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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Irregular Cycle
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-DT, Sep 30, 2001 12:00AM
Thank you for your question and for visiting the Family Practice Forum.
If these periods are "regular" and you have a regular cycle of approximately 28 days, this may indeed be normal. The average menstrual period for women is 3-5 days with a cycle occurring every 28 days. The fact that your period is only 2-3 days in duration may be entirely normal. Most birth control pills will tend to shorten the duration of women's periods as well as make the periods, themselves less "heavy".
If your periods are irregular or are particularly painful, in addition to getting your regular "pap" test, your doctor may need to consider ordering a pelvic ultrasound to check for abnormalities such as fibroids and/or ovarian cysts.
Feel free to submit more information (as a comment).
Let me know if I can be of further help!
My best to you!
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.
If these periods are "regular" and you have a regular cycle of approximately 28 days, this may indeed be normal. The average menstrual period for women is 3-5 days with a cycle occurring every 28 days. The fact that your period is only 2-3 days in duration may be entirely normal. Most birth control pills will tend to shorten the duration of women's periods as well as make the periods, themselves less "heavy".
If your periods are irregular or are particularly painful, in addition to getting your regular "pap" test, your doctor may need to consider ordering a pelvic ultrasound to check for abnormalities such as fibroids and/or ovarian cysts.
Feel free to submit more information (as a comment).
Let me know if I can be of further help!
My best to you!
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.
Thank you so much in advance and looking forward your response asap.
Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a disease of reproductive age women marked by irregular, infrequent menses (oligomenorrhea) and/or lack of menstruation (amenorrhea). This condition may be also marked by infertility, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, abdominal pain, obesity, hirsuitism (excessive hairiness), enlarged ovaries, acne or deepening of the voice. Laboratory diagnosis will reveal elevated LH (leutenizing hormone) and somewhat low FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) as well as increased testosterone, increased estrone, progesterone and dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Other blood tests including serum glucose (to rule out diabetes) or a "dexamethasone suppression test" (to rule out Cushing's disease) should be considered by the physician examining the patient with presumed PCOD. Ovaries may be enlarged with a smooth glistening capsule and pelvic ultrasound will reveal enlarged ovaries with one or more associated cysts. Several treatments are availiable. If large cysts are present and are causing abdominal pain, laparascopic removal of these cyst(s) may be indicated. Provera (progesterone) may be prescribed to stimulate cyclic withdrawl bleeding or low dose oral contraceptive may be prescribed to help return menses to a "regular" pattern. You should see your doctor to have a pap as well. Most women with polycystic ovarian disease respond very well to treatment with an oral contraceptive (OC). One I have used and have had very good results with is an OC known as "Desogen"
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.
dear sir
I have marreid about 7 yaers ago but dispite of my disire I couldn't have any child. my wife has problems to become pragnancy. so my wife and I refered to some unfertiliy clinic and my wife had the "zift" operation 4 mounth ago but no resauted. I ask you to direct us to a very famous center in England to refer while I am gong to know the related charges.Please let us know.
with my copliments
hamid
is a period from 6-8 days still considered normal if there
is no pain or excessive bleeding involved ?
I had a long period for all my life even throughout the years
when I took the pill.
Regards,
Judith