Which term describes infrequent bleeding with a cycle interval greater than 35 days?

• A. Polymenorrhea
• B. Oligomenorrhea
• C. Menorrhagia
• D. Mittelschmerz

Answer: (B)

When thinking about menstrual pattern, clinicians look at how long the cycle lasts. A normal cycle runs roughly 21 to 35 days. If menses occur infrequently with intervals longer than 35 days, this pattern is called oligomenorrhea. It reflects less frequent ovulation or hormonal irregularity, leading to sparse menstrual bleeds.

In contrast:

• Polymenorrhea means cycles are too frequent, with intervals shorter than about 21 days.

• Menorrhagia describes heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, regardless of cycle length.

• Mittelschmerz refers to mid-cycle ovulatory pain, not a description of the bleeding interval.

So the description of infrequent bleeding with a cycle interval greater than 35 days aligns with oligomenorrhea.