A regular menstruation is a sign that the uterus is functioning properly and ovulation is occurring. However, a woman's menstrual cycle can sometimes be abnormal. For example, some women tend to experience dysmenorrhea, i.e., heavier bleeding compared to a normal period.
"Other women are prone to amenorrhea, a disorder that we are addressing today. Perhaps you have heard this somewhat alarming term in connection with a pregnancy or a confirmed menopause."
Amenorrhea can occur in any woman at different times in her life.
What is actually amenorrhea? What are its symptoms? How is it treated when it occurs outside of pregnancy or menopause? Should we be concerned about it?
"We tell you everything you need to know about amenorrhea."
Amenorrhea: What is it?
Definition
"According to a study, the phenomenon of amenorrhea affects 2 to 5% of all women in France! But what exactly is this disorder that so many people are affected by?"
Simply put, amenorrhea is primarily characterized by the absence of menstrual bleeding in women of childbearing age. Women tend to feel more anxious when experiencing amenorrhea than when they have an irregular period. In fact, the absence of menstruation can be a sign of an unwanted pregnancy or a disease.
There are two different types of amenorrhea in women:
- Primary Amenorrhea: In women, primary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation after the completion of puberty (at 16 years of age).
- Secondary Amenorrhea: In this case, the woman has already menstruated, i.e. she has had her period, but has not had a menstrual bleed for at least 3 consecutive months.
Secondary amenorrhea is more common than primary amenorrhea. Apparently, it is expected to occur at least once in a woman's life, except for natural reasons such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and confirmed menopause.
causes
Amenorrhea can be an indication of certain health problems in women. Therefore, it is important to correctly diagnose the cause in order to restore the body's hormonal balance with the help of the appropriate treatment.
Primary amenorrhea can be attributed to various causes:
- Malformation of the uterus or vagina.
- Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome.
- genital tuberculosis.
- Hypothalamus-Pituitary Tumors.
Possible causes of secondary amenorrhea:
- Thyroid disease.
- "Use of hormonal contraceptives. Some birth control pills reduce blood flow to the point of complete cessation."
- "Do not use any contraceptives anymore. After that, the body may need some time to return to a regular ovulation cycle and thus to a normal menstrual cycle."
- Overproduction of the hormone prolactin by the pituitary gland. This hormone enables the growth of the breast tissue. An overproduction of prolactin can be attributed to a benign tumor or the intake of medications.
"It is also important to know the factors that promote amenorrhea:"
- Anorexia.
- Significant weight gain.
- Chronic stress.
- An unbalanced diet.
- Too intense sport.
During a pregnancy
In normal cases, if your period is absent, you will first be asked to take a pregnancy test. This is the most common cause of missed menstrual periods in women of childbearing age. Using period underwear is useful in this case to recognize the volume and frequency of your menstrual flow or discharge.
Sexually active women are advised to take a pregnancy test starting from the 8th day after their due period, even if they are using protection and are sure they are not pregnant.
Symptoms of Amenorrhea
The main symptom of amenorrhea is, of course, the absence of menstruation for a period of at least 3 months. However, other symptoms may also occur, such as:
- Headache.
- hot flashes.
What to do in case of amenorrhea?
Make a diagnosis
Amenorrhea is diagnosed after 3 consecutive months without a menstrual period. If you notice this phenomenon in yourself, there is no need to panic at first. Most of the time, the cause is benign.
"If you or your child has not had a period by the age of 16, you should see a gynecologist to find out why this is the case and to receive appropriate treatment. Primary amenorrhea often has genetic causes."
"However, if you are suffering from amenorrhea combined with other symptoms and your pregnancy test has come back negative, you should definitely see your gynecologist. The specialist will likely prescribe you a progestin test to determine the secretion of estradiol, the hormone released by the ovaries, and to check whether the uterine lining is properly absorbing the estrogens."
The right treatment
The treatment of amenorrhea is usually quite simple. In most cases, it is not necessary to prescribe treatment; a few weeks of patience are sufficient.
"Here are a few simple and natural tips to help bring back menstruation, such as:"
- Pay attention to a healthy and balanced diet if necessary.
- "Try to reduce stress factors when you are going through a difficult phase."
- Reduce your physical activities if they are intense.
- Avoid overweight and try not to gain weight.
Even though the problem usually resolves itself in most cases, there are still some cases that require treatment.
Removal of uterus and ovaries
In this case, hormone treatment is necessary. Hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed if the uterus and ovaries have been removed. This procedure may be necessary in cases of diffuse skeletal disease or also in endometriosis.
malformations
In the most severe cases, i.e. in the case of malformations of the reproductive organs, a surgical intervention may be necessary. This treatment is easier to perform if the hymen is still intact.
Important: If you are suffering from amenorrhea and pregnancy or early menopause have been ruled out, you should definitely consult your gynecologist. He can identify the cause of the problem and prescribe you appropriate medical treatment.
