Amenorrhea – Causes and Treatment
While pregnancy is one of the major causes of missing periods, absence of menstrual bleeding can also develop due to other reasons. Absence of menstrual bleeding is known as amenorrhea. There are two categories of amenorrhea – primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea.
Primary amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea is a serious health disorder, which affects a small number of adolescence girls. If menstruation does not occur during adolescence, by the time a girl is 16 years old, she might be suffering from primary amenorrhea. Genetic abnormality, problems in the hypothalamus or pituitary glands, vaginal abnormality or absence of reproductive organs could be responsible for this condition.
Secondary amenorrhea
If menstruation suddenly stops in a woman, who was menstruating normally earlier, it is known as secondary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea is a natural symptom of pregnancy. Although ovulation could occur during breastfeeding, menstruation might stop for a brief period during lactation. Intake of oral contraceptives could inhibit regular menstruation. Amenorrhea or irregular periods could be a symptom of polycystic ovarysyndrome . Excessively underweight women could experience amenorrhea. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia could impair the hormonal balance or obstruct hormone secretion, stopping menstruation. Vigorous physical activities could disturb the menstruation cycle. Amenorrhea is common among athletes, especially long distance runners and gymnasts. Tumor in the pituitary gland and hypothyroidism are associated with amenorrhea. Excess stress could adversely affect the activities of the hypothalamus for a short period, leading to amenorrhea. Amenorrhea before 40 could be a sign of primary ovarian insufficiency or premature menopause in which the egg supply decreases. Amenorrhea could develop from uterine scarring after cesarean section or a uterine surgery.
Amenorrhea treatment
Amenorrhea could be cured by treating the underlying condition that obstructs the menstrual period. If intake of oral contraceptive pills disrupt your periods, you should stop taking the pills. It would take about two to three months to restore the menstruation after stopping the contraceptive pills. Amenorrhea developing from polycystic ovary syndrome could be treated by taking contraceptive pills. Treating eating disorders and gaining normal body mass index could help to normalize your menstrual cycle. Your physician would prescribe medications for treating thyroid malfunction or hormonal imbalance. Practicing relaxation techniques could help to cure amenorrhea resulting from excess stress.
