Dysmenorrhoea (Painful Periods): Period pain is common, but it shouldn’t affect your routine. Primary dysmenorrhoea is driven by prostaglandins that make the uterus contract strongly, usually starting in the teens, worst in the first 1–3 days, sometimes with nausea, loose motions, headache, or fatigue. If you’re missing work, school, or normal plans, it deserves treatment. Secondary dysmenorrhoea starts later and has an underlying cause like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or infection. It can worsen over time, begin before bleeding, linger after, and link with heavy flow, painful sex, or fertility issues.
Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding): Heavy bleeding isn’t counted in millilitres. It shows up as soaking pads every 1–2 hours, needing double protection, passing large clots, bleeding beyond 7 days, or feeling drained, dizzy, or breathless from anaemia. Causes include fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, thyroid or hormonal imbalance, and sometimes bleeding disorders.
Amenorrhoea (Absent Periods): Primary amenorrhoea is when periods haven’t started by around 15–16 years, often due to hormonal, genetic, or structural causes. Secondary amenorrhoea is when periods stop for 3+ months after being regular. Pregnancy comes first, but PCOS, stress or weight change, thyroid issues, high prolactin, premature ovarian insufficiency, and some medicines can also play a role.
Oligomenorrhoea (Infrequent Periods): Cycles longer than 35 days often reflect irregular ovulation and can affect fertility and, in some cases, uterine-lining health.
Irregular Menstruation: Unpredictable cycles, 25 days one month, 50 the next, often follow stress, weight shifts, thyroid imbalance, PCOS, or perimenopause.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): PMS can bring bloating, breast tenderness, irritability, cravings, low energy, and mood swings in the days before bleeding. PMDD is the severe end; mood symptoms become intense enough to disrupt relationships, work, and daily functioning.