Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding.Amenorrhea is a normal feature in prepubertal, pregnant, and postmenopausal females. A dysfunction in any of these parts can prevent a person from getting a period:
- Hypothalamus: This controls the pituitary gland.
- Pituitary gland: Called “the master gland,” which produces the hormones that instruct the ovaries to ovulate.
- Ovaries
- Uterus
Types
- Primary Amenorrhea: Is when you haven’t gotten a first period by age 15 or within five years of the first signs of puberty.
Causes
- Turner syndrome:
- . The ovaries are replaced by scar tissue and estrogen production is minimal, resulting in amenorrhea. Estrogen-induced maturation of the external female genitalia and sex characteristics also fails to occur in.
- Gonadal dysgenesis: premature failure of the ovaries.
2) Secondary Amenorrhea: Is when you’ve been getting regular periods, but you stop getting your period for at least three months, or you stop your menses for six months.
- Causes
- Stress
- Poor nutrition.
- Weight changes — extreme weight loss or obesity.
- Exercising associated with low weight.
- Elevated levels of the hormone prolactin
- Hypothyroidism
- Asherman's syndrome
Diagnosis
Tests to assess the levels of the following hormones:
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Ultrasound
- A thyroid function test
- Pregnancy test
Treatment
- Stress management techniques.
- Changing exercise levels.
- Hormonal treatment
- Surgery
- Estrogen therapy
- Gonadotropins medication
- Dopamine agonist medications can reduce elevated prolactin levels