The absence of menses is referred to as amenorrhea and it happens in women of reproductive age. It can be primary or secondary when diagnosed. Women who have never menstruated are classified as primary. Secondary is caused by other factors such as in women who have menstruated and then do not for 3 or more cycles. The type of treatment given for amenorrhea treatment is dependant upon the cause.
Primary amenorrhea can be caused by a variety of other conditions. These include chromosomal abnormalities like Turner's Syndrome. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia or hypothalamic or pituitary lesions could also be the cause. Structural abnormalities of the genital track such as an obstruction could cause symptoms. An absence of reproductive organs can be the reason for the absence of menses.
Secondary symptoms can be caused by excessive physical exercise, any chronic illness, thyroid disorders, various medications, oral contraceptives, autoimmune ovarian failure or premature menopause. An adrenal disease such as Cushing's Syndrome could also cause this to occur. Polycystic Ovarian Disorder or PCOD may be the reason as well.
Some of the signs and symptoms are the absence of menses itself. Other signs and symptoms can include weight loss which may indicate Anorexia Nervosa or Hyperthyroidism. Weight gain may suggest the presence of Cushing's Syndrome or hypothyroidism. Excessive hair on the face or Hirsutism may mean there is an androgen excess due to PCOD. Discharge from the nipples is another symptom to look for.
Pregnancy is ruled out in secondary amenorrhea. A hormonal imbalance exists that will need to be identified and a thorough medical history should be done. A physical examination that includes a hormone panel should be ordered to assess if the thyroid and prolactin levels are normal.
After reviewing blood panels if there are high levels of lutinizing hormone or follicle stimulating hormone these could suggest that the ovaries are failing or there is eveidence of PCOD. Estradiol and gonadotrophin levels that are low could indicate hypothalamic or pituitary disease. One may also need to have imaging tests done such as an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan.
Conventional medical practices will be performed based on the age of the patient, the factors that caused the problem, if the patient desires children and the mental state of the person. Stimulation and substitution therapies are used that include cyclic estrogen or estrogen-progesterone if the ovaries are failing. This treatment is often used on younger patients but it works well on patients over 40 if there is a psychological component. When the pituitary fails the ovaries are stimulated by using human gonadotrophins or non steroidals such as Clomiphene Citrate. Surgically removing the adrenal glands or the thyroid can help to restore ovarian function.
For more permanent amenorrhea treatment that does not only mask the symptoms it is important to think about the primary cause of why hormones are out of balance and work toward balancing them. Taking a natural approach to treating both the primary and secondary symptoms will offer relief that is lasting. These methods work so well because they stimulate the ovaries and the pituitary glands and regulate them as well as menstruation. They will induce menses and regulate the length of the menstrual cycle as well as the entire endocrine axis offering results that will last.
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