Amenorrhea is the condition when your menstrual cycle stops. It is a common feature which is mostly seen in postmenopausal females.

Amenorrhea is mainly categorized into two types. One is primary amenorrhea and the other is secondary amenorrhea.

How primary amenorrhea differ from secondary amenorrhea?

If you are attaining 16 years of age without ever having menstruated then it can be primary amenorrhea.

This is mostly seen in girls who are lean and athletic.Amenorrhea

It is mainly characterized with delayed secondary sexual characteristics like development of breast and pubic hair.

Some times with the normal development of secondary sexual characteristics, menstrual bleeding will be absent. Such cases are also considered as primary amenorrhea.

If you are suffering with abnormal periods that generally stop for six months or more, then this kind of abnormality in menstrual cycle is considered as secondary amenorrhea.

Most of you might think that pregnancy is one of the reasons, but there are many other reasons which can cause amenorrhea.

Why most of you suffer from amenorrhea?

  • It is mainly caused due to abnormal behavior of hypothalamus and pituitary gland in most of the women. The abnormality in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis is the main reason for amenorrhea to occur.
  • Abnormality in the vaginal structure is also another cause for primary amenorrhea. The presence of an obstruction or a membrane in the vaginal structure can prevent the blood flow from uterus to the cervix.
  • Hormonal imbalance is also one of the main reasons for amenorrhea. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the condition which causes comparatively higher levels of estrogen rather than fluctuating levels which is seen in normal menstrual periods. As a result, the hormones secreted by pituitary glands, which are responsible for ovulation are gradually reduced.
  • Pregnancy is the most common cause for amenorrhea. When a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus then the lining of the uterus keeps on nourishing the fetus. As a result, your menstrual cycle stops.
  • Stress is also the most common cause for amenorrhea. Mental stress can temporarily stop your menstrual cycle. Due to stress, the functioning of hypothalamus, an area in the brain, which is responsible for regulation of hormones, is temporarily altered. As a result, ovulation and menstruation can stop.
  • Extremely low body weight is also responsible for the interruption in your menstrual cycle. Due to low body weight, functioning of hormones gets disturbed which will result in halting of ovulation.
  • Hypothyroidism, malfunctioning of thyroid gland commonly causes abnormal menstrual periods. They are also responsible for the production of prolactin hormone. Any alteration in the production level of prolactin can affect the functioning of hypothalamus and interrupts the menstrual periods.

Essential nutritional tips:

  • Eat adequate nutrition which is required for your body. When you take insufficient calories, your body starts burning the proteins for energy. As a result, your bones become weak. So it is always important to take 60 to 90 grams of proteins daily with your meal.
  • Take calcium rich food at every meal in a day to maintain healthy bone density. Daily exercise also keeps your bones strong and healthy.
  • Some of the vitamins which help in resuming your menses are vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B6. Zinc is also important for the proper functioning of reproductive system. Try to take the foods which are rich in these vitamins and keep your self healthy and strong.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks for the great article. My daughter was suffering from amenorrhea, and our doctor suggested some natural dietary supplements, which worked great!

    We found this site, which has lots of great information about what supplements to take and lots of other information.

    Thanks again!

    –Linda

  2. I received my LMP on 5th june and thereafter periods have not occured.Got all the pregnancy test done but they are negative.The doctor prescribed me regestrone for 7 days,but no result later and then prescribed devry for 5 days,still no sign of periods.i have done awll the blood tests,all negative. Now i have been given a dose of novelon for 7 days,twice a day.
    help me know what exactly is happening.

  3. am 25 yrs old unmarried.. from the begining itself i have irregular menstrual cycle. i dont know the correct date of my cycle.. 6 and 7 yrs back i had thyroid and cured. now in thyroid testing it shows normal.but some swelling and pain in my throat.and in scan result i found polysistic ovaries..doctor refered meptate and cyclic table.
    just i want to know, in future i will get any problem due to these tablets and any problem in getting child birth? by thinking of my problem am getting mental stress.. and am lossing heavy hair falls..

    kindly give suggestion and reply me to my mail

  4. i’m 35yo single and its been 4yrs since i had my last period. i’ve been to OB last year she gave me provera to take for 7days(nov20-26) after 5days i had red spots.i took diane35 from dec2-22 and on dec28-jan3 i experience having a menstruation again.but i never continued taking the pills again afraid for the side effects and to think that i’m only having period because of the pills content.the period never comes back again.is it safe to continue?

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