Amenorrhea

Medical Review

Written by: Dr. Von Chiao Wen Doctor of Medicine (MD), N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Reviewed by: Dr. Lee Chin Meng Doctor of Medicine (MD), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

Overview of Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation It is a common feature in pregnancy, postmenopausal and prepubertal females. Someone has amenorrhea when they missed 3 menstrual periods in a row or have yet to begin menstruation by age 15.

Signs and Symptoms of Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation at least 3 times in a row, Have yet to begin menstruation by the age of 15, Acne, Pelvic pain, Milky nipple discharge, Excess facial hair, Hair loss, Vision changes, Headache

Common Causes of Amenorrhea

Menopause, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Usage of oral contraceptive pills, injected or implanted contraceptives, Certain medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihypertensives and chemotherapy, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, Hyperprolactinemia, Congenital abnormalities such as constitutional delay or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency, Premature ovarian failure, Pituitary tumour, Asherman’s syndrome, Structural abnormality of the female reproductive system, Excessively low body weight, Excessive exercise

Risk Factors of Amenorrhea

Family history of amenorrhea, Excessive athletic training

Investigation Techniques for Amenorrhea

Medical, childhood growth and development, family and sexual history, Physical examination, Pelvic examination, Serum or urinary human chorionic gonadotropin, Full blood count, Urinalysis, Hormonal studies including levels of prolactin, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), estradiol, thyroid hormones, estosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, Pelvic ultrasound, Hysteroscopy, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the hypothalamus and pituitary area, Questionnaires such as modifiable activity questionnaire and multidimensional eating disorder inventory

Treatment and Prevention of Amenorrhea

Nutritional counseling, Maintain a healthy weight, Treatment of underlying cause, Hormone therapy with estrogen and progestin, Cyclic progesterone therapy, Dopamine agonists for example bromocriptine or cabergoline, Gonadotropin therapy or pulsatile gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy, Oral contraceptive pills, Metformin, Behavioural modification, Surgical removal of tumours

Available Amenorrhea Medicines

No medicines currently available for this condition.

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