View source for Polymenorrhea

{{Short description|More frequent menstruation}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name           = Polymenorrhea
| synonyms       = Polymenorrhoea; Polymenorrhœa; Frequent periods; Frequent menstrual bleeding; Frequent menstruation; Epimenorrhea; Epimenorrhoea; Epimenorrhœa; Abnormally frequent menstruation; Unusually frequent menses
| image          = 
| caption        = 
| pronounce      = 
| field          = [[Gynecology]]
| symptoms       = Short menstrual cycles (<21{{nbsp}}days) that are otherwise regular and normal
| complications  = [[Anemia]]; [[Iron deficiency]]; [[Endometrial cancer]] (when related to inadequate luteal phase)
| onset          = 
| duration       = 
| types          = 
| causes         = [[Anovulation]]; Inadequate/short [[luteal phase]]; Short [[follicular phase]]; Certain [[endocrine disorder]]s; [[Puberty]]/adolescence; [[Perimenopause]]
| risks          = 
| diagnosis      = 
| differential   = [[Metrorrhagia]] (intermenstrual bleeding)
| prevention     = 
| treatment      = [[Hormonal agent]]s
| medication     = [[Progestogen (medication)|Progestogen]] during [[luteal phase]]; [[Combined oral contraceptive pill]]
| prognosis      = Usually transient and self-limited
| frequency      = 
| deaths         = 
}}

'''Polymenorrhea''', also known as '''frequent periods''', '''frequent menstruation''', or '''frequent menstrual bleeding''', is a [[menstrual disorder]] in which [[menstrual cycle]]s are shorter than 21{{nbsp}}days in length and hence where [[menstruation]] occurs more frequently than usual.<ref name="pmid18258230" /><ref name="pmid25905282">{{cite journal | vauthors = Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, Chrousos G, de Herder WW, Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hershman JM, Hofland J, Kalra S, Kaltsas G, Koch C, Kopp P, Korbonits M, Kovacs CS, Kuohung W, Laferrère B, Levy M, McGee EA, McLachlan R, Morley JE, New M, Purnell J, Sahay R, Singer F, Sperling MA, Stratakis CA, Trence DL, Wilson DP, Reed BG, Carr BR | title = The Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation | journal = Endotext | volume = | issue = | pages = | date = 5 August 2018 | pmid = 25905282 | doi = | url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279054/}}</ref><ref name="CallahanCaughey2013">{{cite book | author1 = Tamara Callahan | author2 = Aaron B. Caughey | date = 28 January 2013 | title = Blueprints Obstetrics and Gynecology | publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins | pages = 296– | isbn = 978-1-4511-1702-8 | oclc = 1023316161 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=eKC1B3BhlxUC&pg=PA296}}</ref> Cycles are regular and menstrual flow is normal in the condition.<ref name="CallahanCaughey2013" /> Normally, menstrual cycles are 25 to 30{{nbsp}}days in length, with a median duration of 28{{nbsp}}days.<ref name="pmid25905282" />

