Menstrual Disorders Specialist

What are menstrual disorders?

There are three primary menstrual disorders that affect adolescent girls, usually within a year or two of starting their first period.

These disorders include:

Painful menses (dysmenorrhea)

Painful periods describe severe cramps that occur during menstruation. These cramps can develop from severe uterine contractions or because of underlying conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Irregular menses

In adolescents the normal cycle interval is 21-45 days, but some girls will have shorter or longer cycles.

Irregular periods describe menstrual cycles that are different lengths or don’t occur every month. That may be due to hormone fluctuations or can be a sign of underlying conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Heavy menses

Heavy periods are a menstrual disorder that involves heavy bleeding or prolonged bleeding during a menstrual cycle. Causes of heavy periods in adolescents can include:

• Hormone imbalance
• Bleeding disorders
• Pelvic infections
• Sexually transmitted disease (STDs)
• Structural causes such as polyps

The use of hormonal birth controls, anti-inflammatories, and other medications can also contribute to heavy periods.

When should I seek treatment for menstrual disorders?

The Texas Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology team recommends scheduling a diagnostic evaluation for menstrual disorders in adolescents if pain or heavy bleeding interferes with quality of life.

The team offers exams on-site to determine the underlying cause of menstrual disorders. They spend time reviewing your child’s medical history to determine if STD testing, blood work, or other diagnostic testing is needed.

What treatments are available for menstrual disorders?

Texas Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology offers customized treatment plans for menstrual disorders. The team focuses on nonsurgical treatments to ease pain and help regulate your child’s periods.

Your child may benefit from treatments like over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications to relieve painful menstrual cramps.

The team may also recommend hormonal therapy such as pills, patches, rings, injections, or implants. These therapies can also regulate your period.

While rare in adolescents, surgery may also be necessary to treat menstrual disorders. Girls with endometriosis or large uterine polyps may be candidates for surgery when other therapies aren’t working well.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of menstrual disorders in adolescents and teens, call Texas Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology or book an appointment online today.