Identifying Ovarian Cancer: Missed Period

There are two ovaries in women’s body on either side of uterus. Just like uterus, ovaries are part of the female reproductive mechanism. Ovary glands bear the responsibility of producing estrogen and progesterone hormones among others.

Ovarian cancer is a deadly medical condition, which is a further stage of ovarian cyst and tumor. Both these conditions, if not treated on time, are risk factors of becoming a cancerous growth. However, in most cases, they are not a malignant medical condition. Most women are not even aware that they have ovarian cyst or ulcer.

But, due to some factors such as genetics or family history, age, and irregular menstruation (missed period), ovarian cyst and tumor might develop into ovarian cancer.

Missed Period

A missed period is when your period misses a complete cycle. The gap of days between two menstrual cycles is typically 21 to 35 days. That is common and safe if a cycle starts few days early or late. Sometimes, missing a complete cycle is not a concern.

Missing a menstrual cycle can be an outcome of stress, exercise, low body fat and pregnancy. Hormonal disturbances may also disturb a period cycle.

Did you know, ovarian cancer can happen is any part of the ovarian gland?

In rarest cases, missed periods are found to have a link with ovarian cancer. However, the medical science accepts that missed cycle can increase the risk of this disease. In fact, women who have a long and regular history of irregular periods, are twice more likely to suffer from ovarian cancer.

Additionally, menstrual pain is also enlisted as one of the potential risk factors for ovarian cancer. The technical term for menstrual pain is dysmenorrheal. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, when in acute dysmenorrheal, women’s reproductive system produces inflammatory molecules in increased number. And one of causes of ovarian or many other types of cancer is “inflammation”.

However, there is no denying that menstrual pain is just not all about inflammation. So, here again, it can be said that the chances of ovarian cancer due to a menstrual disturbance or irregularity are fairly low.

However, it is advisable that even a single symptom of acute pain or irregularity during menstrual cycle should be taken to the doctor, so the right approach of treatment can be ensured and all such possibility of ovarian cancer can be eliminated.