| |
 |
| |
| Amenorrhea |
| |
| What is amenorrhea? |
- Amenorrhea is a menstrual condition characterized by absent menstrual
periods for more than three monthly menstrual cycles. Amenorrhea may
be classified as primary or secondary.
- Primary amenorrhea - from the beginning and usually lifelong;
menstruation never begins at puberty.
Secondary amenorrhea - due to some physical cause and usually
of later onset; a condition in which menstrual periods which were at
one time normal and regular become increasing abnormal and irregular
or absent.
|
| |
| What are the causes of amenorrhea? |
| There are several possible causes of amenorrhea,
including the following: |
- Pregnancy: Women no longer ovulate when they are pregnant,
thus menstruation ceases temporarily.
- Ovulation abnormality: Ovulation abnormalities are usually
the cause of very irregular or frequently missed menstrual periods.
- Birth defect, anatomical abnormality, or other medical condition:
If a young woman has not started to menstruate by the age of 16, a birth
defect, anatomical abnormality, or other medical condition may be suspected
- Eating disorder Women with anorexia nervosa (or simply anorexia)
and/or bulimia nervosa (or simply bulimia): often experience amenorrhea
as a result of maintaining a body weight that would be too low to sustain
a pregnancy. As a result, as a form of protection for the body, the
reproductive system "shuts down" because it is severely malnourished.
- Overexercise or strenuous exercise: Many young women athletes
in training experience absent menstrual cycles due to low body fat content.
- Thyroid disorder: In many cases, an underactive thyroid gland
(a condition called hypothyroidism in which the thyroid gland is producing
insufficient amounts of the thyroid hormone) or an overactive thyroid
gland (a condition called hyperthyroidism in which the thyroid gland
secretes too much thyroid hormone - resulting in too much thyroid hormone
in the bloodstream and overactivity of the body's metabolism) is responsible
for the absent menstrual cycles
- Obesity: Women who are obese often experience amenorrhea as
a result of excess fat cells interfering with the process of ovulation.
|
| |
| How does a doctor diagnose amenorrhea? |
| A gynecologist will be able to take a detailed medical
history and do a complete physical examination of the woman, including a
pelvic examination. A diagnosis of amenorrhea can only be certain when the
doctor rules out other menstrual disorders, medical conditions, or medications
that may be causing or aggravating the condition. In addition, a diagnosis
of amenorrhea requires that a woman should have missed at least three consecutive
menstrual cycles, without being pregnant. Young women who have not had their
first menstrual period by the age of 16 should be evaluated promptly, because
an early diagnosis and treatment is very important. |
| |
| What is the treatment for amenorrhea? |
| Treatment for amenorrhea will have to be as advised
by a doctor or more specifically a gynaecologist. It may include: |
- Progesterone supplements (hormone treatment)
- Oral contraceptives (ovulation inhibitors)
- Dietary modifications (to include increased caloric and fat intake)
|
| In most cases, the doctor will induce menstruation
in non-pregnant women who have missed two or more consecutive menstrual
periods, because of the danger posed to the uterus if the non-fertilized
egg and endometrium lining are not expelled. The risk of uterine cancer
increases if this monthly expulsion does not take place. |
| |
FAQs