Polymenorrhea is usually caused by [[anovulation]] (failure to ovulate), an inadequate or short [[luteal phase]], and/or a short [[follicular phase]].<ref name="pmid15045790" /><ref name="CallahanCaughey2013" /><ref name="pmid10524483">{{cite journal | vauthors = Oriel KA, Schrager S | title = Abnormal uterine bleeding | journal = Am Fam Physician | volume = 60 | issue = 5 | pages = 1371–80; discussion 1381–2 | date = October 1999 | pmid = 10524483 | doi = | url = https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1999/1001/p1371.html}}</ref> Polymenorrhea is common in [[puberty]] and adolescence due to the immaturity of the [[hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis]] (HPG axis).<ref name="pmid15045790" /> Shorter menstrual cycles are also common in the early [[perimenopause]] (menopausal transition), during which time the lengths of menstrual cycles may be reduced by 3 to 7{{nbsp}}days secondary to a shorter follicular phase.<ref name="pmid15123058">{{cite journal | vauthors = Goldstein SR | title = Menorrhagia and abnormal bleeding before the menopause | journal = Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol | volume = 18 | issue = 1 | pages = 59–69 | date = February 2004 | pmid = 15123058 | doi = 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2003.10.003 | url = }}</ref><ref name="pmid11855687">{{cite book | vauthors = Prior JC | title = Endocrine Facets of Ageing | chapter = The ageing female reproductive axis II: Ovulatory changes with perimenopause | journal = <!-- --> | series = Novartis Foundation Symposia | volume = 242 | issue = | pages = 172–86; discussion 186–92 | date = 2002 | pmid = 11855687 | doi = 10.1002/0470846542.ch11| isbn = 9780471486367 | chapter-url = }}</ref> Certain [[endocrine disorder]]s, such as [[hyperprolactinemia]], [[hypothyroidism]], [[hyperthyroidism]], [[Cushing's syndrome]], and [[acromegaly]], can cause polymenorrhea.<ref name="UnuaneTournayeVelkeniers2011">{{cite journal | last1 = Unuane | first1 = David | last2 = Tournaye | first2 = Herman | last3 = Velkeniers | first3 = Brigitte | last4 = Poppe | first4 = Kris | title = Endocrine disorders & female infertility | journal = Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | date = December 2011 | volume = 25 | issue = 6 | pages = 861–873 | issn = 1521-690X | doi = 10.1016/j.beem.2011.08.001 | pmid = 22115162 | url = }}</ref><ref name="Kalro2003">{{cite journal | last1 = Kalro | first1 = Brinda N | title = Impaired fertility caused by endocrine dysfunction in women | journal = Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America | date = September 2003 | volume = 32 | issue = 3 | pages = 573–592 | issn = 0889-8529 | doi = 10.1016/S0889-8529(03)00041-0 | pmid = 14575026| url = }}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=July 2022}} While not a classical symptom, polymenorrhea can occur as a result of [[uterine fibroid]]s.<ref name="Batra2011">{{cite book | author = Swaraj Batra | date = 2011 | title = Case Discussions in Obstetrics and Gynecology | publisher = Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Pvt. Ltd. | pages = 231– | isbn = 9789350258484 | oclc = 856017557 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=C7-oNfjSDBEC&pg=PA231}}</ref> Polymenorrhea may result in [[anemia]] and [[iron deficiency]] due to [[blood loss]].<ref name="pmid15045790" /> In addition, when it is due to an inadequate luteal phase and hence [[progesterone deficiency]], polymenorrhea may be related to an increased risk of [[endometrial cancer]].<ref name="pmid19231117">{{cite journal | vauthors = Schindler AE | title = Progestogen deficiency and endometrial cancer risk | journal = Maturitas | volume = 62 | issue = 4 | pages = 334–7 | date = April 2009 | pmid = 19231117 | doi = 10.1016/j.maturitas.2008.12.018 | url = }}</ref>

Polymenorrhea is usually transient and self-limited, thereby not necessitating treatment.<ref name="pmid15045790">{{cite journal | vauthors = Tscherne G | title = Menstrual irregularities. Evidence-based clinical practice | journal = Endocr Dev | volume = 7 | issue = | pages = 129–39 | date = 2004 | pmid = 15045790 | doi = 10.1159/000077081 | url = }}</ref> If it persists, is disturbing, or if there is considerable blood loss due to the frequent periods, treatment may be indicated.<ref name="pmid15045790" /> The mainstays of treatment are a [[progestogen (medication)|progestogen]] during the luteal phase of the cycle or a [[combined oral contraceptive pill]].<ref name="pmid15045790" />

Polymenorrhea is sometimes confused with [[metrorrhagia]] (menstrual bleeding between periods).<ref name="CallahanCaughey2013" /> It can be distinguished from metrorrhagia by its regularity.<ref name="CallahanCaughey2013" /> Polymenorrhea can be contrasted with [[oligomenorrhea]], in which menstrual cycles are greater than 35 or 37{{nbsp}}days in length.<ref name="CallahanCaughey2013" /><ref name="pmid21250125">{{cite book | vauthors = Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, Long WN | title = Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding | year = 1990 | volume = | pages = | publisher = Butterworths | pmid = 21250125 | doi = | isbn = 9780409900774 | url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK282/}}</ref> The condition can also be distinguished from [[polymenorrhagia]], which is a combination of polymenorrhea and [[menorrhagia]] (heavy menstrual bleeding).<ref name="pmid18258230">{{cite journal | vauthors = Woolcock JG, Critchley HO, Munro MG, Broder MS, Fraser IS | title = Review of the confusion in current and historical terminology and definitions for disturbances of menstrual bleeding | journal = Fertil Steril | volume = 90 | issue = 6 | pages = 2269–80 | date = December 2008 | pmid = 18258230 | doi = 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.10.060 | url = | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{Diseases of the pelvis, genitals and breasts}}
{{Menstrual cycle}}

[[Category:Menstrual disorders]]