With oligomenorrhea, periods are unpredictable. You may often go for more than 35 days without a period. Instead of having periods monthly, you may only have six to eight periods a year.
Some change in menstrual flow is normal at menarche, postpartum, or in the perimenopausal period. But if a woman reports the length of menstrual cycle greater than 35 days or four to nine menstrual cycles in a year, then it is termed as oligomenorrhea.
Most women with a regular cycle have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods each year. However, women's bodies are forever changing. From time to time, every woman suspects that her menstrual cycle is abnormal for one reason or another.
Oligomenorrhea is when you often don't get your period for 35 days or more and as a result have only four to nine periods each year. Missing a single period that is not due to pregnancy, birth control, or menopause is normally not cause for alarm.
A female who misses more than three menstrual periods (either consecutively or over the course of a year) should see a health care provider. Oligomenorrhea — Oligomenorrhea is the medical term for infrequent menstrual periods (fewer than six to eight periods per year).
On average, women will have 450 periods over their lifetime, which equals 3,500 days spent menstruating. That's over 10,000 period products in one lifetime! Of course, each woman is unique so that number will vary, but understanding your cycle is important since you will have so many throughout your life.
Conditions related to irregular menstruation
Oligomenorrhea: A condition where your periods occur infrequently. You may go more than 35 days between periods or have six to eight periods a year.
you have periods less than every 21 days or more than every 35 days. your periods last longer than 7 days. there's a big difference (at least 20 days) between your shortest and longest menstrual cycle. you have irregular periods and you're struggling to get pregnant.
Underlying health conditions that can cause long periods include uterine fibroids, endometrial (uterine) polyps, adenomyosis, or more rarely, a precancerous or cancerous lesion of the uterus. A long period can also result from hormonal imbalances (like hypothyroidism) or a bleeding disorder.
Perimenopause can begin in some women in their 30s, but most often it starts in women ages 40 to 44. It is marked by changes in menstrual flow and in the length of the cycle. There may be sudden surges in estrogen.
From your early 40s and into your 50s, during perimenopause, you may find that your periods change and become erratic as your ovaries slow down and oestrogen levels start to fluctuate. It can be very common for your cycle to become highly unpredictable and periods to be heavier and longer.
Abnormal menstruation can often be a source of concern for many women due to its discomfort and hindrance of her lifestyle. It can also be a cause of infertility, as well as indicating an underlying condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that has caused difficulty conceiving.
Kaufman says if your periods are consistently irregular, they'd recommend seeing your doctor or gynecologist. Here is what to watch for: Consistently having periods closer than 24 days apart. Consistently having periods longer than seven days.
Making lifestyle changes to reduce or manage stress and maintain a healthy body weight may help regulate periods. Meditation and yoga are effective stress management methods. Regular exercise and a healthful diet can help people manage their weight. Getting enough vitamin D may also support a healthy menstrual cycle.
Irregular and long menstrual cycles are common among women of reproductive age and have been associated with a higher risk of major chronic diseases including ovarian cancer, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health problems.
Excessive cramping and vomiting could be a sign of an abnormal period. Heavy menstrual bleeding and prolonged menstrual cycles could also signify that you're dealing with this condition. Other examples of abnormal periods include: Periods that are less than three weeks apart or more than five weeks apart.
Cycle Length
Both an abnormally long or short menstrual cycle can impact your fertility. Drastic differences in cycle lengths can signal issues like hormonal imbalance or other underlying medical issues.
Chances are, if you're between the ages of 45-50, your irregular periods are a sign of perimenopause. The average age a woman starts the menopausal transition is 47. While we cannot predict when this will occur for you, the age your mother began to experience symptoms may be a good indicator.
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
Blood tests for certain hormone levels (thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, DHEA) 24-hour urine collection for free cortisol. Pelvic ultrasound. Pap smear (see p.
Chloe Christos got her first period at age 14...and it lasted until she was 19. "I knew it wasn't quite right, but I was also embarrassed to talk about it.
The length of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman, but the average is to have periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 23 to 35 days, are normal. The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of a woman's period to the day before her next period.