Amenorrhea is the total absence of menstruation (i.e., the total absence of menstrual bleeding) in a non-pregnant female of an age where menstruation would be expected.
Causes of amenorrhea include:
• Lack of ovulation, due to insufficient level of certain sex hormones in the body that can arise from regular over-exercising, inadequate nutrition in women with certain eating disorders, or changes that occur during peri-menopause (the time just prior to menopause).
• Lack of ovulation resulting from lack of proper functioning of the ovaries, due to the presence of certain ovarian disorders
• Disorders of the uterus
• Lack of proper functioning of the adrenal glands
• Lack of proper functioning of the thyroid glands
Some women, especially those in their teens and twenties who are trying to achieve a "fashionably thin" look, as well as amateur and professional athletes, regularly over-exercise. Too much exercise disturbs the hormonal balance of the body, which can result in amenorrhea.
Possible complications of prolonged amenorrhea include:
• Infertility (i.e., difficulty in becoming pregnant)
• Menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness and atrophy
• Permanent menopause (i.e., occurring at a younger age)
• Risk of chronic diseases of aging (i.e., occurring at an age younger than is usually the case) such as uterine cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and/or Alzheimer’s disease
Some young women trying to emulate the image of runway models or extremely thin Hollywood stars may engage in a combination of an intense exercise regimen and either anorexia (severely calorically restricting food intake) or bulemia (eating followed by vomiting). Possible complications of prolonged anorexia are deterioration of the body and death. Psychotherapy and re-creating self-esteem are essential for recovery from these eating, exercising, and poor self-image disorders.
If you are experiencing a lack of menstrual periods and your medical history consists of ALL of the following features, then you need to consult your integrative medical physician and gynecologist for diagnosis and treatment:
• Not pregnant
• Not at an age (late forties to middle fifties) in which menopause (i.e., cessation of menstruation) is common
• Not taking medications (such as certain anti-hormone drugs) that cause menopause
• Have not undergone a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)
Regardless of whether or not you experience amenorrhea, preventative gynecology care for adult women and sexually active adolescents includes annual pelvic examinations and Pap tests by a gynecologist or other physician.[1]
Many treatment options are available for women with amenorrhea. See our Q&A, called Treatment of amenorhea, for a discussion of self-care, naturopathic approaches, homeopathic remedies, psychological approaches, and medical therapies.
REFERENCE
1. Mayo Clinic. Menorragia (heavy menstrual bleeding). Accessed at www.mayoclinic.com.
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