Menstrual stress

Abstract

AbstractMenstruation and stress are closely related. Stress can cause alterations of menstruation, while alterations of menstruation can result in stress. The normal menstrual pattern shows wide variations in cycle length from 21 to 36 days and the duration of menstrual flow may last from two to eight days, and there are variations both within and between individuals. The effect of the same stress on the menstrual pattern may be different and opposite in individuals, but the same response tends to continue throughout the menstrual lifespan. Menstrual synchrony can occur among those living closely together, while the male may influence the length of the woman's menstrual cycle depending on the frequency of contact.Formerly, many menstrual disorders for which no structural abnormality could be detected were regarded as being of psychological origin. With increasing knowledge of hormonal interactions, neurohormones, receptors and binding mechanisms, and with improved investigative techniques, such as radioimmunoassays, ultrasonic pelvic scan and laparoscopy, today many hormone abnormalities have been uncovered to account for menstrual disorders. Thus premenstrual syndrome is now known to be caused by a deficiency of progesterone, spasmodic dysmenorrhoea by an excess of prostaglandin F2 alpha and menopausal symptoms by oestrogen deficiency. These hormonal abnormalities can be corrected by appropriate therapy and should therefore now be recognized as coming within the ambiance of gynaecological endocrinologists.