When should you see a doctor for amenorrhea?
See your doctor if you have missed three or more periods in a row. If your periods aren’t the same every month, write down when they start and how long they last and give this information to your doctor. Stay a healthy weight with diet and exercise.
What is the best treatment for amenorrhea?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your amenorrhea. In some cases, birth control pills or other hormone therapies can restart your menstrual cycles. Amenorrhea caused by thyroid or pituitary disorders may be treated with medications.
What kind of doctor treats amenorrhea?
How is amenorrhea diagnosed? Contact your family doctor or a gynecologist if you think you have amenorrhea. If you’ve never menstruated, the doctor will review your health history and do an exam. A regular physical and pelvic check can show signs of puberty.
How common is amenorrhea UK?
It occurs in 3-5% of women of reproductive age, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) being the most common cause. Secondary amenorrhoea can be physiological in nature, e.g. pregnancy, lactation.
What are 3 causes of amenorrhea?
Common causes of primary amenorrhea include: Chromosomal or genetic problem with the ovaries (the female sex organs that hold the eggs). Hormonal issues stemming from problems with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland. Structural problem with the reproductive organs, such as missing parts of the reproductive system.
Can amenorrhea be permanent?
Amenorrhea is the absence of a woman’s menstrual period, either permanently or temporarily. Missing one menstrual period is rarely a sign of a serious problem or medical condition, but amenorrhea for a long period of time may be a sign of a disease or chronic condition that could be contributing to infertility.
What is the first line of treatment for amenorrhea?
For primary amenorrhea, hormone therapy, consisting of an estrogen and a progestin, is recommended for women with estrogen deficiency. Girls with primary amenorrhea typically do not have symptoms of estrogen deficiency.
What is amenorrhea UK?
Amenorrhoea is the absence of menstruation and a normal physiological event before puberty, during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding, and also after the menopause.
Is secondary amenorrhea serious?
Secondary amenorrhea usually isn’t harmful to your health. It can be treated effectively in most cases. But to avoid complications you must address the underlying conditions that cause amenorrhea.
Which hormone is responsible for amenorrhea?
Hypothalamic amenorrhea.
This condition occurs when the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain that regulates body processes, slows or stops releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the hormone that starts the menstrual cycle.
How do I get my period back after amenorrhea?
Stress, disordered eating, being underweight, and too much exercise are the main causes of hypothalamic amenorrhea. Eating enough, choosing gentle exercise, and managing your stress can help you get your period back and reduce your risk of health complications.
What happens if amenorrhea is not treated?
Untreated amenorrhea can lead to other conditions.
Left untreated, amenorrhea can lead to the following possible complications: Cardiovascular disease. A lack of estrogen can also cause cardiovascular problems, making someone at increased risk of heart attack or problems with the heart muscle and blood vessels.
What are the long term effects of amenorrhea?
Longer-term consequences include higher cardiovascular disease risk and threatened bone health. Low estrogen suppresses bone production, which can lead to bone loss, osteopenia (loss of bone calcium), and increased risk of fractures. Amenorrhea can cause bone loss in as little as six months.
What are emotional effects of amenorrhea?
Some of the amenorrheic women indicated that the loss of mentruation was directly correlated to a loss of self-esteem, while others denied any adverse reaction. Brief social histories indicated a high degree of family psychopathology in the amenorrheic women runners.
What herbs treat amenorrhea?
The herb bugleweed is also thought to reduce prolactin levels,6 but it too has not been tested for amenorrhea. Other commonly proposed natural treatments for amenorrhea include the supplements vitamin B6 and zinc and the herbs blue cohosh, angelica, asafetida, alfalfa seed, motherwort, parsley, and rue.
What supplements to take for amenorrhea?
Eat more whole grains, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds. Diets that are very low in fat can raise your risk of amenorrhea. In addition, these supplements may help: Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, and boron.
How long will amenorrhea last?
Amenorrhea can result from a change in function or a problem with some part of the female reproductive system. There are times when you’re not supposed to get your period, such as before puberty, during pregnancy and after menopause. If amenorrhea lasts for more than three months, it should be investigated.
What deficiencies cause amenorrhea?
A hormone imbalance from a condition such as PCOS, thyroid problems, or a pituitary tumor. Premature menopause, or ovarian failure from treatments such as chemotherapy. Low body weight or too much exercise. Not enough calories because of an eating disorder, such as anorexia, or a low-calorie diet.