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Amenorrhea - About
A loss of periods is called amenorrhea, a condition that may result from low levels of certain hormones. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Get enough nutrients
Eat more food or choose a high-calorie supplement if you are underweight, have low body fat, or are an athlete
- Look after your bones
Protect yourself from amenorrhea-related bone loss by taking 800 to 1,500 of calcium and 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D each day
- Get a checkup
Visit your doctor to find out if your amenorrhea is the result of a treatable medical problem
- Regulate your workouts
Balance hormone function by avoiding intense or excessive exercise
Also indexed as:
- amenorrhea,
- loss of periods,
- no periods
About this treatment
About This Condition
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual cycles.
Amenorrhea is called primary when a woman has not started to menstruate by the age of 16 years, while secondary amenorrhea refers to the abnormal cessation of menstruation in a woman who previously has had menstrual cycles. In amenorrheic women, the levels of female reproductive hormones are not sufficient to stimulate menstruation. This condition is sometimes associated with malnutrition, such as that which occurs in anorexia nervosa, or with extreme exercise, which puts excessive nutritional and other demands on the body. An association between stress and amenorrhea has also been demonstrated. Amenorrhea may also result from potentially serious disorders of the ovaries, the hypothalamus, or the pituitary gland; therefore, a physician should always evaluate chronic absence of menstrual cycles. Prolonged amenorrhea can result in early bone loss and increased risk of osteoporosis. Amenorrhea occurs naturally in women who are breast-feeding, but in these circumstances it does not put the bones at risk.
Symptoms
Women with amenorrhea may have symptoms of absent periods, increased facial hair, decreased pubic and armpit hair, deeper voice, decreased breast size, and secretions from the breast.
Holistic Options
In a number of preliminary trials,acupuncture has been shown to induce ovulation in women with disorders involving lack of ovulation. Preliminary studies show that levels of estrogen and progesterone, as well as levels of the related hormones LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), may all be affected by acupuncture. Few studies have looked at the use of acupuncture for treatment of amenorrhea, but one preliminary trial found it helpful for women who have widely separated menstrual cycles. In one controlled trial, amenorrheic women showed a trend toward normalizing hormone levels following acupuncture.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
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