{"id":56076,"date":"2020-01-08T16:26:19","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T14:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/?p=56076"},"modified":"2024-03-18T18:28:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T16:28:08","slug":"what-is-amenorrhea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/what-is-amenorrhea\/","title":{"rendered":"Amenorrhea causes, symptoms and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Periods can often feel like an annoying fact of life that we could well do without, but in fact the existence of regular periods is an indication that the body is generally in good working order. Conversely, the absence of periods, amenorrhea<\/strong>, can be a signal that something is amiss. It is defined as either primary, when a girl does not start menstruating by the age of 15 or 16, or secondary, when a woman who has passed through puberty and had regular menstruation, misses three or more periods in a row.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are times in every woman\u2019s life when she has an absence of periods, mainly before puberty and after menopause. In between the two, and apart from pregnancy, we should probably be concerned if periods stop without explanation. What causes amenorrhea<\/strong>, what are the symptoms, and how is it treated?<\/p>\n

Amenorrhea causes<\/h2>\n

There are two broad categories of amenorrhea, it can be the result of natural events such as pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause, or it could be symptomatic of some kind of problem. It can be triggered by a certain medication or lifestyle, sometimes by a hormonal imbalance or an abnormality of physical structure. This is the kind that needs to be treated.<\/p>\n

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Amenorrhea caused by medication<\/h3>\n

Medications such as antipsychotics and antidepressants can cause periods to stop for some women. Other drugs such as chemotherapy or medications to treat high blood pressure can also cause problems with menstruation, as can some treatments for allergies. Occasionally, oral hormonal contraceptives can cause a delay of a few months in returning to a normal cycle, most frequently involving the types of contraceptive that are injected or implanted.<\/p>\n

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Lifestyle factors<\/h3>\n

Very low body weight can be a cause of amenorrhea since being underweight can disrupt the normal balance of hormones, which in turn results in the cessation of menstruation. This applies whether the low weight is due to anorexia or undernourishment for another reason, or due to excessive exercise or athletic training. High levels of stress can also be the culprit. Stress can have a negative impact on the functioning of the hypothalamus, which regulates the hormones associated with ovulation and so high levels of stress can be an indirect cause.<\/p>\n

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Hormonal imbalance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An imbalance of hormones, even when it is not caused by stress or other lifestyle factors, can occur for several other reasons and prevent ovulation. These include Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) an over or under-active thyroid gland or a tumour on the pituitary gland. Premature menopause, in which the menstrual cycle stops because of a depleted ovarian reserve around the age of 40, instead of the normal 50, can also be classed as a hormonal malfunction.<\/p>\n

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Structural abnormalities<\/h3>\n

Physical problems with the reproductive system can result in a lack of periods. Sometimes a physical barrier in the vagina can block any blood flow from the uterus. In other cases, an accumulation of scar tissue in the lining of the womb can prevent the normal build-up and shedding of the womb lining and thus prevent the occurrence of periods. In rare cases, an abnormality of foetal development can result in a girl being born without a uterus, cervix or vagina, resulting in complete amenorrhea.<\/p>\n

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What are the symptoms?<\/h2>\n

Apart from the most obvious sign, the absence of periods, women with amenorrhea <\/strong>can experience some other symptoms. They can include:<\/p>\n