women's physical health.
Affecting beauty.Common symptoms like dark spots and acne often arise as the body's response to underlying physiological imbalances.
Causes headaches. Headaches are a common condition, with women experiencing them more frequently than men due to unique physiological characteristics. Epidemiological studies indicate that menstrual-related headaches account for approximately 20% of all headaches in women, highlighting another impact of irregular menstruation.
Causes hemorrhagic anemia: Irregular bleeding or prolonged heavy menstrual flow may lead to symptoms of anemia such as dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can even threaten a woman's life.
Causes Fertility Issues: Irregular menstruation is often caused by gynecological conditions, most commonly gynecological inflammation, uterine fibroids, or ovarian cysts. If left untreated, these conditions can worsen and lead to infertility.
How to Determine Irregular Menstruation
1.Cycle Length: The simplest indicator of menstrual regularity. Cycle lengths vary among women, typically ranging from 21 to 35 days, though some experience cycles as long as 40 days. Regularity is the key criterion for normality.
2. Menstrual Flow: How to assess normal flow? Individual variations exist, but a normal range is generally 20-85 milliliters per period.A normal cycle involves changing pads four to five times daily, with no more than two pads used per day. If you require three pads daily and each becomes saturated, this indicates excessive flow.
3. Duration: Menstruation typically lasts 3-7 days, with the heaviest flow occurring during the first three days before gradually decreasing until it stops.Some women experience a small amount of blood returning one or two days after menstruation ends, commonly called "recurrence of menstrual blood," which is also normal. However, periods lasting 10-20 days with persistent spotting, or extremely short periods that seem to pass in a flash, are both abnormal.Menstrual Blood Color: This is the most critical indicator among the four criteria for assessing menstrual regularity. Normal menstrual blood is dark red, viscous, and free of clots. Abnormalities include watery, pink, black, or purple blood, or blood consisting entirely of clots.
Managing Irregular Menstruation
Maintain Hygiene to Prevent Infection: For persistent menstrual irregularities,Maintain genital hygiene. Avoid sexual intercourse during menstruation. Keep warm and avoid cold exposure. Prevent overexertion. Those with heavy flow should avoid brown sugar. Avoid excessive dieting, quit smoking, and limit alcohol: Pay attention to dietary structure. Consume lean meats, whole grains, dark leafy greens, and calcium-rich foods. Avoid excessive cold foods. Maintain emotional well-being.Strengthen exercise to improve physical fitness. If symptoms persist, seek timely medical examination to identify the cause and receive targeted treatment as directed. Ensure underwear is soft, cotton, and well-ventilated. Wash and change frequently, drying underwear in sunlight.Maintain a healthy mindset for chronic menstrual irregularities. For disorders primarily caused by psychological factors, treatment focuses on psychotherapy supplemented by appropriate medication. Avoid raw, cold, or spicy foods. Drink plenty of water and maintain regular bowel movements. For chronic menstrual irregularities, those with blood heat should consume more fresh fruits and vegetables before menstruation while avoiding pungent foods like onions, garlic, leeks, and ginger that aggravate internal heat.Those with qi and blood deficiency should increase nutrient intake through foods like milk, eggs, soy milk, pork liver, spinach, pork, chicken, and lamb. Avoid raw, cold fruits and vegetables.