Oligomenorrhea is a condition when a woman's menstrual periods of childbearing age are irregular or unpredictable. The cause of oligomenorrhea is usually not serious. But in certain cases, oligomenorrhea can be a sign of health problems in the body.
Normally, menstrual periods occur every 21-35 days. If a woman does not experience menstruation for more than 35-90 days, then the woman is said to be suffering from oligomenorrhea.
This condition causes sufferers to only experience menstruation 6-8 times a year. The amount of blood that comes out is unpredictable, it can be less than usual or even more.
Causes of Oligomenorrhea You Need to Know
Oligomenorrhea is generally experienced by adolescents in the early period of menstruation, which is about 2-3 years after the first menstruation. However, this condition is fairly normal, because it occurs as a result of unstable hormone activity during these puberty periods. Oligomenorrhea is also more common in women who are entering menopause or women who use hormonal contraception, such as birth control pills or injectable contraceptives.
Apart from hormonal influences, there are several other conditions that can cause oligomenorrhea. These conditions include:
- Thyroid disease.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Malnutrition, for example due to eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Pelvic inflammation.
- Cancer, such as uterine cancer and ovarian cancer.
- Early menopause.
- Psychological problems, such as stress and depression.
- Side effects of medications, such as anticonvulsants, blood thinners, corticosteroids, and antipsychotic medications.
In addition to the conditions above, oligomenorrhea is also more prone to occur in women who often do strenuous sports, such as lifting weights or running marathons.
Handling Oligomenorrhea
Because it can be caused by various things, oligomenorrhea should be examined by a doctor to find out further what causes it.
To determine the cause of oligomenorrhea, the doctor will perform a series of examinations, starting from a review of menstrual history, physical examination, to supporting examinations, such as blood tests, urine tests, Pap semar, and ultrasound.
Oligomenorrhea is often not a serious condition, but steps need to be taken to treat it. The type of treatment also depends on the cause. The following are some ways to treat oligomenorrhea:
- If oligomenorrhea occurs due to the use of hormonal contraception (birth control pills or injectable contraceptives), your doctor may advise you to replace the contraceptive with another type of contraception, such as condoms.
- Taking birth control pills containing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, if oligomenorrhea is caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body. This method can also be done in PCOS sufferers.
- Avoid or limit strenuous exercise.
- Consult a nutritionist, if oligomenorrhea is caused by obesity, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia.
Oligomenorrhea caused by certain health disorders, such as thyroid disease and diabetes, can be treated by treating the underlying disease first. By treating the cause, it is hoped that the body's hormonal conditions will return to normal, so that the menstrual cycle can become regular again.
Oligomenorrhea is often not caused by a serious condition. But sometimes, this condition can cause infertility or difficulty conceiving offspring.
If this menstrual disorder makes it difficult for you to calculate your fertile period, then you should immediately consult a gynecologist to get the right examination and treatment.