Women's Health Medicine
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Pages 5-9, May 2005

Irregular periods

  • Manish Gupta

      Affiliations

    • Manish Gupta is a Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He graduated from St. Mary's Hospital, London and the University of Bristol, and has trained in London and at King George V Memorial Hospital in Sydney.
    • ,
  • Kirsten Duckitt

      Affiliations

    • Kirsten Duckitt is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist currently practising in Northern British Columbia, Canada. She qualified from Cambridge University and UCH/Middlesex Hospital, London. Until October 2004 she was a Consultant Obstetrican at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Her interests include guideline development and systematic reviews.

Abstract 

Irregular bleeding can be heavy or light and the term may represent several abnormal menstrual patterns. The definition includes too many periods, too few periods, bleeding between periods and postcoital bleeding. The main aim of the health-care professional is to exclude any genital tract malignancy and then improve quality of life. A careful history, including perhaps a menstrual calendar, followed by examination is essential. If the woman is over 40 or there are particular risk factors for hyperplasia or malignancy, it may be necessary to obtain a Pap smear. Management will depend on the underlying cause. Cervical lesions often only require simple outpatient treatment. Cyclical progestogens such as medroxyprogesterone acetate can be used to give cycle control if the combined oral contraceptive pill is not suitable.

Keywords:  menorrhagia and other menstrual problems , intermenstrual bleeding , postcoital bleeding , polymenorrhoea , oligomenorrhoea , menstrual disorders

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PII: S1744-1870(06)00051-5

doi:10.1383/wohm.2.3.5.67172

Women's Health Medicine
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Pages 5-9, May 2005

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