Polymenorrhea
More frequent menstruation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Polymenorrhea, also known as frequent periods, frequent menstruation, or frequent menstrual bleeding, is a menstrual disorder in which menstrual cycles are shorter than 21 days in length and hence where menstruation occurs more frequently than usual.[1][2][3] Cycles are regular and menstrual flow is normal in the condition.[3] Normally, menstrual cycles are 25 to 30 days in length, with a median duration of 28 days.[2]
| Polymenorrhea | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Polymenorrhoea; Polymenorrhœa; Frequent periods; Frequent menstrual bleeding; Frequent menstruation; Epimenorrhea; Epimenorrhoea; Epimenorrhœa; Abnormally frequent menstruation; Unusually frequent menses |
| Specialty | Gynecology |
| Symptoms | Short menstrual cycles (<21 days) that are otherwise regular and normal |
| Complications | Anemia; Iron deficiency; Endometrial cancer (when related to inadequate luteal phase) |
| Causes | Anovulation; Inadequate/short luteal phase; Short follicular phase; Certain endocrine disorders; Puberty/adolescence; Perimenopause |
| Differential diagnosis | Metrorrhagia (intermenstrual bleeding) |
| Treatment | Hormonal agents |
| Medication | Progestogen during luteal phase; Combined oral contraceptive pill |
| Prognosis | Usually transient and self-limited |
Polymenorrhea is usually caused by anovulation (failure to ovulate), an inadequate or short luteal phase, and/or a short follicular phase.[4][3][5] Polymenorrhea is common in puberty and adolescence due to the immaturity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG axis).[4] Shorter menstrual cycles are also common in the early perimenopause (menopausal transition), during which time the lengths of menstrual cycles may be reduced by 3 to 7 days secondary to a shorter follicular phase.[6][7] Certain endocrine disorders, such as hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and acromegaly, can cause polymenorrhea.[8][9][additional citation(s) needed] While not a classical symptom, polymenorrhea can occur as a result of uterine fibroids.[10] Polymenorrhea may result in anemia and iron deficiency due to blood loss.[4] In addition, when it is due to an inadequate luteal phase and hence progesterone deficiency, polymenorrhea may be related to an increased risk of endometrial cancer.[11]
Polymenorrhea is usually transient and self-limited, thereby not necessitating treatment.[4] If it persists, is disturbing, or if there is considerable blood loss due to the frequent periods, treatment may be indicated.[4] The mainstays of treatment are a progestogen during the luteal phase of the cycle or a combined oral contraceptive pill.[4]
Polymenorrhea is sometimes confused with metrorrhagia (menstrual bleeding between periods).[3] It can be distinguished from metrorrhagia by its regularity.[3] Polymenorrhea can be contrasted with oligomenorrhea, in which menstrual cycles are greater than 35 or 37 days in length.[3][12] The condition can also be distinguished from polymenorrhagia, which is a combination of polymenorrhea and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding).[1]