Doctors for treatment of Amenorrhea
Doctors for the treatment of amenorrhea
Frequently Asked Questions
Amenorrhea — a condition characterized by the absence of menstruation in girls and women of any age.
This isn’t a disease, but a symptom of a number of disorders in the body or a variant of the norm under certain conditions.
Menstruation — a part of the monthly menstrual cycle.
They occur in the body of girls and women on the eve of a possible pregnancy. Each month, an egg is released from the ovary during ovulation. At the same time, the lining of the uterus thickens in preparation for pregnancy.
If fertilization doesn’t occur, the lining of the uterus is rejected as bleeding (menstruation) and the cycle is repeated.
Physiological absence of menstruation is observed under the following conditions:
- Before puberty;
- During pregnancy;
- During lactation;
- Postmenopausal.
In other cases, amenorrhea — a symptom of a gynecological / neurological / endocrine disorder.
The causes are numerous and affect many areas of medicine, from genetic and hormonal disorders to tumors and psychological stress.
Anatomical reasons include abnormalities of the female reproductive system and include: the absence or underdevelopment of female organs in some genetic diseases and destruction of the uterine cavity due to infections or surgeries.
Endocrinological reasons include: defects in brain structures, ovaries and thyroid gland. And also: sudden weight loss, excessive physical exertion, emotional stress, tumors, injuries, eating disorders, autoimmune diseases.
There are 2 types of pathological amenorrhea:
- Primary: in girls who have never had menses:
- Up to 14 years old in the absence of any secondary sexual characteristics (growth of pubic hair, breast growth, etc.);
- Up to 16 years old, if girls have secondary sexual characteristics for 2 years and with regular pain in the lower abdomen;
- Secondary: absence of menstruation for more than 3 months in previously menstruating women of reproductive age.
Yes, it’s possible. But the chances of conceiving are much lower. Lack of menstruation does not mean lack of ovulation. With regular sexual activity, pregnancy can occur.
Amenorrhea can have certain health consequences for a woman, such as:
- Infertility;
- Frequent fractures
- Osteopenia and Osteoporosis;
- Cardiovascular disease;
- Lack of puberty;
- The risk of miscarriage and the risk of premature birth are increased.
Modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of amenorrhea
Diagnosis of amenorrhea
The first important step in making a diagnosis is a medical history. The doctor will then conduct a pelvic exam. The doctor will examine the external and internal genital organs to rule out developmental abnormalities.
Hormonal diagnostics is crucial. The doctor determines the concentration in blood: FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, estrogen, TSH.
Also, an experienced doctor will conduct a pregnancy test and a blood test for β-hCG to rule out pregnancy.
The gynecological examination also includes smear collection and ultrasound of the abdominal and pelvic organs.
Depending on the suspected cause of amenorrhea, a qualified doctor will order additional tests. These include: hysteroscopy, laparoscopy (to assess ovarian function), and MRI and CT (to exclude a tumor in the brain).
Amenorrhea treatment
There is no specific therapy for amenorrhea.
The tactics and duration of treatment depend on the following factors:
- The reasons;
- Form and severity of amenorrhea;
- Forecast;
- The need for therapy.
Additional factors that an experienced doctor of a leading foreign clinic takes into account:
- Desire to have children;
- Desire to preserve fertility;
- Method of contraception;
- Cosmetic defects (acne, hirsutism).
Since amenorrhea is a multifactorial condition, a qualified doctor will treat the underlying disease that caused the absence of menstruation. In most cases, this automatically leads to the resumption of the menstrual cycle.
In case of hormonal and genetic disorders, the doctor will prescribe hormone replacement therapy.
Diseases of other organs (such as the ovaries and pituitary gland) are often treated with surgery.
Amenorrhea is often psychological. In this case, psychotherapy and reflexology (autogenic training, meditation) contribute to recovery.
The main treatment strategy for eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia) is to achieve normal body weight through diet and exercise.
