Why is a woman’s menstrual cycle so important?
Physician investigators funded by the National Institutes of Health have determined through years of research that a woman’s menstrual health can be used as an indicator of her overall health. To make this point memorable to patients and their doctors we have been using the phrase “The Menstrual Cycle Is a Vital Sign ®”. There may be adverse health effects associated with irregular or interrupted periods. When not brought on by pregnancy or contraception, menstrual irregularities may be a sign of a larger health problem.
What is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency and how does it relate to the menstrual cycle?
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) a.k.a Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) or (sometimes incorrectly called Early Menopause or Premature Menopause) is a disease that affects women under the age of 40. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency means that a woman’s ovaries have stopped functioning normally. A very common symptom of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency is menstrual irregularities such as missed periods, thus making Primary Ovarian Insufficiency one of the major health problems that is closely tied to the menstrual cycle. Although there are many disorders or diseases that can cause a woman to suffer menstrual irregularities, Rachel’s Well has Primary Ovarian Insufficiency as its main focus. Click here to learn more about Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.