Amenorrhea – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Amenorrhea – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments  of this condition In addition, Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding. Amenorrhea is a normal feature in prepubertal, pregnant and postmenopausal females. In women of reproductive age, the diagnosis of amenorrhea is a matter of determining whether pregnancy is the etiology. In the absence of pregnancy , the challenge is to determine the exact cause of the missed period.

Primary amenorrhea is the failure of menstruation to occur by age 16, in the presence of normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics. If, by age 13, menstruation has not occurred and the onset of puberty, such as breast development, is absent, treatment for primary amenorrhea should begin.

Secondary amenorrhea is defined as the cessation of menstruation sometime after menarche has occurred. Oligomenorrhea is defined as menstruation occurring at intervals more than 35 days apart. No consensus has been reached as to the point at which oligomenorrhea becomes amenorrhea .

Some authors suggest that the absence of menstruation for 6 months constitutes amenorrhea , but the basis for this recommendation is unclear. For a postmenarchal girl or woman of childbearing age to experience a menstrual cycle interval  of more than 90 days is statistically uncommon. Practically speaking, this should be an indication for an assessment to look for the cause. So, check now  Amenorrhea – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments:

What is Amenorrhea:  It is the absence of menstruation – one or more missed menstrual periods. Women who missed at least three menstrual periods followed Amenorrhea , as did girls who did not start menstruating by age 15.

Main Causes:  The most common cause is pregnancy . Other causes of amenorrhea include problems with the reproductive organs or the glands that help regulate hormone levels. Treating the underlying condition usually resolves Amenorrhea . Amenorrheacan occur for a variety of reasons . Some are normal during the course of a woman’s life, while others can be a side effect of medication or a sign of a medical problem.

Natural Amenorrhea:  During the normal course of your life, you may experience Amenorrhea for natural reasons such as:

• Pregnancy
• Breast-feeding
• Menopause

Birth Control:  Some women who take birth control pills may not have periods. Even after stopping oral contraceptives, it may take some time before regular observation of ovulation and menstruation. Contraceptives that are injected or implanted can also cause amenorrhea , as can some types of intrauterine devices.

Medications: Certain medications can cause menstrual periods to stop, including some types of:

• Antipsychotics
• cancer chemotherapy
• antidepressants
• Medicines against blood pressure
• Allergy medications

Main Symptoms:  The main symptom is the absence of menstrual periods. Depending on the cause, you may experience other signs or symptoms along with an absence of periods, such as:

• milky nipple discharge
• hair loss
• Headache
• changes in vision
• excess facial hair
• pelvic pain
• Acne

When to See a Doctor:  See your doctor if you’ve missed at least three periods in a row, or if you’ve never had a period and are 15 or older.

Risk Factors:  Factors that can increase your risk of amenorrhea may include:

• Family history. If other women in your family have experienced amenorrhea , you may have an inherited predisposition to the problem.
• Eating disorders. If you have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, you are at a higher risk of developing amenorrhea .
• Athletic training. Rigorous athletic training can increase your risk of amenorrhea .

Complications of Amenorrhea:  Complications can include:

• Infertility. If you don’t ovulate and have menstrual periods, you can’t get pregnant.
• Osteoporosis. If yours is caused by low estrogen levels, you may also be at risk for osteoporosis – a weakening of your bones.

Treatments:  Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your Amenorrhea . In some cases, birth control pills or other hormone therapies can restart your menstrual cycles . Amenorrhea caused by thyroid or pituitary disorders can be treated with medication. If a tumor or structural blockage is causing the problem, surgery may be necessary.

Prevention:  Certain lifestyle factors – such as too much exercise or too little food – can cause Amenorrhea , so try to balance work, play, and rest. Assess areas of stress and conflict in your life. If you can’t reduce stress on your own, ask family, friends, or your doctor for help.

Be aware of changes in your menstrual cycles  and check with your doctor if you have concerns. Keep a record of when your periods occur. Note the date your period starts, how long it lasts, and any troublesome symptoms you experience.