Cycle length varies from woman to woman and for many is not even the same from one month to the next. But if the menstrual cycle is regularly shortened or prolonged, this is referred to as a menstrual disorder, which should be treated if necessary and particularly if a couple is having trouble conceiving.
The most common menstrual cycle disorders
- Too frequent menstruation (polymenorrhoea), irregular or regularly shortened cycles (cycle < 25 days)
- Infrequent menstruation (oligomenorrhoea), infrequent periods with highly extended cycles (cycle > 35 days but < 3 months)
- Menstruation stops (secondary amenorrhoea), menstruation stops for 3 months or longer, without a pregnancy occurring or the presence of physical causes
Causes of menstrual disorders
The causes of menstrual disorders are varied. Both physical as well as hormonal disorders or increased psychological strain and stress can cause irregular cycles. Accompanying problems with the prolactin balance are frequent. Prolactin is a hormone that usually increases during lactation and that promotes milk production. Increased prolactin levels inhibit progesterone secretion and are connected with corpus luteum deficiency, which ultimately leads to menstrual disorders and can lead to the absence of ovulation.
Menstrual disorders – fertility issues
A regular cycle plays a crucial role in the monthly maturation of an ovum and thus in a woman’s fertility. If cycles are too short, it can lead to a fertilised ovum not being implanted in the uterus. Menstrual disorders can generally be the cause of difficulties in conceiving.
What helps with menstrual disorders?
Frequently, menstrual disorders can also be stress-related. Therefore, try to avoid prolonged periods of stress and regularly take time out from everyday life. Physical exercise or relaxation techniques such as yoga or autogenic training can help reduce stress and thus relieve menstrual disorders.
Herbal treatment for menstrual disorders
Nature has a plant readily available to relieve menstrual disorders: monk’s pepper (Vitex agnus castus). Monk’s pepper reduces the release of the hormone prolactin and is used for menstrual cycle disorders (too frequent or too infrequent menstruation). Monk’s pepper is also used reliably for premenstrual Syndrome.