Adolescent females and women experience vaginal bleeding because of hormonal changes, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Each woman has her own pattern of cramping, premenstrual syndrome and vaginal bleeding. This can make it difficult to know if you have an abnormal menstrual cycle or abnormal cramping.
Normal Menstrual Cycle And Cramping
An adolescent female may start menstruating between the ages of 8 years and 15 years (usually between 11 and 12), according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The typical menstrual period occurs every 28 days (but may vary from every 24 days to every 34 days) and last for approximately seven days, states Medline Plus. The ACOG advises that it may take two years before an adolescent's menstrual cycle becomes regular. To track your cycle and determine if you have a normal menstrual cycle, you should keep a detailed record, for a minimum of three months, of any bleeding (pink tinged vaginal discharge and actual bleeding) you experience and the heaviness of the bleeding. Many women experience mild to moderate cramping (controllable with over-the-counter pain medication) during the first few days of the menstrual period.
Abnormal Menstrual Cycle
Since menstrual cycles can vary so much, you should consult your gynecologist if you suspect you have an abnormal menstrual cycle. Common reasons to consult your gynecologist include not beginning menstrual periods by the age of 15 years, experiencing menstrual periods less than 21 days apart or more than 45 days apart, menstruating for more than seven days in a row, severe bleeding that requires changing your pad or tampon every 30 to 60 minutes over a three- to four-hour length of time, and missing several regular menstrual periods, according to the ACOG.
Causes Of Abnormal Menstrual Cycle
Abnormal menstrual cycles may result from various medical conditions. Medline Plus lists some of these conditions as endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids or polyps, uterine cancer, pregnancy or pregnancy complications, recent trauma or surgery to the uterus, or uterine infections. Other common causes include changes in diet, changes in exercise routine, changes in weight, changes in hormones, increased stress, travel or severe illness.
Abnormal Menstrual Cramping
When you suffer severe cramping in the lower abdomen and lower back, in addition to the sensation of pulling in the inner thighs, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness, you may be suffering from dysmenorrhea, states the ACOG. FamilyDoctor.org states you should consult your doctor if you have a new onset of extreme pain during menstruation, pain outside of the first three days of your menstruation, unusual bleeding or vaginal discharge, or pain that does not go away with over-the-counter pain medication.
Causes Of Abnormal Menstrual Cramping
Abnormal menstrual cramping may be associated with the higher production of prostaglandins (chemicals released by the body to control smooth muscle contraction) at the start of a period, states the ACOG. This is why cramps usually occur at the beginning of a period. However, the cramps could also be due to endometriosis or uterine fibroids. FamilyDoctor.org states that ovarian cysts or infections may also cause severe cramping.
