Oligomenorrhea

What is oligomenorrhea?

“Oligomenorrhea” is the medical term for having infrequent menstrual periods. This means your periods are over 35 days apart. Or you have fewer than six to eight periods a year. Oligomenorrhea is a type of abnormal uterine bleeding.

If your periods are hard to predict, you’re not alone. Around 12% to 15% of females who menstruate have oligomenorrhea at some point. About 10% to 20% of women with infertility have it.

But this doesn’t mean you just have to deal with it. Talk to a gynecologist. They can run some tests to find the cause and offer treatments.

What are the most common causes of oligomenorrhea?

A regular menstrual cycle requires a careful balance of hormones. So, conditions that create hormonal imbalances are common causes of oligomenorrhea. Infections and structural issues can cause oligomenorrhea, too, like Asherman’s syndrome and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Causes include:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Your ovaries make excess androgens. About 75% to 85% of people with PCOS have oligomenorrhea.
• Androgen-secreting tumors: Tumors on your ovaries or adrenal glands make excess androgens.
• Cushing’s syndrome: Your body makes too much cortisol.
• Prolactinoma: A tumor on your pituitary gland makes too much prolactin.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency: Your ovaries stop making estrogen earlier than expected.
• Hyperthyroidism: Your thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone.
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Your body doesn’t make an enzyme that your adrenal glands need to make hormones.
• Certain medications: Birth control pills, antipsychotics and antiseizure medications can affect the timing of your period.
• Eating disorders: Conditions like bulimia, anorexia and binge eating can lead to nutritional deficiencies that prevent or delay your period.
• Extreme physical activity: Overexerting yourself can make it difficult for your body to carry out processes like menstruation.
• Stress: Significant stress can create hormonal imbalances that affect your period.

Related symptoms of oligomenorrhea

You may have other symptoms alongside oligomenorrhea, depending on the underlying cause. PCOS is a common cause. Other symptoms of this condition include:

• Abnormal body hair growth
• Acne
• Darkening of your skin
• Skin tags
• Thinning scalp hair

How is oligomenorrhea treated?

Treatment for oligomenorrhea depends on the cause. Treatment could include:

• Hormone therapy: Your healthcare provider may prescribe birth control pills or other hormone treatments if a hormone imbalance is the underlying cause.
• Surgery: You may need surgery to treat the cause, such as the removal of tumors that make excess androgens.
• Lifestyle changes: You may need to adjust your eating plan and physical activity. Nutritional deficiencies or strenuous activities can cause infrequent periods.

What are the possible complications of not treating it?

Oligomenorrhea isn’t a serious problem on its own. Still, it’s important to find out what’s causing it in case you have a condition that can lead to complications.

For instance, untreated PID and PCOS can lead to infertility. And not shedding your uterine lining regularly because of oligomenorrhea may put you at risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you regularly go more than 35 days between periods, see a healthcare provider. Missing or delayed periods aren’t normal. It’s important to find what’s causing the problem to prevent long-term complications.

It may be helpful to ask your provider the following questions:

• Should I be concerned about my infrequent periods?
• Could this negatively impact my fertility?
• What treatment options are available if I want to get pregnant?
• Will I have to continue hormone treatments long term?

How to track your periods

Before your visit, track your periods. This will help you answer your provider’s questions about what’s typical for you. Try to keep track of:

• The exact days when you stop and start your period
• How heavy your bleeding is, like how often you change your pad or tampon
• Any symptoms you’re experiencing before, during and after your period

How is oligomenorrhea different from other types of irregular periods?

Oligomenorrhea refers to infrequent periods. Amenorrhea refers to the absence of periods. With amenorrhea, you never get your period. Or you get your period and then stop menstruating for at least three months.

Menorrhagia is heavy menstrual bleeding. It’s possible to have this alongside oligomenorrhea. You could have periods more than 35 days apart, but have a lot of bleeding when you do get your period.