What Does
Eumenorrhea Mean?
Eumenorrhea is a healthy, normal menstrual period. People who have periods are said to have eumenorrhea when:
- Bleeding lasting 3-7 days,
- Occurs every 21-45 days
- Does not have any significant menstrual symptoms including pain and heavy bleeding (needing to change a pad or tampon every 1-2 hours or lasting more than 7 days.)
Eumenorrhea that occurs alongside normal ovulation provides the highest likelihood of conception when exposed to unprotected, appropriately timed sexual intercourse.
FertilitySmarts Explains Eumenorrhea
Every month, a woman’s menstrual cycle provides the opportunity for pregnancy. This occurs by releasing a mature egg from the ovaries and preparing a thick, rich lining in the uterus. This uterine lining, called the endometrium, is a mix of blood and tissues and provides a safe and nourishing environment for the fertilized egg.
However, if the egg is not fertilized, the uterine lining is triggered to shed. The shedding is what causes a monthly menstrual period, as the rich blood and tissues wash out of the uterus through the cervix and vagina. Once that layer is gone, a new layer grows in its place, preparing for the next month’s ovulation, and another chance at conception. A menstrual cycle starts on the first day of bleeding and ends the day before the next period begins.
A girl's first period, called menarche, typically occurs between the ages of 11 and 14 years old. For the first several years, the period may occur without ovulation and may be unpredictable and sporadic. However, within several years, ovulation begins, and her monthly periods begin to normalize. A healthy menstrual period will remain consistent and regular.
Typical physical and emotional symptoms may accompany a menstrual period, a condition called premenstrual syndrome or PMS. These symptoms can include:
- Cramping
- Lower back pain
- Bloating
- Irritability
- Sore breasts
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Acne breakouts
However, any extreme or debilitating symptoms may indicate an underlying issue or abnormality. Standard menstrual symptoms should not prevent any person from standard daily activities.
Disorders of the menstrual system may disrupt a woman’s fertility. A physician should evaluate the following occurrences:
- Amenorrhea, the absence of a period
- Oligomenorrhea, an irregular period
- Metrorrhagia, intermittent bleeding between menstrual periods
- Menorrhagia, excessive bleeding
- Menometrorrhagia, irregular timing, and excessive bleeding
- Dysmenorrhea, painful periods