MISSING YOUR PERIOD FOR THE 3RD MONTH? YOU MIGHT BE FACING AMENORRHEA
The absence of menstrual bleeding is known as Amenorrhea. You might have come across the term or its symptoms which include headaches, hair loss, etc.
Now during pregnancy or after menopause, Amenorrhea is quite possible and common, causing you to miss your period.
But if those two aren't the reason, immediate medical help should be your priority.
There is primary as well as a secondary Amenorrhea
Girls not menstruating by the age of 16 go through primary Amenorrhea. On the other hand, women missing their period for 3 months after a healthy cycle is secondary Amenorrhea.
Around 3-5% of women adult women experience the risk of secondary Amenorrhea.
Problems in the reproductive organs and glands are the main causes of Amenorrhea as they help regulate the hormonal levels in the body.
If you're wondering, 'How can I understand the symptoms and causes?', I can help you track down various hints you might miss on a daily basis. Read below to get a clearer picture of what leads to Amenorrhea.
1. Symptoms
While the issues in the reproductive system and missing period are the main reasons for Amenorrhea, there are various other symptoms that you can track to find out your ailment.
Such signs are quite crucial in detecting the signs of Amenorrhea:
a. If you face milky nipple discharge.
b. Excessive hair loss and balding.
c. Excessive facial hair around your cheeks and chin.
d. If you're facing splitting headaches.
e. Sudden blurry vision.
f. Acne and zits all over the face.
g. Aching in the pelvic region.
If you face most of these symptoms together, it's advisable to visit the doctor immediately for advice. Additionally, missing your first period even after the age of 15, make sure to not miss out on scheduling a visit to the gynecologist.
2. Causes of Amenorrhea
While the causes of Amenorrhea are many, thyroid and pituitary gland problems can lead to the ailment, more so as these glands are vital for menstruation hormones production in the system.
Of course, there are natural causes of Amenorrhea such as:
a. breastfeeding
b. menopause
c. pregnancy.
There are other causes of secondary Amenorrhea you can be aware of, for example:
a. Malnutrition
b. Extreme weight loss
c. hormonal imbalances
d. Stress-induced depression, and more.
Some additional causes to look out for would be:
3. Medications
Various medications can halt menstruation and be problematic for the system such as:
a. Antidepressants.
b. Allergy medicines.
c. Chemotherapy for all forms of cancer.
d. Medicines for blood pressure drugs.
Hence, if your doctor is prescribing you such medicines, make sure to discuss with him, possible substitutes of the medicine that is suitable for your menstruation cycle.
4. Contraceptives
Contraceptives are a go-to option if you wish to stay away from pregnancy risks. But, the problem with these pills is the ability to pause menstruation and even irregular the period cycle.
Not to forget, it might take you months to turn to a normal ovulation cycle. Additionally, implanted or injected forms of contraceptives are problematic towards increasing the risk of Amenorrhea.
5. Lifestyle
An unhealthy lifestyle can play a vital role in contacting Amenorrhea in many women. Various activities, habits and so on factor into the risks of such ailment.
Hence, the most suitable procedure is to change such ways of living and opt for a conscious lifestyle. Examples of a few such habits are:
a. Stressing:
When you take too much mental stress, it can alter your hypothalamus functions. Hypothalamus is a portion of your brain that controls your hormonal activities and menstrual cycle. Hence, your ovulation cycle can alter or even halt. Of course, such alteration is temporary.
b. Low Body Weight:
If your body weight is under 10% normal, it can stand in the way of hormonal functions and halt your period. If you're suffering from eating disorders such as Bulimia or Anorexia can result in abnormal hormonal imbalances in the system.
c. Excessive Workout:
Low body weight can also be a result of over-workout routines. If you're training excessively in dancing, sports, and martial arts, you might end up with irregular or paused ovulation. Excessive exercising causes low-body fat, energy loss, and stress, leading to menstruation issues.
6. Hormonal Imbalance
The hormonal imbalances in a woman's body can be of various types such as:
a. Thyroid Malfunctions:
An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can end up leading to irregularities in your period. Such irregularities result in Amenorrhea.
b. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):
PCOS can lead to a higher level of hormones than in the existing menstrual cycle. It's also one of the well-known hormonal imbalances in most women.
c. Premature Menopause:
For some women, menopause can begin within the age of 40, where there is a halt in the supply of ovarian eggs. As this leads to a halt in menstruation, there's a risk of contracting Amenorrhea.
Such causes are problematic and require proper and immediate medical attention. Hence make sure to visit your doctor if you face any of such issues.
7. Preventive Measures for Amenorrhea
There are some well-known and simple ways of preventing Amenorrhea. With proper habits, you can make sure to reduce the risks of contacting Amenorrhea.
Food-intake: Make sure to maintain a healthy balanced diet schedule.
Stress: Manage your stressby practicing yoga and heavy breathing every morning.
Body-weight: Check your BMI and maintain proper body weight.
Conclusion
As a woman, you might go through various bodily complications that require immediate medical attention. While missing a period or two might sound nothing less of a blessing, these are signs that your system is in danger.
Make sure to be aware of the symptoms and follow a healthy lifestyle so that if any complications arise, you can prepare for the diagnosis.
Related Blog: 4 Ways Night-shifts can be dangerous for your Menstruation and Ovulation