Amenorrhea refers to a condition in which menstruation become absent or you may miss your menstrual periods one or more time. If periods are absent in someone at the age of 15 then we can say that she may have primary amenorrhea.
Hormones levels primarily are associated with the condition of primary amenorrhea. But there are some anatomical issues that can lead to amenorrhea.
When someone gets periods normally and they become absent continuously for more than two times, then we can say that she is getting the condition of secondary amenorrhea. Problems with the levels of hormones can lead to amenorrhea.
Treatment is associated with the factors that are involved in causing amenorrhea. It is necessary to diagnose and treat this condition early in order to have a regular menstrual cycle.
Symptoms
You may have certain symptoms associated with the underlying causing factors of amenorrhea. Females with amenorrhea can have a loss of hair with pelvic pain and acne. They may experience headaches and changes in vision with nipple discharge that is milky.
The appearance of excessive hairs on the area of the face is also one of the symptoms that indicates amenorrhea. If your periods are missed consecutively three times, consult your doctor to have a proper medical examination.
You should also consult a doctor if you never had menstrual periods at the age of 15 or if you are older than 15 and still are not menstruated. Timely treatment can help you to enhance your quality of life and have a regular menstrual cycle.
Causes
There can be different reasons for the happening of amenorrhea. Sometimes this condition is normal while others time it’s not. Side effects of medications can lead to amenorrhea in some females.
If your menstrual cycle was normal and suddenly you got amenorrhea after using certain medications, consult a doctor to stop them or take alternatives. Be conscious about your menstrual cycle being a female because it is related to your mental health too.
Natural Amenorrhea
There are some natural reasons that can be associated with amenorrhea. These are menopause, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. There is something to worry about if your menstrual periods are stopped and there is no natural cause behind this.
Contraceptives
Some females who use oral contraceptives or pills for the control of birth may miss their periods. It may take a certain duration of time to have regular menstruation again even if you have stopped using these pills.
Sometimes, implanted or injected contraceptives can also cause the condition of amenorrhea. The same is the case with using intrauterine devices.
Medications
There are some medications that can stop your menstrual periods. These medications are antidepressants, allergy medications, antipsychotics, cancer chemotherapy, blood pressure drugs, and antidepressants.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain factors related to lifestyle can be related to the condition of amenorrhea. These factors are discussed below.
Low Body Weight
If your body weight is low excessively approximately ten percent under your normal weight, it can disturb the functions of hormones in your body. It can halt your process of ovulation. Women with certain eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia can have problems with their menstrual cycle.
Their periods may be stopped due to abnormal alternations in the levels of hormones. Balancing diet and weight is one of the important factors to have healthy menstruation.
Excessive Exercise
The menstrual cycle of females who take part in certain activities that require strict training may get disturbed. An example of such training is ballet.
Different factors can combine and lead to inhibition of periods in women who are athletes. It includes stress, a high level of energy expenditure, and a low level of body fat.
Stress
It changes your hypothalamus functions temporarily. This part of your brain is involved in controlling your periods. As a result, your ovulation or menstrual can be stopped. After decreasing of stress level, you may menstruate again normally.
Hormonal Imbalance
Some medical problems can lead to an imbalance of hormones. These problems can be:
- PSCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Thyroid malfunction
- Pituitary tumor
- Premature menopause
Structural Issues
Problems with your sexual organs can lead to a condition of amenorrhea. These problems may be:
- Uterine scarring
- Abnormality in the structure of the vagina
- Having missing parts of reproductive organs
Risk Factors
Following are the risk factors that can enhance your chances of having the problem of amenorrhea.
- Family history
- Athletic training
- Eating disorders
- Having a history of gynecologic issues
