Menstrual Problems
GP Services for Menstrual Problems
The definition of a healthy menstrual cycle varies. It typically ranges from 25 to 35 days in length, measured from the first day of bleeding to the next first day of bleeding.
In general, a woman shouldn’t experience pain or bleeding between her periods. During a period, the bleeding amount is typically manageable – defined as using up to four menstrual products a day. Discomfort during this time is minimal or absent.
When a woman experiences menstrual problems, the warm and caring GPs who consult at Healthcare on Collins can assist.
Conditions Related to Menstrual Disorders
Certain conditions can lead to menstrual irregularity because of the behaviour of different hormones. During your appointment, your women’s health GP can provide information about the following and more:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): a disorder of reproductive hormones, the basis of which is insulin resistance. Symptoms include menstrual irregularity, weight control, acne, the development of hair in unwanted places, fertility challenges and considerations for mental health.
Perimenopause: the transitional phase when a woman’s oestrogen levels begin to decline as they approach the end of their reproductive years. A common symptom of perimenopause is menstrual irregularity.
Endometrial cancer: a type of cancer affecting the lining of the womb. Symptoms include abnormal bleeding patterns. It is linked to exposure to high oestrogen levels, often observed in women who experience fewer than 4 natural menstrual cycles every year. It is also associated with obesity.
Uterine fibroids: a benign growth of the womb muscle often characterised by heavy and painful bleeding. Depending on the size of the fibroids, they can impact other organs in the pelvis, including the bladder and bowel. Fibroids are rare before the third decade.
Endometrial polyps: Polyps are typically small, benign growths in the endometrial (womb) lining. They may cause irregular bleeding. Though mostly non-cancerous, they are usually surgically removed and tested to rule out the presence of endometrial cancer.
Endometrial hyperplasia: is the precursor to endometrial cancer. It is a condition where the lining of the womb becomes abnormally thickened, usually as a result of overexposure to oestrogen. If left untreated, it has the potential to transform into cancer. It is rare before the age of 40.
Diagnosis of Menstrual Disorders
Medical History
The most important part of the diagnosis of a menstrual disorder is the history given by the patient, such as:
- When the issue started
- The symptoms experienced
- The severity of the impact on their quality of life
Assessment
Your treating GP also may undertake investigations that can include:
- Blood tests for hormone and iron deficiency
- For sexually active women – cervical cancer and STI screening
- A pelvic ultrasound to assess the health of the uterus and ovaries
Treatment Available at Healthcare on Collins
A wide range of treatment options exist based on the cause of the menstrual issue.
This may include using pain medications to manage discomfort during the menstrual cycle, as well as hormonal treatments to regulate the cycle and reduce bleeding.
For women experiencing chronic pain due to conditions such as endometriosis, there are pain-modulating drugs available.
In certain cases, surgical intervention is also an option for addressing particular causes of menstrual problems.
When to Contact your GP for Support
We encourage women to contact their GP from the very first moment that they perceive themselves to be having menstrual problems.
Your GP’s role involves not only diagnosing and treating these conditions but also providing important education.
We certainly encourage patients not to suffer in silence because there is a range of healthcare services available to women to improve their quality of life and reduce the impact of menstrual problems.
Call Us
(03) 9650 4284
FAQ
What are the common symptoms that might indicate menstrual issues?
The typical symptoms may include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles, where the length deviates from the standard 25 to 35 days (irregularity can manifest as cycles shorter than 25 days or longer than 35 days).
- Excessive or unusual bleeding patterns.
- Significant pain during and between periods.
- Psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression, fatigue, poor sleep, and a sense of malaise due to hormonal fluctuations.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
Women experiencing such symptoms linked to their menstrual cycle are encouraged to seek advice from their GP.
Who is Affected by Menstrual Problems?
Menstrual problems can affect women from menarche (the term used to describe a woman’s first period) through to the last episode of bleeding before menopause occurs, namely women aged from early adolescence to their fifties.
Where Healthcare On Collins uses the term woman, we are including women, transgender men, and all people who were born with female reproductive organs.
Where Healthcare On Collins uses the term woman, we are including women, transgender men, and all people who were born with female reproductive organs.