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.
The contents of this website are for information purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not rely on the information provided for medical decision making and should direct all questions regarding medical matters to their physician or other health care provider. Use of this information does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship.