Amenorrhea is a
symptom with many potential causes. Primary amenorrhea (menstruation
cycles never starting) may be caused by developmental problems such as
the congenital absence of the uterus, or failure of the ovary to receive
or maintain egg cells. Also, delay in pubertal development will lead to
primary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea (menstruation cycles ceasing)
is often caused by hormonal disturbances from the hypothalamus and the
pituitary gland or from premature menopause, or intrauterine scar
formation.
Treatment
Your physician may
prescribe various types of hormones to see whether your ovaries are
functioning normally.
Provided no underlying disorder is causing the amenorrhea, treatment is
generally unnecessary. However, because women who are not menstruating
seem susceptible to osteoporosis, your physician may suggest that you
take estrogen and a calcium supplement.
If an underlying disorder is to blame for either primary or secondary
amenorrhea, the treatment will depend on the nature of the disorder
The term is derived
from Greek: a = negative, men = month, rhea = flow. Derived adjectives
are amenorrhea and amenorrhea. The opposite is the normal menstrual
period.
Historically, the term amenorrhea has often been used as a
euphemism for
"unwanted pregnancy" and many folk treatments for this condition are in
fact abortifacients. Pregnancy, as noted, is only one potential cause
for amenorrhea; sometimes pseudo-pregnancy can be a cause for this as
well. citation needed
Symptom
Amenorrhea (BE),
amenorrhea (AmE), or amenorrhea, is the absence of a menstrual period
in a woman of reproductive age. Physiologic states of amenorrhea are
seen during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding), the latter also
forming the basis of a form of contraception known as the lactation
amenorrhea method. Outside of the reproductive years there is absence of
menses during childhood and after menopause
