Patient's question:
My wife's menstrual periods have been abnormal for the past two cycles. After the bleeding starts, there are sporadic occurrences of reddish-brown discharge, which lasts for about a week before clearing up. During this time, she also experiences breast tenderness and lower abdominal pain. After her period ends, she still feels itchy in her vagina. What could be causing this?First follow-up question: Additionally, during her period, she has blood clots, and the bleeding lasts for about fifteen days with vaginal pain. Is this related to the IUD insertion, or could it be something else?
Doctor's answer:
A normal menstrual cycle is 28-30 days, with a delay or advancement of one week being considered normal. A normal menstrual period lasts 3-7 days, with most lasting 3-5 days. The amount of menstrual flow varies from person to person, generally ranging from 20 to 100 milliliters. Excessive menstrual bleeding may be caused by factors such as excessive stress, environmental changes, malnutrition, and metabolic disorders, leading to functional uterine bleeding. Long-term excessive menstrual bleeding can cause anemia, and the underlying cause should be identified and treated. Of course, if menstrual bleeding is too light due to abnormal uteri or ovaries, or due to systemic diseases, this is also abnormal and should be addressed by a healthcare professional in a timely manner.