Q My mother is 45 years old and she recently has irregular but frequent menstruation episodes. Each lasts from one to two days.

She does not have a heavy period - just slight staining. Is this a symptom of menopause or is it something more serious?

Are there menstruation-related diseases and should she consult a specialist?

A Regular monthly menstruation is the result of the interplay of several organs and the hormones secreted by them.

The ovaries contain tiny eggs that grow in response to hormones secreted by the brain. As the eggs grow, they secrete hormones that cause thickening of the inner lining of the womb in preparation for pregnancy.

Irregular menstruation is common in women of all ages. From your query, it looks like your mother is having frequent but light periods. This is quite common in women her age and is usually a result of hormonal changes that occur a few years prior to menopause.

As the number of eggs in the ovaries declines, the brain needs to secrete greater quantities of hormones to make the eggs grow. This makes the egg ripen faster than usual, resulting in shorter menstrual cycles (in other words, frequent menses).

This most likely explains your mother's symptoms. However, all menstrual abnormalities in women older than 40 years should be investigated to rule out any serious problems, so it is best to consult a specialist.

Dr Anupriya Agarwal

Dr Anupriya Agarwal is an associate consultant at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the National University Hospital

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.