Amenorrhea refers to an abnormal absence of menstruation or scanty discharge. Now a days, this has become a common disorder present in women.

The levels of female reproductive hormones are not sufficient to stimulate menstruation in women.

The woman is known to be suffering from ‘primary amenorrhea’ if she has never menstruated before the age of 16.

And ‘secondary amenorrhea’ if her menstruation is scanty or absent after being menstruating for a regular period of months or years.

Description

Amenorrhea or scanty discharge of menstrual blood may be due to anemia or general ill health or certain serious diseases like TB, Bright’s disease or malaria of a prolonged nature.

In cases of scanty discharge of menstrual blood, the main cause should be diagnosed and treated. Sometimes, anemia can cause delayed period and if it is due to anemia, the treatment of anemia should be commenced and then amenorrhea should be treated. Aggravated dyspepsia, prolonged malaria or Bright’s disease should be treated first, in case they have given rise to scanty and painful discharge. In cases where the exact cause is not known, general tonics and remedies for improving the health of the patient should be administered.

Causes of amenorrhea

The most common cause of amenorrhea is pregnancy. Many women of reproductive age experience this at some point in their lives.

Women who are overweight fall short of menstruation. Also women who are involved in sports and hectic exercise, hectic schedule, joggers and even under stress have a delayed period. Also following a hectic and improper diet and lifestyle causes delayed period.

Menstruation is delayed even during lactation. And women who are nearing menopausal stage, it is quite common of skipping periods.

Sometimes disorder of the function of pituitary or thyroid gland can cause amenorrhea. Failure to resume menstruation after childbirth, particularly even if lactation is absent indicates that the pituitary gland failed either partly or completely at the time of delivery, a condition called post-partum pituitary necrosis.

Sometimes amenorrhea is associated with malnutrition that occurs in anorexia nervosa or due to excessive exercise which puts excessive nutritional demands on the body. Severe amenorrhea can lead to osteoporosis.

The other causes of amenorrhea are drastic weight reduction, hypoglycemia, tumors of the pituitary or adrenal glands, tumors of the ovaries, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, Hyperprolactinemia, true hermaphrodites, cystic fibrosis, long term illness etc.

In case of hypogonadism, or when the gonads are secreting small quantities of estrogens as a result of other factors, such as hypothyroidism, the ovarian cycle will not occur normally. Instead, several months may elapse between menstrual periods or menstruation may cease altogether.

Symptoms

The symptoms of amenorrhea include absence of menstruation, hirsutism (abnormal distribution of hair), sometimes poorly developed breast and secretions from the breast. A few of them suffer from headache or stress during a delayed period.

Treatment

Conventional treatment includes prescription of hormonal pills to regulate the menstrual cycle.

In case of osteoporosis due to severe amenorrhea, estrogen along with calcium supplement is prescribed.

Dietary changes

A nourishing diet with plenty of milk, fruit and plenty of vegetables should be taken. A medical check-up for evidence of any chronic infection or disease is necessary.

Athletic women or women who are susceptible to anorexia should have a diet comprising of additional calories, protein, carbohydrate, fats, vitamins and minerals. One should also avoid excessive physical and mental strain.

Ayurvedic medicines for amenorrhea or absence of menstruation

There are certain Ayurvedic medicines useful in treating amenorrhea or absence of menstruation. Such types of medicines induce the menstruation normally and the menstrual cycles are also regular. Rajahpravartini vati, Pushyanuga choornam are some of the remedies that are useful in regulating the menstrual cycle.

Herbal pack for absence of menstruation or amenorrhea

• Chanderprabha vati – 2 tablets twice daily before meals with plain water

• Triphala – 1 capsule twice daily after meals

• Female Health Support – 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water