
Amenorrhea is the absence of your monthly period. From the onset of puberty till menopause you should have your periods regularly. Some women may have irregular periods but total absence of period occurs only in a few instances. Pregnant women will not have periods till a few months after delivery during the time they nurse their baby. Women who have had their uterus removed or have had cancer treatment will stop menstruating. Other than these instances it is not normal to miss periods altogether for long stretches of time. It is therefore very important to find the cause of the condition and treat it.
Amenorrhea is of two types. Primary amenorrhea is a condition where girls over 15 years of age have not had their first period. Secondary amenorrhea is a condition where there is an absence of periods for 3 or more months after the beginning of normal menstrual cycles. Both these conditions have to medically evaluated.
In addition to absence of periods amenorrhea has other symptoms as well. They include:
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Headaches
- Acne
- Growth of facial hair
- Milky discharge from breasts
- Absence of breast development
Amenorrhea can be caused by
- Problems in the reproductive organs
- Brain or spine problems
- Ovarian failure
- Stopping use of birth control
- Certain IUDs used for birth control
- Stress
- Malnutrition
- Certain drugs
- Excess weight loss
- Over-exercising
- Sickness
- Sudden weight change
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Thyroid problems
- Cancer treatment
- Scarring of uterus
If you suffer from amenorrhea, you should not ignore it thinking it will go away on its own. Finding the underlying cause of the condition is the first step in curing it. Treatment will depend on the cause.
Treatment options include:
- Treatment of thyroid/ pituitary/ brain/ spine problem
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Birth control pills
- Surgical correction of abnormalities
- Managing stress/ depression/ weight
- Moderation of exercise schedule
- Nutrition and diet guidance
- Alteration of prescription drugs if possible
Correcting amenorrhea is necessary for restoring your fertility. By treating the underlying conditions, you will regain overall health and minimise chances of future complications.
If you have missed your periods and don’t know why, contact us without delay. We can help you get back to normal.