Polymenorrhea | |
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Other names | Polymenorrhoea; Polymenorrhœa; Frequent periods; Frequent menstrual bleeding; Frequent menstruation; Epimenorrhea; Epimenorrhoea; Epimenorrhœa; Abnormally frequent menstruation; Unusually frequent menses |
Specialty | Gynecology |
Symptoms | Short menstrual cycles (<21 days) that are otherwise regular and normal |
Complications | Anemia; Iron deficiency; Endometrial cancer (when related to inadequate luteal phase) |
Causes | Anovulation; Inadequate/short luteal phase; Short follicular phase; Certain endocrine disorders; Puberty/adolescence; Perimenopause |
Differential diagnosis | Metrorrhagia (intermenstrual bleeding) |
Treatment | Hormonal agents |
Medication | Progestogen during luteal phase; Combined oral contraceptive pill |
Prognosis | Usually transient and self-limited |
Polymenorrhea, also known as frequent periods, frequent menstruation, or frequent menstrual bleeding, is a menstrual disorder in which menstrual cycles are shorter than 21 days in length and hence where menstruation occurs more frequently than usual. [1] [2] [3] Cycles are regular and menstrual flow is normal in the condition. [3] Normally, menstrual cycles are 25 to 30 days in length, with a median duration of 28 days. [2]
Polymenorrhea is usually caused by anovulation (failure to ovulate), an inadequate or short luteal phase, and/or a short follicular phase. [4] [3] [5] Polymenorrhea is common in puberty and adolescence due to the immaturity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG axis). [4] Shorter menstrual cycles are also common in the early perimenopause (menopausal transition), during which time the lengths of menstrual cycles may be reduced by 3 to 7 days secondary to a shorter follicular phase. [6] [7] Certain endocrine disorders, such as hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and acromegaly, can cause polymenorrhea. [8] [9][ additional citation(s) needed] While not a classical symptom, polymenorrhea can occur as a result of uterine fibroids. [10] Polymenorrhea may result in anemia and iron deficiency due to blood loss. [4] In addition, when it is due to an inadequate luteal phase and hence progesterone deficiency, polymenorrhea may be related to an increased risk of endometrial cancer. [11]
Polymenorrhea is usually transient and self-limited, thereby not necessitating treatment. [4] If it persists, is disturbing, or if there is considerable blood loss due to the frequent periods, treatment may be indicated. [4] The mainstays of treatment are a progestogen during the luteal phase of the cycle or a combined oral contraceptive pill. [4]
Polymenorrhea is sometimes confused with metrorrhagia (menstrual bleeding between periods). [3] It can be distinguished from metrorrhagia by its regularity. [3] Polymenorrhea can be contrasted with oligomenorrhea, in which menstrual cycles are greater than 35 or 37 days in length. [3] [12] The condition can also be distinguished from polymenorrhagia, which is a combination of polymenorrhea and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). [1]
Polymenorrhea | |
---|---|
Other names | Polymenorrhoea; Polymenorrhœa; Frequent periods; Frequent menstrual bleeding; Frequent menstruation; Epimenorrhea; Epimenorrhoea; Epimenorrhœa; Abnormally frequent menstruation; Unusually frequent menses |
Specialty | Gynecology |
Symptoms | Short menstrual cycles (<21 days) that are otherwise regular and normal |
Complications | Anemia; Iron deficiency; Endometrial cancer (when related to inadequate luteal phase) |
Causes | Anovulation; Inadequate/short luteal phase; Short follicular phase; Certain endocrine disorders; Puberty/adolescence; Perimenopause |
Differential diagnosis | Metrorrhagia (intermenstrual bleeding) |
Treatment | Hormonal agents |
Medication | Progestogen during luteal phase; Combined oral contraceptive pill |
Prognosis | Usually transient and self-limited |
Polymenorrhea, also known as frequent periods, frequent menstruation, or frequent menstrual bleeding, is a menstrual disorder in which menstrual cycles are shorter than 21 days in length and hence where menstruation occurs more frequently than usual. [1] [2] [3] Cycles are regular and menstrual flow is normal in the condition. [3] Normally, menstrual cycles are 25 to 30 days in length, with a median duration of 28 days. [2]
Polymenorrhea is usually caused by anovulation (failure to ovulate), an inadequate or short luteal phase, and/or a short follicular phase. [4] [3] [5] Polymenorrhea is common in puberty and adolescence due to the immaturity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG axis). [4] Shorter menstrual cycles are also common in the early perimenopause (menopausal transition), during which time the lengths of menstrual cycles may be reduced by 3 to 7 days secondary to a shorter follicular phase. [6] [7] Certain endocrine disorders, such as hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and acromegaly, can cause polymenorrhea. [8] [9][ additional citation(s) needed] While not a classical symptom, polymenorrhea can occur as a result of uterine fibroids. [10] Polymenorrhea may result in anemia and iron deficiency due to blood loss. [4] In addition, when it is due to an inadequate luteal phase and hence progesterone deficiency, polymenorrhea may be related to an increased risk of endometrial cancer. [11]
Polymenorrhea is usually transient and self-limited, thereby not necessitating treatment. [4] If it persists, is disturbing, or if there is considerable blood loss due to the frequent periods, treatment may be indicated. [4] The mainstays of treatment are a progestogen during the luteal phase of the cycle or a combined oral contraceptive pill. [4]
Polymenorrhea is sometimes confused with metrorrhagia (menstrual bleeding between periods). [3] It can be distinguished from metrorrhagia by its regularity. [3] Polymenorrhea can be contrasted with oligomenorrhea, in which menstrual cycles are greater than 35 or 37 days in length. [3] [12] The condition can also be distinguished from polymenorrhagia, which is a combination of polymenorrhea and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). [1]