How does the menstrual cycle affect reproductive health?

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Tran Thi Mai Huong - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Menstrual cycle is a common condition in women. Menstruation may be sparse in the first few years of menstruation, then will be regular. However, there are cases where this condition persists for many years, even after getting married, menstruation is still irregular. This makes many women worried, afraid that it will affect their ability to have children. In fact, how does the lack of menstruation affect reproductive health?

A normal menstrual cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days. When the menstrual cycle lasts more than 35 days, even once every three months, it is called a sparse menstrual cycle. This is a common menstrual disorder.

The menstrual cycle is directly influenced by two female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, which are secreted by the ovaries. When these two hormones are secreted regularly in a cycle with a balanced and appropriate ratio, women will have a regular menstrual cycle and a moderate amount of menstrual blood.
In adolescence, due to unstable ovaries, girls may have irregular periods in the first 1-2 years. After 1-2 years, or after getting married or giving birth for the first time, the menstrual cycle will be more regular. However, there are women after this time, the menstrual cycle is sparse can be due to some of the following reasons:
Ovarian causes such as: Polycystic ovary. Premature ovarian failure. Tumor in the ovary. Causes in the hypothalamus such as: Congenital GnRH deficiency. Due to lack of functional GnRH due to malnutrition, excessive stress, excessive exercise,... Causes in the pituitary gland such as prolactin-secreting tumors,... Causes in the uterus.

Irregular periods can affect a woman's fertility, depending on what's causing the condition.
If the cause is less ovulation, it will reduce the rate of conception. If during the menstrual cycle, the ovaries do not release an ovum, then pregnancy cannot be achieved. If the cause of polycystic ovaries affects the ability to have children. This is one of the most common causes of female infertility.

To treat irregular menstruation is not difficult, but the problem is to diagnose ovulatory or non-ovulatory cycle? If you don't ovulate, you need treatment for ovulation, so you can have children.
For women who have sparse menstrual periods due to polycystic ovaries, the aim of treatment is to focus on solving problems such as infertility because of not ovulating, acne, hirsutism, menstrual disorders. If you do not want to have children, but only want to have regular periods, you will be advised to use birth control pills. If you want to have a baby, you will need to use an egg-stimulating drug, but because the ovaries are not responsive to the drug, you may need to take a high dose of the drug. However, such use can cause an over-response leading to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is very dangerous.
Therefore, when experiencing sparse menstruation, it is best for women to go to specialized medical facilities to be examined by doctors, find out the cause, and then have appropriate treatment.
Vinmec International General Hospital currently has a basic gynecological examination and screening package, including examination for menstrual problems such as irregular menstruation, sparse menstrual cycle, abnormally long cycle. Packages are performed by a team of leading specialists; comprehensive and professional medical examination, consultation and treatment services; modern equipment system, supporting diagnosis and effective treatment; especially ensuring complete safety and privacy for customers, will accurately detect gynecological diseases if any, helping to comprehensively protect women's health.