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Understanding period terms
Periods are a normal part of life for many. But do you know your PMS from your PMDD?
Understanding more about periods can help you to spot issues and get the right support when you need it. Or it could help you to care for a loved one who has a period. Here, I delve into period terms and what they mean.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
PMS describes a range of symptoms that some women experience the week or two before their period starts (in the luteal phase). The symptoms can sometimes continue into the first few days of your period.
Over 150 different psychological, physical, and behavioural symptoms are thought to be linked with PMS. These symptoms can disrupt normal daily life.
Some examples include:
- feeling low
- anxiety
- irritability
- loss of confidence
- mood swings
- bloating
- breast pain
- nausea
- headaches
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
PMDD is often described as ‘severe PMS’. It’s classified as a mental health problem.
PMDD symptoms can have a massive impact on your life, work and relationships. Lots of PMS symptoms also occur with PMDD, but PMDD is much more severe. For example, if you have PMDD you may be very upset, have suicidal thoughts and feel hopeless.
PMDD needs treatment, so it’s important to speak to a GP if you are experiencing symptoms. A GP can also help if PMS is having a negative impact on your life.
Menorrhagia
This is the medical term for heavy periods. It’s also sometimes called ‘hypermenorrhea’. Heavy bleeding can make it difficult to carry out your daily activities, such as working, shopping, or going out.
Regularly losing more than 80ml blood is considered a heavy period. But this can be hard to track. The following are signs of a heavy period.
- You bleed through your clothes or bedding.
- You need to change your pad or tampon very often, such as every hour.
- You need to use two sanitary products at the same time.
- You pass large blood clots.
If heavy periods are having a negative impact on your life, seek help from a GP.
Dysmenorrhea
This term is used to describe painful periods. You may feel painful cramps before your period, during, or both. The pain can usually be felt in your tummy, back, or thighs.
Dysmenorrhea is common. You might find it’s mild and easy to manage. But for some it can be severe and affect day-to-day activities.
Dysmenorrhea can be caused by your womb contracting during your period.
- Primary dysmenorrhoea generally starts 6 to 12 months after your first period (called menarche) and is generally not associated with an underlying gynaecological disorder.
- Secondary dysmenorrhoea often starts after several years of painless periods and is caused by other disorders such as endometriosis.
If the pain is affecting your daily life, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
Amenorrhea
When you don’t have a period, it’s called amenorrhea.
- Primary amenorrhoea is when you don’t have your first period by the expected age – usually around 15 to 16 years old.
- Secondary amenorrhoea is when you’ve been having periods and then they stop. This could be missing three periods in a row or not having a period for 6 months or more.
There are lots of reasons why your period might stop, such as pregnancy, stress, or illness. But there could also be an underlying issue, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Hypomenorrhea
This is the opposite of menorrhagia. Hypomenorrhea is used to describe extremely light periods – under 30ml per period. This could be your typical period. But if this isn’t your norm, it could be a sign of a problem.
Oligomenorrhea and polymenorrhea
Oligomenorrhea is the term for infrequent periods. This is when you have periods less than every 35 days or around nine periods or less per year.
Polymenorrhea is when you have very frequent periods – more often than every 21 days.
These cycle lengths may be typical for some people. Or it may happen due to things like perimenopause. For some there might be an underlying condition, like PCOS.
Metrorrhagia
This term is used to describe irregular and unpredictable bleeding, that occurs between periods. This can happen for many reasons and might not be anything to worry about. But sometimes it’s a sign of a more serious condition so it’s important to see a doctor.
It’s a good idea to see a GP if you’re worried about any of the above. Sometimes small lifestyle changes can help to improve your periods, such as eating a healthier diet, reducing stress, and moving more. Or there might be something that needs investigation and treatment.
It might also help to keep a period diary to record your symptoms and track any changes.
If you have heavy, painful, or irregular periods, you’ll know just how disruptive they can be, both physically and mentally. With our Period Plan, you don’t have to face these problems alone.
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Sources Sources
- Premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder. Summary. BMJ Best Practice. bestpractice.bmj.com, last reviewed June 2024
- Premenstrual syndrome. Background information. Definition. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS). cks.nice.org.uk, last revised May 2019
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). About PMDD. Mind. mind.org.uk, last revised August 2021
- Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). Background information. Definition. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS). cks.nice.org.uk, last revised February 2024
- Heavy periods. Woman’s health concern. womens-health-concern.org, published November 2022
- Dysmenorrhoea. Summary. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS). cks.nice.org.uk, last revised October 2023
- Amenorrhoea. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS). cks.nice.org.uk, last revised February 2024
- Hypomenorrhea: Light periods. SheCares. shecares.com, updated September 2022
- Amenorrhoea and Oligomenorrhoea. TeachMe ObGyn. teachmeobgyn.com, last updated April 2022
- Polymenorrhea: Frequent periods/Short cycles. SheCares. shecares.com, updated September 2022
- Metrorrhagia: Spotting between Periods. SheCares. shecares.com, updated September 2022
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