What term describes a menstrual cycle occurring more frequently than every 21 days?

Polymenorrhea is the term used to describe a menstrual cycle that occurs more frequently than every 21 days. In this context, it implies a regular occurrence of menstruation at shorter intervals, suggesting that the cycles are coming too often. This condition can be associated with various underlying health issues, such as hormonal imbalances or certain gynecological disorders.

Oligomenorrhea, in contrast, refers to infrequent menstruation, where a person has cycles that are spaced farther apart—typically, fewer than six to eight cycles in a year. Menorrhagia pertains to excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, rather than the frequency of the cycle. Dysmenorrhea relates to painful menstruation, which focuses on the discomfort experienced rather than the cycle's timing. Thus, the specificity of polymenorrhea accurately captures the characteristic of more frequent menstrual cycles.