women s health issues
Overview of Menstrual Cycle Problems
Introduction
Complex interactions among hormones control the start of menstruation during Puberty in Girls , the rhythms and duration of The hormonal interactions that control menstruation occur in the following sequence: Thehypothalamusis the part of the brain that coordinates and controls hormonal activity. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)is released from the hypothalamus in pulses. Thepituitary gland(also located in the brain) is stimulated by GnRH. Luteinizing hormone (LH)andfollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)are released by the pituitary gland. Theovariesare stimulated by LH and FSH. , which ultimately control Menstrual Cycle . Hormones produced by other glands, such as the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland, can affect the functioning of the ovaries and menstruation. The Menstrual Cycle is regulated by the complex interaction of hormones: luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and the female sex hormones The menstrual cycle has three phases: Follicular (before release of the egg) Ovulatory (egg release) Luteal (after egg release) The menstrual cycle begins with menstrual bleeding (menstruation), which marks the first day of the follicular phase. When thefollicular phasebegins, levels ofestrogenandprogesteroneare low. As a result, the top layers of the thickened lining of the uterus (endometrium) break down and are shed, and menstrual bleeding occurs. About this time, the follicle-stimulating hormone level increases slightly, stimulating the development of several follicles in the ovaries. Each follicle contains an egg. Later in this phase, as the follicle-stimulating hormone level decreases, only one follicle continues to develop. This follicle producesestrogen. As the follicular phase continues, the increasing levels of estrogen cause the lining of the uterus to thicken. Theovulatory phasebegins with a surge in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Luteinizing hormone stimulates egg release (ovulation), which usually occurs 32 to 36 hours after the surge begins. Theestrogenlevel peaks during the surge, and theprogesteronelevel starts to increase. During theluteal phase,luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels decrease. The ruptured follicle closes after releasing the egg and forms a corpus luteum, which producesprogesterone. During most of this phase, theestrogenlevel is high.Progesteroneandestrogencause the lining of the uterus to thicken more and thus prepare for possible fertilization. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates and no longer producesprogesterone, theestrogenlevel decreases, the top layers of the lining break down and are shed, and menstrual bleeding occurs (the start of a new menstrual cycle). During the reproductive years, vaginal bleeding may be abnormal if menstrual periods are too heavy or too light, last too long, occur too often, or are irregular. Any vaginal bleeding that occurs before puberty or after menopause is considered abnormal until proven otherwise. Most causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding are not serious. Menstrual cycle problems include Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) None Absence of Menstrual Periods (amenorrhea) Menstrual Cramps (dysmenorrhea) Premature Menopause (primary ovarian insufficiency) Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) (PMS) Irregular or absent menses and abnormal vaginal bleeding have many causes. During the reproductive years, pregnancy is the most common cause. Doctors evaluate vaginal bleeding in pregnant women differently from vaginal bleeding in women who are not pregnant (see Vaginal Bleeding During Early Pregnancy and Some disorders that are related to the reproductive organs but not only to the menstrual cycle can cause some of the same symptoms as menstrual disorders. These disorders include Pelvic Congestion Syndrome None Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) None 