Adolescence is the time when there is sudden
transformation in the body and many questions arises in
the minds of the adolescents. Firstly they are not able
to cope with the changes and secondly the changes bring
along problems with them. The most challenging problems
are related to menses, in girls. Menstrual conditions
are many that may require physician’s attention or any
other healthcare professional’s attention. The most
common of the menstrual disorders are premenstrual
syndrome, dysmenorrheal and amenorrhea.
Before the onset of the menses, females face many
uncomfortable symptoms which last for a short period,
stretching from few hours to few days. But some of them
can be very intense and can disturb the normal
functioning of the person. These symptoms are grouped as
premenstrual syndrome. In usual cases, the symptoms come
to a halt when the menses begin, but for some they may
last even after the menstrual periods are over. Eighty
five percent of the females experience some of the
symptoms of premenstrual syndrome at one time or the
other. Nearly forty percent experience the symptoms so
intensely that their daily chores are affected by it and
ten percent are disabled by it.
There are many premenstrual syndrome symptoms which can
be broadly classified as neurologic & vascular symptoms,
psychological symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, fluid
retention, eye problems and respiratory problems. The
cause of premenstrual syndrome are fluctuations in the
levels of progesterone & estrogen, hypoglycemia,
hyperprolactinemia, psychogenic factors, changes in
carbohydrate metabolism, excessive aldosterone,
progesterone allergy and water retention by kidneys. The
good thing is that premenstrual syndrome can be
prevented by exercising regularly, eating balanced diet
and sleeping adequately.
Dysmenorrhea is feeling intense menstrual pain and
cramps. Depending on the severity, dysmenorrhea is
stated as primary dysmenorrhea or secondary dysmenorrhea.
Primary dysmenorrhea symptoms are felt from the onset of
the menstrual periods and are felt life-long. Because of
abnormal uterine contractions due to chemical imbalance,
severe menstrual cramping is experienced. Secondary
dysmenorrhea starts in the later stages. The causes are
different for primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.
Secondary dysmenorrhea can be blamed on medical
conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids,
pelvic inflammatory disease, tumors, infections, and
abnormal pregnancy.
Dysmenorrhea symptoms are lower abdomen cramping & pain,
lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue,
fainting, weakness and headaches. Females who are
overweight, smoke, and have started to menstruate before
turning eleven are at a higher risk of developing
dysmenorrheal. Females who drink alcohol during
menstrual period experience prolonged pain. After
studying the health conditions, age, cause of
dysmenorrhea, and extent of condition of the individual,
corresponding treatment will be recommended. Regular
exercise, abdominal massage, hot bath, vitamin
supplements, and dietary modifications can help overcome
dysmenorrhea.
Amenorrhea is the condition in which the female skips
her menses for more than three consecutive menstrual
cycles. Amenorrhea is also classified as primary
amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea
develops from the onset of menstrual periods. In this
condition, the adolescent might not get periods when she
enters puberty. Secondary amenorrhea is a condition
where periods become irregular after a period of time
and not from the start.
There are many causes of amenorrhea such as ovulation
abnormality, eating disorders, birth defects, anatomical
abnormalities, malnourishment, anorexia, bulimia,
pregnancy, over exercising, thyroid disorder, obesity
and other medical conditions. Out of these ovulation
abnormalities are a common cause for absent or irregular
periods. It is a must that an adolescent start getting
menses at least by the age of sixteen. If not,
anatomical abnormality, birth defect and other medical
conditions are the cause. Adolescents who participate in
sports actively and are athletic have a lower body fat
content because of which they have absent menses. Even
because of malnourishment, the body is incapable of
sustaining pregnancy. So in turn the body itself shuts
down the reproductive system and menses. Extra fat cells
in the body interfere with ovulation and that is the
reason why obese female have irregular menses.
Amenorrhea is treated by dietary modifications,
ovulation inhibitors and hormone treatment.
