• Pregnancy and pregnancy complications
• Hormonal imbalance
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Certain forms of contraception
• Uterine disorders (including fibroids and polyps)
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Thyroid disorders
• Uterine, ovarian or cervical cancer (or cancer treatments)

Many other conditions may cause menstrual problems, as can other factors such as stress, weight and the use of certain medications.

When should I talk to my doctor about my menstrual symptoms?

If you are experiencing irregular cycles, new or severe symptoms or are just concerned with the way you feel during any part of your cycle, you should discuss these matters with your doctor.  Let your doctor know about any menstrual changes that occur abruptly or become progressively worse.


Can tampon use contribute to any problems?

Yes. During menstruation, prolonged tampon use has been associated with an extremely rare infection called toxic shock syndrome. To avoid this, women should follow the tampon package instructions, change their tampons frequently and use the lowest-absorbency tampon possible for their menstrual flow.