Menstruation begins between the age of 11–13 years and stops at around 45 years of age. Menstrual disorders that commonly occur are dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), pre–menstrual syndrome, post–menopausal bleeding, dysmenorrhea and leucorrhoea. Menstrual bleeding is often disturbing, debilitating and occasionally even critical.

Patterns of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Menorrhagia: Excessive bleeding, but the menstrual cycle may be of normal length.
Polymenorrhea: Episodes of bleeding occurring in less than 21 days.
Oligomenorrhea: Scanty menstruation.
Metrorrhagia: Irregular uterine bleeding at any time between menstrual periods.

Pre–Menstrual Syndrome
Approximately, 40 per cent of menstruating women suffer from premenstrual syndrome which tends to occur 3–7 days prior to the menstrual period. The symptoms are headaches, nausea, irritability, fatigue, bloating in the abdomen, edema in the feet and hands, craving for sweets, depression and tenderness in breast. These symptoms generally disappear on the onset of menstruation.

Treatment for Pre–Menstrual Syndrome

• Sympathetic understanding, reassurance with the help of behavior therapist or psychologist.
• A well–balanced diet with a restriction on salt, as water retention is quite common before the onset of menstruation.
• Use of tender coconut water, barley water, dhania water or buttermilk has a diuretic effect.
• Adequate rest and relaxation is essential. Practicing yoganidra or shavasan for 10 minutes regularly is beneficial.
• Headaches can be relieved by dry head massage followed by hot foot immersion for 20 minutes.
• Facial steam for 5–10 minutes regularly helps in providing relief from headaches.
• Warm water bath provides relaxation and relieves fatigue and irritation.
• Drinking a glass of warm milk with honey helps in getting good sleep.

Treatment for Excess Menstruation (Menorrhagia, Polymenorrhea)

• Wet girdle pack at night daily for one hour.
• Ice–cold mud packs applied on the lower abdomen at repeated intervals help check bleeding.
• Absolute bed rest with leg elevated in an ideal posture during Menorrhagia.
• Cold foot and arm baths taken frequently constrict the blood vessels supplying pelvic organs thereby reducing the bleeding.
• Preventive measures like a well–balanced diet, adequate rest, relaxation and regular physical exercises such as walking, yoga, and pranayama should be a part of the treatment.
• All other forms of treatment which improve general health mentioned in the previous pages hold good here also.
• If the bleeding continues even after symptomatic treatment, medical intervention is very essential. A gynecologist should be consulted immediately.