“Irregular menstruation” is a Chinese medicine diagnosis, which corresponds to the Western medicine diagnosis of “irregular vaginal bleeding” or “abnormal vaginal bleeding”, including heavy menstruation, light menstruation and menstrual cycle The diagnosis in Western medicine is “irregular vaginal bleeding” or “abnormal vaginal bleeding”, which includes heavy menstruation, light menstruation and menstrual cycle disorders. Since the amount of menstruation is a subjective factor, but the accuracy of the menstrual cycle can be objectively evaluated, today we will mainly talk about the most troubling aspect of menstrual disorders ~ menstrual cycle disorders. What is a normal menstrual cycle? A woman’s menstrual cycle starts from the first day of her period and ends on the first day of her next period, usually at an interval of about 28 days, with an early or late interval of 7 days or less being normal. For the same person, it is normal for the menstrual interval to vary by a few days from month to month. What are the signs of menstrual cycle disorders? Frequent menstruation: If the menstrual cycle is shorter than 21 days, it is called frequent menstruation Sporadic menstruation: If the menstrual cycle is more than 35 days, or even once every few months, it is called sporadic menstruation Irregular vaginal bleeding: Vaginal bleeding is not regular and may occur between periods, or it may be leaking without any time interval. It can occur once every few months or several times a month. Age is an important factor in determining menstrual disorders. Adolescents: In adolescent women, menstrual irregularities are common due to the imperfect development of the reproductive and nervous systems. Many menstrual disorders in adolescents can automatically turn into regular menstruation as they get older. Women of childbearing age: Irregular vaginal bleeding in women of childbearing age should first be ruled out as a possibility of pregnancy. Many miscarriages are characterized by “heavy menstrual flow”, “prolonged menstrual periods” and “menstrual cycle disorders”. After pregnancy is ruled out, endocrine dysfunction, ovulation abnormalities, tumors, and oral medications, especially birth control pills, are also causes of menstrual disorders in this age group. Perimenopausal women: Menstrual bleeding in this age group is mostly associated with ovarian failure to ovulate and egg depletion, called “anovulatory dysfunction”. In addition, tumors (uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer) may also cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Post-menopause: It is said that menopause should not be followed by menstruation. However, some post-menopausal women may find that they are suddenly “menstruating” again. This is not a good thing and does not indicate a “return to life”. The common causes of postmenopausal vaginal bleeding are age-related vaginitis and tumors. The following diagram shows how menstruation is formed and controlled: As you can see, menstruation is not only a matter of “bleeding”, it is related to the brain and the uterus. Any problem in any of these areas can cause “menstrual disorders”. Here are some points that Dr. PP would like to remind you: whenever a woman with childbearing potential experiences vaginal bleeding, she should consider the possibility of pregnancy. It is not impossible for women in their late teens and early fifties to become pregnant. Many patients mistakenly believe that “menstrual disorders” are due to “endocrine disorders” and some doctors misuse the diagnosis of “dysfunctional uterine bleeding (gonorrhea)”. In fact, although menses is a common cause of menstrual disorders, pathological causes of bleeding, such as tumors, must be excluded first. Menstrual disorders are sometimes not only obstetric and gynecological problems, but also a manifestation of systemic diseases. Therefore, when menstrual disorders occur, it is important to pay attention to any bleeding from other parts of the body (nose bleeding, gum bleeding, blood in the stool, etc.). If there is a combination of bleeding from other parts of the body, consider hematologic disorders.