Amenorrhea is the absence or suppression of the menstrual period. It may occur as a result of abnormalities of the female reproductive tract, hormonal problems, or genetic disorder. In college women, amenorrhea can be associated with stress, severe dieting including eating disorders, increased levels of exercise, or illness. The most common cause of amenorrhea is pregnancy.
What causes it?
Amenorrhea may result from the following:
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal Contraceptives
- Breast feeding
- Hormonal imbalance
- Excessive exercise
- Thyroid malfunction
- Pituitary tumor
- emotional or physical stress
- depression
- malnutrition
- drugs, such as tranquilizers and antidepressants
- obesity (especially with rapid weight gain)
- excessive or rapid weight loss
- chronic illness (for example, kidney failure, cystic fibrosis, and colitis).
Long lapses between periods, lasting six months or longer, are common with on-going physical stress. This is particularly the case if you have lost a lot of weight, as with anorexia, or you have little or no body fat, as with some women athletes.
How is it diagnosed?
Though rarely due to a life-threatening cause, amenorrhea can be a fairly complicated problem and there is often no quick answer. It takes time and working closely with a provider to diagnose the cause and treat it.
You will need a thorough history and a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. The provider will probably not recommend any tests (such as a blood test to measure hormone levels) unless you have missed three or more periods consecutively or have certain other symptoms.
The absence of a menstrual period is a symptom, not a disease. You may occasionally miss a period and still be healthy.
How is it treated?
The treatment of amenorrhea depends on its cause. If obesity is the cause, an exercise program may restore menstrual periods. Learning to manage stress at school or work and decreasing excessive physical exercise is also helpful.
If hormonal imbalance is the cause, the administration of progesterone for seven to fourteen days every one or two months may correct the amenorrhea. Surgical treatment may be necessary if a woman has tumors or cysts in her ovaries or uterus.
How long will the effects last?
If unusual stress or an illness has temporarily interrupted the hormone cycle, periods should start again naturally, though the duration of amenorrhea is unpredictable.
How can I take care of myself?
If you miss more than one menstrual period, you should see your provider. You should keep a record of the date menstrual cycles start, how long they last, amount of menstrual flow, and any symptoms. You should also alert your provider of all prescription and non-prescription drugs that you are taking, as well as report any family history of the problem.
What can be done to help prevent amenorrhea?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle by following a healthy diet, avoiding cigarette smoking and excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Balance work, recreation, and rest.