Living with a menstrual disorder can disrupt your daily activities and be very frustrating when you are experiencing symptoms and you are not sure what is causing them. Often, women put off visiting their gynaecologist for menstrual disorders as they pass off their symptoms as just having an irregular period.
Menstrual disorders can be defined as symptoms that disrupt the menstrual cycle, often accompanied by physical and/or emotional symptoms just before and during menstruation.
These symptoms may include:
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has a wide variety of emotional and physical symptoms that occur before a woman’s cycle. PMS is very common, with most women having at least some of these symptoms before and during their cycle. These symptoms can level in intensity from mild to severe. For some women, these symptoms can disrupt their daily lives.
Symptoms of PMS include:
In a small number of cases, these symptoms can be debilitating, where women are unable to continue with daily activities and disrupting their lives. This is known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Untreated PMDD can be extremely emotionally distressing and, if left untreated, can lead to depression and suicide. The cause of PMDD is not known, but some experts believe that it is caused by the fluctuating serotonin levels in the brain.
You may be more prone to PMDD if you have
Treatment options for PMDD
PMDD can be managed with hormonal birth control pills and, sometimes, antidepressants.
Stress management, regular exercise and making dietary changes can also have a positive effect on PMDD symptoms. If you suspect you may have PMDD, book a consultation with Dr Tshimanga for a diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal imbalance that occurs in women in their reproductive years. It causes ovaries to create excess hormones called androgens. PCOS is one of the most common reasons why women struggle with infertility.
Symptoms of PCOS include
Treatment options for PCOS
Dr Tshimanga will determine the right treatment for your situation, but most of the time, PCOS can be treated with hormonal birth control, Insulin-sensitising medicine and medications to block androgens. You may also be advised to make some lifestyle changes that can include exercising and having a healthy diet to maintain a healthy weight.
Endometriosis is a common and painful disorder where the endometrium tissue (the tissue that lines the uterus) grows outside of your uterus in places like the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and vagina, causing the surrounding tissue to become inflamed during your menstrual cycle.
Symptoms of endometriosis include
Treatment options for endometriosis
Dr Tshimanga will determine the right course of treatment for your particular situation. He will consider how severe the condition is, your plans for future pregnancy, your age and the severity of your symptoms.
Endometriosis can, in most cases, be managed with hormonal birth control, pain relief medication and hormone-releasing medication. Surgery, also known as a Laparoscopy, might be suggested to remove lesions.