General Medical Advices

Archive for the ‘Amenorrhea’ Category

Testing and Diagnosis of Amenorrhea – There is a combination of hormonal problems associated with amenorrhea although they rarely threaten life. Maybe need some testing done by the doctor to accurately determine the underlying causes. The tests will include:

* A pregnancy test will probably be the first test the doctor not to check the pregnancy as possible.
* Pelvic exam done to check for abnormalities with their reproductive organs.
* Physical exam, including checks indicate that changes must occur at puberty. Drug history will also be discussed.
* Blood tests such as thyroid function test or tests to evaluate the levels of prolactin can reveal a discrepancy in hormone levels, which could be the cause of amenorrhea. If a woman has experienced more than normal hair growth, tests for hormone levels may also be provided.
* Progestin challenge test can also be given. This test involves taking a progestogen or hormonal medicine for 7 to 10 days. This medicine will trigger menstrual bleeding and as a result, your doctor can determine whether your menstrual periods have stopped due to low estrogen levels.
* An imaging test may be given by your doctor after reviewing the symptoms and results of blood tests. Imaging tests such as CT scan (Computerized tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound can show if there is pituitary tumor or abnormality in the reproductive organs.
* Laparoscopy or hysteroscopy is generally considered a last option when other tests (such as those mentioned above) indicate that there is or is not convincing. Minimal surgery may be recommended by your doctor to view internal organs. Sometimes, problems found during surgery can be treated simultaneously.

Article By Bond Mejeh

Common Causes of Secondary  Amenorrhea - The more common form of secondary amenorrhea is amenorrhea. Possible causes include:

* Pregnancy – the most common of all causes. When women are of reproductive age will most likely be the cause. When a fertilized egg implanted into her uterus wall, keep lining the fetus grows and does not shed through menstruation.
* Contraception – oral contraceptive pill can prevent periods. If a woman uses contraceptives suddenly stops, probably three to six months before he was back to normal ovulation and menstruation. Injected or implanted contraceptives (ie, Depo-Provera or Implanon), also can cause amenorrhea. Progesterone-containing contraceptive device (eg Mirena) may also prevent periods.
* Thyroid damage – a common cause of menstrual irregularities, including amenorrhea. In particular, a thyroid gland which is known as hypothyroidism may be responsible for this. Thyroid damage also may be responsible for the increase or decrease in prolactin production. Reproductive hormone prolactin is produced by your pituitary gland. If the prolactin level is changed, may have influenced the hypothalamus and then interrupt the menstrual cycle. Read the rest of this entry »

Common Causes of Primary Amenorrhea - According to statistics, primary amenorrhea occurs in less than one percent of teenage girls in America Common causes of primary amenorrhea include:

* Abnormalities of chromosomes can cause premature decline of eggs in the ovaries and follicles, which play a role in ovulation and menstruation.
* Hypothalamus disorders or functional hypothalamic amenorrhea may cause another. The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain. Among other things, it controls the hormones responsible for managing the menstrual cycle. Normal function of the hypothalamus may be disturbed by excessive exercise, eating disorders, physical and even psychological stress. This can lead to amenorrhea. Although very rare, tumors can prevent the hypothalamus also functioned normally.
* Pituitary disease or tumor can also inhibit normal pituitary gland function. Pituitary gland is another part of the brain that plays a role in regulating the menstrual cycle.
* Lack of reproductive organs can occur during fetal development. This can cause a girl born without some major parts of the female reproductive system (womb ie, cervix or vagina). Without a well developed reproductive system, menstrual cycle would not be possible.
* Structural abnormality of the vagina or the vaginal walls that prevent the membrane can prevent the signs of menstrual bleeding. A membrane wall such as this can impede blood flow out of the uterus and cervix.

Consultation with a doctor and several tests (pregnancy tests, hormone assay in blood, a physical examination, etc..), Will identify the cause of amenorrhea. The application of preventive measures mentioned above allows the return of menstruation in many women:
- Healthy eating;
- Maintaining a healthy weight;
- Stress Management;
- Moderation in the practice of physical exercises.
Thus, in most cases, medical treatment is not necessary, but it is equally important to identify the cause of amenorrhea, treating the underlying disease as appropriate and of get emotional support when needed.

Medication

Hormonal Treatments
In the case of a malfunction of the ovaries in a young woman, hormone therapy is suggested to occur as the development of sexual characteristics and fertility, and to prevent osteoporosis in the long term.

The arrival of amenorrhea in the menopause can be delayed by a combined hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progestin), which causes a return or retention of menstruation artificially without restore ovulation. However, with the publication and media coverage of recent studies analyzing the risks of combined hormone replacement therapy at menopause, the current trend in medical circles is to use this treatment only under certain conditions (if symptoms menopause are very bothersome, for example), for a maximum of five years. Thus, women who have mild symptoms will be encouraged to try other means (see description menopause), as those who by their genetics, are at greater risk of cancer.

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Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation in a woman of childbearing age. The word “amenorrhea” comes from the Greek for deprivation, men for months and rhein to flow.

From 2% to 5% of the female population would be affected by amenorrhea. This is a single symptom, but it’s reality or origin of disease quite different from each other. In effect, amenorrhea may be quite natural if, for example, the woman is pregnant, breastfeeding or has attained the age of menopause. But it may also be a telltale sign of a health problem underlying more serious, like an eating disorder or endocrine disease.

Every woman is in either of the following is considered amenorrheic and should consult a doctor:

* No menstrual period at age 14 years and lack of development of secondary sexual characteristics (breast development of the pubic hair and armpits and distribution of adipose tissue in the hips, buttocks and thighs);
* No menstrual period at age 16 years and present a development of secondary sexual characteristics;
* A woman has been menstruating, the absence of menstruation for a period of time equivalent to at least three intervals of previous menstrual cycles or six months without menstruation.
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