- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Oligomenorrhoea
Oligomenorrhoea is the name given to the condition that involves women experiencing irregular periods. A woman should normally go between 21 and 35 days without experiencing her period. If the gap between periods is any shorter or greater than this, there could be a problem. If she is having periods less than 21 days apart, she may be experiencing polymenorrhoea. This is when periods are more frequent than they should be, and has a number of causes that can be diagnosed and treated. If however the patient is having periods more than 35 days apart, she may be diagnosed with oligomenorrhoea. This can be caused by a variety of conditions, and should be investigated as soon as possible to prevent the condition from developing.
When a patient visits a GP or gynaecologist regarding irregular periods, he or she will ask a number of questions to determine the problem. Information will be taken about the frequency of the patient’s periods, how long they have been experiencing the problem and whether they are producing a consistent amount of blood during each period. If a woman has only experienced this problem once or twice, it may not be an issue. The specialist will examine the case closely, and possibly suggest that the patient monitor the next periods and see whether the problem persists. If the patient is experiencing abnormally heavy periods, this can be investigated as a case of menorrhagia, and treated accordingly. If it is decided that the only problem is infrequent periods, the specialist will treat it as a case of oligomenorrhoea, and investigate the causes.
There are a number of factors that can cause oligomenorrhoea. The condition is often caused as a result of a patient’s lifestyle. Eating disorders, stress and high levels of physical exercise can all contribute. The GP or gynaecologist will ask the patient about their lifestyle, eating and exercising habits. If it is evident that one of these causes is appropriate, they can work with the specialist to alter their lifestyle and treat the condition. If none of these causes are applicable, the condition could be caused by polycystic ovary disease. This causes small cysts to develop on the ovaries, and can affect the frequency and consistency of periods. The ovaries help to control the hormones that affect a woman’s development, and as a result polycystic ovary disease can have a profound effect if it has developed.