Amenorrhea (causes).

What is Amenorrhea?

It is the medical term used to describe the absence of the menstrual cycle in a woman either on temporary or permanent basis.

Amenorrhea can either be primary or secondary.

In Primary amenorrhea, no menstruation has ever occurred in the woman by the age of 16.

Most cases of primary amenorrhea have their roots in genetic or anatomical abnormalities especially from birth.

Secondary amenorrhea occurs as a cessation of the period after a woman has begun. A woman will be said to have secondary amenorrhea if she goes for three consecutive months without seeing it.

Amenorrhea is not necessarily a disease but a symptom that points to something else going on in the reproductive system of the woman.

Causes of Amenorrhea.

1. Natural causes
During the normal cause of a woman's life she will experience amenorrhea for the following natural reasons.
- Pregnancy.
- Breast feeding
- Menopause.

2.Use of Contraceptives.
Some women who are on birth control pills and implants may experience temporary amenorrhea which may continue until they stop them.
Even some who are on some types of IUDs may experience same, though not a very common occurrence.

3. Medications.
Drugs suchs as
-anti depressants
-anti-psychotics
-Anti-hypertensives
-Allergy drugs
can have effects on the menstrual cycle regulation thereby leading to amenorrhea.


4.Lifestyle Factors.

a. Excessively low body weights interrupts many hormonal functions in the body of which the menstrual cycle is one of such.
Women with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia often experience amenorrhea.

b. Excessive Exercise.
Women who engage in very rigorous physical exercise stand a chance of having interrupted periods.



5. Excessive Mental/ Emotional Stress.
Can temporarily alter the functioning of your hypothalamus the area in your brain that controls the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle.


6.Hormonal Factors.
a. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
-Causes relatively high and sustained levels of hormones rather than the fluctuating levels seen in the normal menstrual cycle.

b. Thyroid Malfunctions.
-Hyper or hypo-thyroidism can cause menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea inclusive.

c. Pituitary tumor:
A tumor in the pituitary gland can interfere with the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle.

d. Premature menopause.


7. Structural Abnormalities.

Problems with the sexual organs themselves can lead to amenorrhea.
Some of them are;
- Uterine Scars ( Asherman's syndrome)
This is a condition in which scar tissue builds up in the lining of the uterus, can sometimes occur after a D and C, C-section or treatment of uterine fibroids.
Uterine scarring prevents the normal build up and shedding of the uterine lining.

-Lack/Absence of Reproductive Organs.
Sometimes congenital problems arise during fetal development that leads to a girl being born without some parts of her reproductive system, such as her uterus, cervix, or vagina. 

Because of these abnormalities, she may not develop normally and as a result can have abnormal menstrual cycles.

-Structural abnormality of the vagina.
An obstruction of the vagina may prevent visible menstrual bleeding. A membrane or wall maybe present in the vagina that blocks the outflow of blood from the uterus and cervix.

In conclusion, anytime you notice this condition and you're not pregnant, visit your doctor who will carry out certain examinations to understand the root cause and administer the appropriate treatment.

Credits:
Mayo clinic.org
medicinenet.com
Photo:medicalnewstoday.com