How is irregular menstruation treated?

Normal menstrual cycle is 21-35 days, average 28 days, period lasts 2-7 days, average blood loss is 20-60 ml. Any discrepancy with this is menstrual irregularity, medically known as dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The folk so-called menstrual irregularities have a wide range and include, among others, uterine bleeding caused by various organic diseases or pregnancy. When a patient comes to the hospital due to various menstrual irregularities, as an obstetrician and gynecologist, a gynecological examination should be done to understand whether the bleeding comes from the uterus, combined with ultrasonography and urine pregnancy test to understand whether there are organic diseases of the uterus and ovaries and pregnancy, and as a patient to cooperate with the doctor’s arrangement to find the cause. When the irregular menstruation is found to be caused by pregnancy, the patient has to make a choice in combination with whether she is expecting a pregnancy and whether the pregnancy is normal, or to undergo fertility preservation treatment or to terminate the pregnancy. If irregular periods are found to be caused by organic diseases of the uterus or ovaries such as uterine fibroids or ovarian tumors, the decision should be made according to the specific circumstances of the disease with appropriate treatment, either surgical removal of the tumor or short-term medication. The most common type of menstrual disorder is ovulation disorder caused by various reasons, mostly manifested as prolonged menstrual cycle or variable length of menstrual period, most of the menstrual volume is basically normal, but there are also many menstrual volume increased significantly, and even anemia. For this type of ovulation disorder, both TCM and Western medicine cannot cure the menstrual disorder, which is characterized by normal menstruation when the medication is used, and a return to the original state after stopping the medication. However, if left untreated, this type of disorder can lead to a significantly higher risk of endometrial cancer than normal women. Therefore, patients are advised to apply progesterone (progesterone) or birth control pills regularly to compensate for the lack of progesterone caused by ovulation disorders, and continuous treatment is especially recommended for patients with increased menstrual flow. Ultrasonography and sex hormone measurement should be completed before treatment, and sex hormone measurement should also be done during treatment and the efficacy should be determined based on the test results. If the patient has fertility requirements, ovulation promotion treatment can be performed after short-term gynecologic endocrine therapy to help the patient achieve her desire for pregnancy. Menstrual irregularities manifested by intermenstrual bleeding or periovulatory bleeding are not uncommon. These bleeds are either related to the IUD, the presence of endometrial polyps, submucosal fibroids, or caused by fluctuations in hormone levels during ovulation. In these patients, if there are no obvious abnormalities on ultrasound, symptomatic treatment with hemostatic drugs is generally preferred. If treatment is not effective, hysteroscopy is recommended to clarify the presence of endometrial polyps, submucosal fibroids, or whether the bleeding is caused by an intrauterine device. If ultrasonography reveals abnormalities then direct hysteroscopy and treatment will be performed. Other clinical menstrual irregularities are caused by luteal atrophy or luteal insufficiency, manifested by prolonged periods or shortened menstrual cycles, and often accompanied by infertility or spontaneous abortion. If the presence of uterine fibroids and ovarian tumors is ruled out by ultrasonography, basal body temperature and progesterone measurement should be performed to clarify the diagnosis, and regular progesterone supplementation or contraceptive pills should be taken for treatment after diagnosis. Of course, some patients with ovulation only show increased menstruation for unknown reasons, but they can be treated with intrauterine devices containing highly effective progestin. Whether menstrual disorders in the strict medical sense (dysfunctional uterine bleeding) or folk so-called “menstrual disorders” are gynecological complications, which usually last for a long time and are complex. It is recommended that such patients go to a regular hospital in time to improve the relevant examination and take regular treatment, so as not to delay the disease or waste valuable time and money.