Amenorrhea
What is Amenorrhea?
Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period.
- Primary amenorrhea is when a young women has not yet had her menstrual period by age 16.
- Secondary amenorrhea is when a women has had her menstrual periods but stopped for at least 3 months. This includes pregnancy.
Signs of Amenorrhea
- Of course the main sign of having amenorrhea is not having a period for 3 months
- Amenorrhea is expected during pregnancy. But regular periods when you are not pregnant is a sign of good health. If you miss a couple of periods, and you are not pregnant, see a doctor. Anything that may be going wrong is best dealt with as soon as possible.
Causes of Amenorrhea
Primary Amenorrhea Causes
- Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities can cause the eggs or follicles to deplete too early in life.
- Problems with reproductive organs, hypothalamic problems, or a malfunctioning pituitary gland can be the cause
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia can cause amenorrhea
- Excessive exercise
- Extreme physical or mental stress, or a combination of the two
Secondary Amenorrhea Causes
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Some medications
- Some contraceptives
- Hormonal problems involving the hypothalamus, ovary, adrenal glands, thyroid, pituitary gland
- Extreme mental or physical stress
- Low body weight, or eating disorders
Treatment for Amenorrhea
Treatment for amenorrhea depends on its cause. If stress, weight, or physical activity is the cause, a change in lifestyle can solve the problem. In other cases, medication can be the answer. For more information, talk to your doctor.
