Menstrual disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting the menstrual cycle, including heavy bleeding, irregular periods, and absent periods.
Heavy bleeding, unpredictable cycles, and debilitating pain are not just inconveniences. They can signal underlying conditions that are treatable, and in some cases have implications for fertility and long-term health. Dr Rozen takes a thorough approach to investigating menstrual disorders, looking for the root cause rather than simply managing symptoms.
Her practice is a place where patients can discuss concerns they may have been told to simply put up with, and leave with a clear understanding of what is happening and what can be done about it.
Menstrual disorders can arise from a range of underlying causes, including:
Symptoms that may indicate a menstrual disorder include:
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and each patient’s individual circumstances and goals. Options include:
The contraceptive pill or progesterone IUDs can be used to regulate or lighten periods and manage hormonal imbalances contributing to menstrual irregularities.
NSAIDs can help manage pain and reduce menstrual flow. Iron supplements may be recommended for patients experiencing anaemia as a result of heavy blood loss.
Where uterine abnormalities such as fibroids or polyps are contributing to symptoms, surgical intervention may be recommended. Options include removal of fibroids and endometrial ablation, depending on the underlying cause and fertility goals.
Diet, exercise, and weight management can play a meaningful role, particularly where conditions like PMOS/PCOS are contributing to menstrual irregularities.
For patients whose menstrual disorder has affected fertility, ART options including IVF may be considered as part of a broader treatment plan.
Heavy bleeding, irregular cycles, and severe period pain are often dismissed as something to simply live with. Dr Rozen investigates thoroughly to identify the underlying cause, rather than only managing symptoms, so patients get an accurate explanation for what is happening.
Management is shaped by each patient’s individual circumstances, including whether they are hoping to conceive. Dr Rozen weighs hormonal, surgical, and lifestyle options against each patient’s fertility plans and overall health goals.
Many menstrual disorders are ongoing conditions that need monitoring rather than a single fix. Dr Rozen continues to support patients over time, adapting the management plan as symptoms, fertility goals, or life stage change.
“Too many women are told that painful or heavy periods are just something they have to live with. In my experience, that’s rarely true. There is almost always something worth investigating, and usually something that can be done.”
– Dr Genia Rozen, Fertility Specialist, Genea Melbourne City and Frankston
