Archives for September 2009

INTRODUCTION — Menstrual cycle disorders can cause a woman’s periods to be absent or infrequent. Although some women do not mind missing their menstrual period, these changes should always be discussed with a healthcare provider because they can signal underlying medical conditions and potentially have long-term health consequences. A woman who misses more than three menstrual periods (either consecutively or over the course of a year) should see a healthcare provider.

INTRODUCTION — Painful menstruation, also known as dysmenorrhea, is one of the most common gynecologic problems. Most women begin having dysmenorrhea during adolescence, usually within four to five years of the first menstrual period. Painful periods become less common as women age.

ENDOMETRIOSIS OVERVIEW — The normal tissue that lines the uterus and bleeds during the menstrual period is called the endometrium (show figure 1 ). Endometriosis is a noncancerous disorder in which tissue that is similar to the endometrium develops outside of the uterus. Typically this occurs in the pelvis, but it may occur in virtually any part of the body.

FIBROIDS OVERVIEW — Fibroids are growths of the uterus, or womb (show figure 1 ). They are also called uterine leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids grow from the muscle cells of the uterus and may protrude from the inside or outside surface of the uterus (show figure 2 ). Fibroids may also be found within the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids are not cancerous or pre-cancerous.