Technology

Amenorrhea

This is the lack of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive capability. These are stages seen either when a woman is breast feeding or during pregnancy. Apart from the reproductive period, there are instances that a woman misses her menstrual cycle these include the period of childhood and after menopause (Judith, 1999). It is a symptom with several possible causes.

There are two types of amenorrhea we have the primary and the secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is when the menstrual cycle never starts in a lady and this may have been caused by developmental problems such as the congenital absence of the uterus or failure of the ovary to receive or maintain egg cells (Warner, 2007). Further researches have found out that, delay in pubertal development can also lead to primary amenorrhea. And it can be referred to as the absence of secondary sexual characteristics by the age of 14.On the other hand, secondary amenorrhea is caused by the hormonal disturbances from the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands or from premature menopause (Stanback 2002), . It is referred as the absence of menses for three months in a woman with previously normal menstruation.

The main cause of amenorrhea has not fully been established. The normal menstrual cycle occurs because of changing levels of hormones made and secreted by the ovaries. The ovaries respond to hormonal signals from the pituitary gland that is located on the base of the brain, which is, in turn, controlled by hormones produced in the hypothalamus of the brain. Any disorder that will possibly interfere with any component of this regulatory cycle can lead to amenorrhea (Judith, 1999).
Another possible genetic cause of amenorrhea is the Turner Syndrome. This is where women are lacking all or part of the two x chromosomes that are normally present in the females. Here, the ovaries are replaced by scar tissue and estrogen production is minimal, resulting in amenorrhea.

Other conditions that can cause amenorrhea especially primary amenorrhea include the androgen insensitivity in which individuals have the XY chromosomes but they do not develop to exhibit this external uniqueness of males of males due to lack of response to testosterone and its effects (Warner, 2007). Some other conditions that can affect the hypothalamus leading to hypothalamus amenorrhea include extreme weight loss, emotional or physical stress, rigorous exercise and severe illness among others (Warner, 2007). Other types of medical conditions that can cause secondary amenorrhea include tumors or other diseases of the pituitary gland that can lead to increased levels of hormone prolactin, hypothyroidism, ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome and many others.

The only symptoms of the disease are when a female of the reproductive age fails to develop menstrual cycle especially at the age of 16 years. Also, when a woman, who has been previously receiving her menstrual cycle, stops having her periods for three consecutive cycles, she is said to be having secondary amenorrhea (Stanback, 2002). Other symptoms may however include hormonal imbalance or irregular menstrual periods. Milk discharge can also be another symptom this is due to the fact that there are elevated prolactin levels.

Treatment of amenorrhea should be administered immediately the disease is diagnosed. The physician may administer various types of hormones to see whether ovaries are functioning well. Providing that there is no underlying disorder causing amenorrhea, treatment is generally unnecessary (Judith, 1999). However, women who are not undergoing the menstrual cycle seem vulnerable to osteoporosis a physician may suggest estrogen and calcium for such women. If there is an underlying disorder that is causing either the primary or secondary amenorrhea, drugs will be described depending on the nature of the disorder.