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Oligomenorrhea

Condition Overview:

The term menstrual disorders refers to any of a number of conditions that are related to the menstrual cycle. Menstruation is the shedding of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) each month, also referred to as the menstrual period. Menstrual periods usually last for five to seven days. Oligomenorrhea is the term used to describe infrequent or very light menstruation in a woman with previously normal periods.Any woman with regularly established periods can develop oligomenorrhea.

Oligomenorrhea usually occurs in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a condition in which the ovaries become filled with small cysts. Women with PCOS have slightly higher levels of male hormones, called androgens, which causes oligomenorrhea. Oligomenorrhea can also be caused by emotional and physical stress, chronic illnesses, tumors that secrete estrogen, poor nutrition, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Serious female athletes often develop oligomenorrhea because of their strict diets and intense physical activity. Female athletes who use anabolic steroid drugs to enhance their performance are also at risk of developing oligomenorrhea, as well as many other health problems. Oligomenorrhea can be caused by a hormonal imbalance. The start of menstruation during puberty and the length and regularity of the menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones produced in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, as well as by the pituitary and adrenal glands. In is very common and normal for the hormone messages sent by these glands to be out of synch in teenagers who have just begun getting their periods. The symptoms of oligomenorrhea include menstrual periods that occur at intervals of greater than 35 days, with only four to nine periods in a year. Some women with oligomenorrhea may have difficulty becoming pregnant. If low estrogen levels are contributing to the problem, the woman may be at risk for bone loss, called osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Women who do not have regular periods also have a higher risk of developing uterinecancer.

To diagnose oligomenorrhea, your doctor will take a complete medical history and will perform a physical examination, including a pelvic, or internal, exam.

It is quite common for women at thebeginning and end of their reproductive lives to miss or have irregular periods.