Signs of menstrual disorders

A woman's menstrual cycle affects many systems in her body. For this reason, disorders of menstruation can have far-reaching effects. If you think behaviors may be related to menstrual cycle, it helps to track them by writing them down on a calendar over a two-month time span.

Behaviors that appear shortly before, during, or shortly after menstruation may communicate about menstrual disorders:

• Watch for behaviors that:
  • Start within two weeks of menstruation, and improve once it has begun
  • Change in the middle of the menstrual cycle
  • Improve after menopause
• Sleep problems, fatigue
• Irritability, anxiety, depression, rapid changes in emotions
• Change in bowel habits: constipation, diarrhea, more frequent urination
• Improvement if person takes ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)

Other factors that may indicate the presence of a menstrual disorder:

• Family history of menstrual disorders, endometriosis
• Heavy bleeding, blood clots, pain during periods
• Spotting or light bleeding between periods
• Nausea or vomiting
• Menstrual periods that:
• Come too often (more than once a month)
• Last too long (more than 8-10 days)
• Don't come often enough (no period for more than 3 months)

Do you think someone's behavior may be telling you about a menstrual disorder? Talk with your doctor or other health care provider. They can work with you to learn whether this is the case.