What does amenorrhea mean?

Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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The term "amenorrhea" that we often talk about refers to the sudden cessation of menstruation after it has occurred, stopping for more than three to six months. The normal age for menopause is around fifty years old, and a deviation of 3-5 years earlier or later is considered normal. Young women experiencing amenorrhea need to have their sex hormones tested, and then the menstrual cycle can be adjusted based on the results. There are many causes of amenorrhea, such as endocrine disorders, uterine diseases, emotional fluctuations, medication influences, gynecological inflammation, excessive fatigue, and severe mental stress, all of which can lead to amenorrhea. It is important to timely use dietary therapy and medication to treat it.

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Causes of Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea can be physiological or pathological. Physiological amenorrhea, for example, occurs during the breastfeeding period when menstruation is irregular for three consecutive months; this is considered normal. Also, some patients may experience temporary amenorrhea due to medications used to treat conditions such as endometriosis, which is also normal. Pathological amenorrhea, commonly seen in clinical settings, includes conditions such as ovarian dysfunction, severe intrauterine adhesions, premature ovarian failure, or other endocrine disorders, which can result in the absence of menstruation. It is essential for individuals experiencing amenorrhea to undergo relevant medical examinations to identify the cause, followed by appropriate treatments based on the findings.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
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How to regulate amenorrhea for one year?

If a woman under 40 experiences amenorrhea for a year, it is advisable to check the six sex hormones. If there is an increase in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, it indicates menopause. However, menopause before 40 is called premature ovarian failure, and hormone replacement therapy is needed. This treatment can delay aging in women and improve post-menopausal symptoms. If menopause occurs after the age of 40, it is a natural state. Every woman will go through menopause, and if menopausal symptoms occur, hormone replacement therapy can also be used.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is amenorrhea a disease?

Amenorrhea is first divided into physiological or pathological. If it is physiological, it generally is not a major issue, but pathological cases must be treated symptomatically. For physiological amenorrhea, such as not menstruating for three months during the breastfeeding period, this is normal. It's mainly influenced by the secretion of prolactin from the ovaries, so it’s possible not to have menstruation during breastfeeding, and this is not a problem. Moreover, some people use medications, such as those used to treat endometriosis, which can cause amenorrhea; this type of amenorrhea is normal, and menstruation usually resumes after stopping the medication. Then there is pathological amenorrhea, typically seen with severe conditions like uterine endometrium or intrauterine adhesions, which can also cause a lack of menstruation. Additionally, ovarian secretory dysfunction, certain endocrine disorders, or premature ovarian failure, can all lead to amenorrhea, requiring related medical examinations and symptomatic treatment in a hospital.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Will amenorrhea cause nipple pain?

Women experiencing amenorrhea may also feel pain in their nipples, which is generally considered a normal, temporary physiological reaction. This occurs because, prior to the cessation of menstruation, the secretion rate of endogenous estrogen decreases, and the breast tissue cannot quickly adapt to this change, leading to breast pain. If the pain persists or becomes severe, it is also important to watch out for pathological diseases, such as breast hyperplasia and other conditions. Do not squeeze the breasts with your hands, avoid wearing tight bras, and timely breast ultrasound examinations should be conducted to guide treatment based on the results.

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What should I do if my period has been absent for three months?

If a woman does not menstruate for three months, medically this is called amenorrhea. If she is relatively young, it is essential to visit a hospital for relevant examinations. Generally, an ultrasound is conducted first to check the thickness of the endometrial lining and to assess if there are any organic diseases affecting the uterus or ovaries. If the endometrium appears thin and there are no organic diseases, further examinations should include tests for six sex hormones, which are indicators of ovarian function. If the results suggest premature ovarian failure or some endocrine disorders, treatment can be tailored according to these findings. Moreover, if the woman has reached menopausal age and indeed has not menstruated for three months, this condition is considered amenorrhea, which might be physiological. Hence, if an older woman experiences amenorrhea, it is likely true menopausal amenorrhea. Additionally, if a woman who normally has regular menstrual cycles does not menstruate for three months, pregnancy cannot be ruled out, and it is crucial to conduct relevant tests for early pregnancy.