AMENORRHEA SYMPTOMS

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. It is usually divided into two categories: primary amenorrhea, in which a girl does not even start to menstruate; and secondary amenorrhea, in which periods that were previously regular become significantly delayed or absent For most sexually active women in their reproductive years, amenorrhea (the absence of periods) is a clear signal of pregnancy. And in older nonpregnant women, amenorrhea may mean that menopause is approaching or has arrived ? particularly if she is in her late 40s or 50s. In both groups of women, amenorrhea is perfectly normal.

However in some cases amenorrhea can indicate an underlying medical problem.

Cause & Symptoms of Amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea is present when a young woman has not started to menstruate by age 16. This may be because she has some hormonal imbalance or developmental problem, which can often be treated with hormones and/or surgery.

Amenorrhea, more commonly, affects women who have previously had normal periods. It is defined as an absence of menstruation for a length of time equivalent to a total of at least three of the previous cycle intervals or six months.

Often a hormone imbalance is responsible for secondary amenorrhea. Frequently the body's level of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is low. This hormone is needed to control a woman's menstrual cycle and ovulation. GnRH levels can decrease because of a variety of reasons, such as excessive exercise, weight loss or weight gain, stress, or discontinuation of the birth control pill.

• A hormone imbalance and amenorrhea can also result from
• Breast-feeding. (Note, however, that breast-feeding women may be ovulating, even though they're not having periods.
• Ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs).
• Premature ovarian failure (early menopause).
• Problems with the adrenal glands (small glands above the kidneys).
• Thyroid conditions.
• Tumors (abnormal growths).
• Anorexia
• Other medical conditions

Diagnosis Of Amenorrhea

• There are several possible ways to investigate amenorrhea. Doctor will probably conduct a pelvic exam (an internal exam of the reproductive organs). also take blood to test for the levels of various hormones in the body.
• There are easy, accurate methods to determine whether you are ovulating or not; as there is a slight but measurable increase in a woman's body temperature around the time of ovulation.
• Doctor may take samples of the cervical mucus, or of the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
• If the doctor suspects a problem with the cycle coordination or hormone levels, she or he may give a "progesterone challenge."