Polymenorrhea in Indian Women: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments

Polymenorrhea is a menstrual condition wherein the period cycle is shorter than 21 days. Usually, a menstrual cycle lasts between 28-34 days long. However, in this case, it’s usually a 21-day menstrual cycle. Sometimes you may even experience two short cycles in a month. While short periods are normal for some people, in others it may be indicative of an underlying condition. Abnormal vaginal bleeding affects ovulation, fertility in women, and pregnancy later on in life. Women with polymenorrhea also experience irregular and untimely, unpredictable periods. Therefore, it’s always good to visit a gynecologist and get expert advice on menstrual health and how to treat and manage short periods.

Women with polymenorrhea find it difficult to get pregnant but it still can be achieved. Frequent and early ovulation makes it difficult for women as they are unable to keep track. Stress can be a common cause for this condition as it affects the hormonal balance in our bodies. The ages affected are 13-50.

The most polymenorrhea symptoms include:

• Vaginal discharge
• Menorrhagia (heavy bleeding during periods)
• Amenorrhea(no period for six months)

Other polymenorrhea symptoms people may also experience include:

• Anaemia – extreme fatigue, weakness, pale skin and dizziness
• Abdominal pain and extreme itchiness caused by STDs.
• Painful periods and pain during sex caused by Endometriosis.

While some women may not have any underlying conditions causing polymenorrhea, others usually suffer from conditions such as high stress, endometriosis, or other conditions that affect fertility and reproductive health. No matter what the reason for your short menstrual cycle, get yourself checked by a gynecologist. On that note, here are some common Polymenorrhea causes:

1. Stress:
Stress is one of the most common Polymenorrhea causes. With our busy schedules getting only busier, our stress levels are only getting higher. Managing a high-pressure job, family pressures, relationships, and mental health are very stressful and this stress affects the hormonal balance in the body leading to short periods. Since most menstrual disorders such as Polymennorhea are caused due to some kind of hormonal imbalance, addressing stress will significantly reduce the load on your endocrine system, restoring balance, and regular menstruation. The best part is stress can be treated, that too quite effectively. Practising stress-relieving techniques, talking to a friend, or getting guidance from professional therapists all help relieve stress. Several women report that reducing stress has a positive impact on their menstrual cycle.

2. Sexually transmitted diseases and infections:
STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are also fairly common Polymenorrhea causes in many women. Chlamydia is a very common STD, common symptoms being vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, burning sensation during urination, and of course short menstrual cycles. Gonorrhoea is also a bacterial infection that causes extreme itching in the vaginal area as well as burning urination and vaginal discharge. Polymenorrhea is a common symptom across common STDs. Therefore, if you’re experiencing a short menstrual cycle, get yourself checked for STDs.

3. Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is a disorder that affects the tissues in the uterine cavity. Here, tissues similar to those lining the uterus grow outside the uterine cavity and spread to your ovaries, bowel, and even pelvis. Women with endometriosis usually suffer from heavy bleeding, painful intercourse, spotting in between cycles and, Polymenorrhea. Endometriosis can be treated through surgery and medications.

4. Perimenopause and menopause:
Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause. Most women experience perimenopause symptoms in their forties. They include mood swings, weight gain, and irregular menstruation. During perimenopause and menopause, a woman’s body undergoes several hormonal changes that lead to conditions such as Polymennorhea.

5. Other causes:
While the ones above are the most Polymenorrhea causes, here are some other conditions that may lead to short menstrual cycles:

• Fibroids
• Polyps
• Adenomyosis
• Malignant tumours in the uterus
• Ovulation related issues such as PCOD/PCOS, endometriosis
  Hormonal therapy, birth control pills, and methods such as Intrauterine devices.

A gynecologist will diagnose your symptoms and discern the cause of short cycles or polymenorrhea.

