The absence of the onset of menstruation is primary amenorrhea. It is diagnosed if menstruation does not occur by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea occurs in menstruating women who suddenly stop having periods. Pregnancy and breast feeding are normal causes of secondary amenorrhea.
Amenorrhea sustained by breast feeding does not inhibit the ability to get pregnant. Amenorrhea for any other reason is a sign of infertility and can be caused by any number of reasons. The diagnosis for amenorrhea can be a rather involved process, but treatment is possible once a cause has been determined.
A series of blood tests and imaging procedures, such as ultrasound, may be done to aid in diagnosing amenorrhea. Once the cause is determined, your physician may most likely prescribe medication to regulate your hormone levels. Since the causes of amenorrhea are numerous, and people's responses to medication vary, finding the right treatment may be an involved process. Any of the following methods may be used to treat amenorrhea.
Oral Contraceptives
Your physician may prescribe oral contraceptives or other hormone therapy to stimulate menstruation. Hormone therapy can help regulate the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.
Synthetic Thyroid Hormones
Your physician may prescribe synthetic thyroid hormone if hypothyroidism is the cause of amenorrhea. If the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland will continue to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). When high levels of FSH accumulate in the blood, ovulation cannot take place and menstruation may not occur.
Weight Loss
If you are obese, your physician may suggest that you lose weight. Obesity can lead to polycystic ovarian syndrome which may cause amenorrhea and infertility. This is due to the high estrogen levels that obese women are more likely to experience. Elevated estrogen levels can prevent the production of FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH), two hormones that influence the menstrual cycle.
Appropriate Caloric Intake
Eat a nutritional diet that provides enough calories to sustain your lifestyle. Women who do not take in enough calories are likely to suffer from amenorrhea. Too much exercise can also be a cause.
Stress Reduction
Practice stress-reducing techniques. Those who suffer greatly from stress can have amenorrhea that is caused by the underproduction of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is responsible for stimulating the production of hormones that play a key role in the menstrual cycle.
It is important to work with your physician and to follow his or her instructions. Finding the right treatment using the correct combination of medications may be a rather involved process including trial-and-error, and can be difficult because it is not the same for everyone.
Related Articles
Amenorrhea and Its Significance: Causes of Primary and Secondary Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea Diagnosis and Treatment: Blood Testing, Imaging, and Hormone Regulation
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