Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Most women lose about 2 ounces of blood or less. Menorrhagia is a loss of more blood than normal. This happens if there is a high volume of blood or a period that lasts more than 7 days. It can be caused by hormone changes or physical problems. The loss of blood can lead to anemia and other health problems.

  Absence of Menstruation

Girls may not start to have their period when expected. This is called primary amenorrhea. It is found when a girl does not have a period by:

• Age 14 without growth of pubic hair and breasts
• Age 16 with or without growth of pubic hair and breasts

Periods may also stop after they have already started. Secondary amenorrhea is when it is absent for at least 3 cycles. It may be caused by:

• Pregnancy
• Hormonal imbalances
• Hypothyroidism
• High levels of prolactin in the blood
• Eating disorders
• Mental health problems
• Low or high body fat
• Rapid weight loss
• Too much exercise
• Other health problems

Amenorrhea can lead to problems like a decrease in bone density. It can cause a higher risk of osteoporosis.

  Other Types of Abnormal Bleeding

• Metrorrhagia—mostly light bleeding in between periods. It may be caused by hormone changes, birth control pill, or infections. It can also be caused by a growth on cervix, uterus or a miscarriage.
• Menometrorrhagia—is bleeding in between periods, then bleeding heavily during a period. It may be caused by hormone problems.
• Hypomenorrhea—is very light periods. It is often found in female athletes. It can be caused by hormone changes from too much exercise and low weight. It can also be caused by anorexia.
• Anovulatory cycle—a specific part of the cycle does not happen. The egg is not released. It can change the cycle and how often the periods happens.

Less common problems are:

• Polymenorrhea—too many periods close together (less than 21 days)
• Oligomenorrhea—too few cycles (periods far apart)