Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Amenorrhea of menstruation is known as  Absence.

There are two types of   Amenorrhea 

1. Primary Amenorrhea
2. Secondary Amenorrhea

Primary amenorrhea develops by age of 16 years.

Secondary amenorrhea is developing in those women who has affected with primary amenorrhea. There are no menstrual periods by age of 16years in case of primary amenorrhea. But in secondary amenorrhea, you stopped having menstrual periods. If you have no menstrual periods, pregnancy may be first reason. There are so many reasons for irregular menstrual periods.

Amenorrhea is a serious health problem of women. Your health care providers can be found the problem by your feelings and medical history.

Causes of Amenorrhea

Causes of Primary Amenorrhea

Lack of reproductive organs - Sometimes problems arise during fetal development that lead to a baby girl being born without some major part of her reproductive system, such as her uterus, cervix or vagina.

Chromosomal abnormalities - Certain chromosomal abnormalities can cause a premature depletion of the eggs and follicles involved in ovulation and menstruation.

Structural abnormality of the vagina - An obstruction of the vagina may prevent menstrual periods from occurring. A membrane or wall may be present in the vagina that blocks the outflow of blood from the uterus and cervix.

Problems with the hypothalamus - Hypothalamus is the area in brain that regulates menstrual periods. Eating disorders, more exercise and psychological stress can be affected the hypothalamus.

Causes of secondary Amenorrhea

Breast-feeding - Mothers who breast-feed often experience amenorrhea. Although ovulation may occur, menstruation may not. Pregnancy can result despite the lack of menstruation.

Pregnancy - Pregnancy is the main cause of secondary amenorrhea.

Medication - Medications such as antipsychotic, antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs may causes of amenorrhea.

Stress - Stress can temporarily alter the functioning of your hypothalamus - an area of your brain that controls the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. Ovulation and menstruation may stop as a result. Regular menstrual periods usually resume after your stress decreases.

More exercise and low body weight.

Symptoms of Amenorrhea

Symptoms of Amenorrhea are headache, discharge of milky nipple, hair loss, and increase in facial hair or vision changes.

Diagnosis of Amenorrhea

• Blood tests may be performed to determine the levels of hormones secreted by the pituitary gland (FSH, LH, TSH, and prolactin) and the ovaries (estrogen).
• Ultrasonography of the pelvis may be performed to assess the abnormalities of the genital tract or to look for polycystic ovaries.
• CT scan or MRI of the head may be performed to exclude pituitary and hypothalamic causes of amenorrhea.
• Thyroid function tests

Treatment of Amenorrhea

Treatment of Amenorrhea depends on the causing of the amenorrhea. Your doctor may suggest that you make changes to your lifestyle depending on your weight, physical activity or stress level. If you have PCOS or athletic amenorrhea, your doctor may prescribe oral contraceptives to treat the problem.

Medications are also effective to treat, in case of amenorrhea developed by pituitary problems and thyroid.

Prevention Tips of Amenorrhea

• Maintain your health lifestyle.
• Take balanced diet.
• Decrease your stress level.
• Take more rest.