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 and possible complications of amenorrhea are discussed in our Q&A called Amenorrhea.
If you are experiencing amenorrhea, do not panic, as many treatment options are available. 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 (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]
Take a proactive approach to manage amenorrhea. A variety of treatment options, including self-care, naturopathic approaches, homeopathic remedies, and medical therapies, are available for women with amenorrhea. If you do not have an underlying disorder of the ovaries or uterus that is responsible for amenorrhea, self-care, naturopathic. homeopathic, and psychological approaches include:[2, 3]
• Achieve and maintain a healthy body mass index (i.e., ratio of weight to height). Do not strive to be overly thin like some fashion models.
• Eat a sensible, balanced diet containing an adequate amount of calories, organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats.
• Eat lots of freshly-caught, cold-water fish (such as halibut, herring, salmon, sardines, and tuna), as these fish are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, which contain the anti-inflammatory molecules, DHA and EPA.
• Do not eat non-organically-raised red meat, non-organically-raised poultry, or non-organic dairy products.
• If you consume red meat, poultry, and dairy products, eat organically-raised meat, poultry, and dairy products, as hormones and antibiotics are not used in the agricultural process.
• Take supplements containing vitamin E
• Take supplements containing one of the following types of oils: black current, borage, evening primrose or fish. Let your integrative medical physician guide you in determining which type of supplement is appropriate for you.
• Take a homeopathic remedy, such as Cypripedium, Folliculinum, Lachesis, Magnesia phosphorica, Nux vomica, Phosphorus, Platinum Metallicum, Pulsatilla, sarcodes, or Sepia. Consult a homeopath, a healthcare professional experienced in homeopathy, to select the homeopathic remedy and dose that is appropriate for you.
• Use natural progesterone cream, which is made from wild yams or soy. Let your integrative medical physician and gynecologist guide you in determining whether progesterone cream is appropriate for you.
• Practice aerobic exercise regularly, but do not over-exercise in an attempt to be very thin.
• Perform yoga positions that involve pelvic motion, are designed to tone women’s reproductive organs, balance uterine function, boost flow of energy to the pelvic area, and stimulate blood circulation to the pelvis.
• Joining a local support group of other women with amenorrhea can be very helpful.
• If you have been over-exercising, and/or eating an extremely calorically-restricted diet, and/or purging (i.e., vomiting) in the past in an attempt to be very thin, recognize that you are a good, valuable, and unique person. Working with a psychologist or psychiatrist to assist you in building your self-esteem is an essential part of the path to finding happiness. Also, joining a local support group of other women with eating disorders (e.g., anorexia and bulemia) can be very helpful.
If you do not have an underlying disorder of the ovaries or uterus that is responsible for amenorrhea AND your symptoms do not resolve with the self-care, naturopathic, homeopathic, and psychological approaches discussed above, consult your integrative medical physician and gynecologist to evaluate the function of your thyroid and adrenal glands and to determine whether therapy with any of the following types of treatment would be appropriate for you:
• Therapy to normalize the function of the thyroid gland
• Therapy to normalize the function of the adrenal gland
• Treatment with bio-identical sex hormones
If your physician has diagnosed an underlying condition of the ovaries and uterus that is responsible for your amenorrhea, discuss the following types of medical treatment options with your gynecologist to determine which is appropriate for your underlying condition and your medical history:
• Prescription medications
• Interventional procedures
Being aware of the ebb and flow of your menstrual cycle helps keep you in touch with your inner nature. An important aspect of maintaining wellness is having a positive attitude towards menstruation as part of the cycle of a woman’s life.
REFERENCE
1. Mayo Clinic. Menorragia (heavy menstrual bleeding). Accessed at www.mayoclinic.com.
2. J. Reichenberg-Ullman. Whole Woman Homeopathy. 2004. Edmonds, WA: Picnic Point Press.
3. I. Ikenze. Menopause & Homeopathy: A Guide to Women in Midlife. 1998. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
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