Women with Polymenorrhea find it more difficult to get pregnant because the ovulation cycle is much shorter than usual. During short periods, ovulation occurs much earlier than it should and is often quite irregular too because it occurs at different times of the month. Ovulation phase is followed by the luteal phase. In normal cases, this luteal phase corresponds with the mesnstrual cycle, but in this case, since ovulation is short, there is a discord. The next phase of the cycle is the luteal phase which follows the ovulation phase.

Some women take contraceptive pills to lengthen the luteal phase but they’re often ineffective because they also interfere with ovulation. However, that doesn’t mean women with polymenorrhea cannot get pregnant. Your gynecologist will prescribe the right medications to help you deal with infertility and short menstrual cycles. A fertility specialist can also provide you with alternate options for reproduction such as IVF, IUI, etc.

If you have a short menstrual cycle, you must visit a gynecologist to get yourself diagnosed. This is important because, without a diagnosis, you remain unaware of associated underlying conditions such as endometriosis or any STDs.

Here are some tests you will need to take to confirm diagnosis of Polymennorhea:

• Ultrasound examination
• Hysteroscopy
• Endometrial Biopsy
• Sonohysterography
• CT Scan

Treatment
Your gynecologist will prescribe a treatment for Polymenorrhea based on the underlying conditions. In most cases, if the underlying causes are treated, your menstruation will become normal on its own. For example if you have an STD or PCOS, addressing these conditions will help treat Polymennorhea.
However, if there is no clear cause, you may be advised to take contraceptive pills to lengthen the luteal phase of menstruation, so as to allow timely, instead of early ovulation.

Some women with Polymenorrhea may develop anemia because of frequent and excessive blood loss. Anemia causes fatigue and weight loss. It is also accompanied by difficulty in concentrating, pale skin,shortness of breath and https://www.mfine.co/article/improve-memory-naturally/?utm_source=SB. You must visit a general physician or gynecologist to address these concerns.
Sometimes, polymenorrhea or short periods also causes bloating and fluid retention in the body at the time of menstruation. This may lead to discomfort. Weight gain is also a common concern with short period cycles.

Polymenorrhea is uncomfortable for many women. Erratic, short menstruation is extremely inconvenient, interrupting day to day activities. Polymennorhea can also lead to infertility and reproductive issues. However, in most cases, it is caused by predictable factors such as endometriosis, STDs or other common conditions. Once your gynecologist addresses and treats them, you’ll come out hale, healthy and happy!

Q1. Can Polymenorrhea cause harm to the body?
Polymenorrhea’s extent of harm can be determined only by your gynecologist. If it’s hereditary, it’s often harmless but it can indicate STDs and other disorders that require medical attention.

Q2. What causes Polymenorrhea?
While some women may not have any underlying conditions causing polymenorrhea, others usually suffer from conditions such as high stress, endometriosis, STDs, or other conditions that affect fertility in women and reproductive health.

Q3. Is Polymenorrhea curable?
Polymenorrhea is curable if the underlying cause is fully curable. If not, then your doctor will guide you on how to manage and mitigate it. Your gynecologist will recommend the best course of treatment based on your diagnosis.

Q4. Can you prevent polymenorrhea?
A healthy diet rich in nutrients and low in fat helps decrease the risk of polymenorrhea or short menstrual cycle. Contraceptives also help to lengthen, the cycle improving the chances of ovulation and fertilization.

Q5. How do I book an appointment with a gynecologist?
You just have to download the MFine app, search for a gynecologist near you and book an appointment by filling out your details. You can teleconsult with your gynecologist online and discuss your issues comfortably with him/her.

Q6. Is my information secure on the MFine app?
MFine takes your privacy very seriously. At MFine, we provide the utmost confidentiality to all our patients. No information is exchanged between your doctor and anyone else.

In this time of a pandemic, also take a COVID antibody RTPCR test for safety and assurance at the comfort of your home accurately on mfine, available in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Gurgaon and Hyderabad.