Amenorrhea (Absence of menstrual periods)

Amenorrhea is the medical term for absence of menstrual periods. Amenorrhea is abnormal except before puberty, during pregnancy and early breastfeeding, and after menopause. Any woman who misses more than three periods in a year’s time should see a doctor to find the cause.

Causes of amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is called primary if a woman hasn’t started menstruating by age 16 years. Primary amenorrhea is usually due to genetic or reproductive organ problems that are present at birth but not noticed until puberty. 

Amenorrhea is called secondary if a woman who has had periods in the past loses her period for at least six months.  Pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea. Another common cause is early menopause, also called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Hypothalamic amenorrhea occurs when the hypothalamus in the brain slows or stops releasing GnRH, the hormone that controls the menstrual cycle. Women typically affected are those with eating disorders or who are athletes, such as ballet dancers, figure skaters, and runners. What they have in common is

• low body weight
• a low percentage of body fat
• a very low calorie or fat intake
• emotional stress
• strenuous exercise that burns more calories than are taken in through food
• some medical conditions or illnesses.
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Treatment

Treatment of amenorrhea varies depending on the cause. It could involve changes in lifestyle such as gaining or losing weight, exercising less intensely, or reducing stress, medication, surgery to correct abnormalities in reproductive organs, or a combination of approaches. Some women take birth control pills to regulate their periods. These medications, which combine estrogen and progesterone, maintain balanced levels of the hormones in the body.

Prolonged amenorrhea may increase the risk of bone loss, so taking calcium and vitamin D supplements is recommended. Women with hypothalamic amenorrhea also need to gain weight or correct other underlying problems to keep their bones strong.\

Visit your gynaecologist... for further management...