AMENORRHEA
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding. However, the term Amenorrhea is a normal description for the lack of Menses in pre-pubertal, pregnant, and postmenopausal females. In females of reproductive age, diagnosing amenorrhea is a matter of first determining whether pregnancy is the etiology. In the absence of pregnancy, the challenge is to determine the exact cause of absent Menses.
CONSUME BANANAS FOR AMENORRHEA
- Primary amenorrhea is the failure of Menses to occur by age 16 years, in the presence of normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics. If by age 13 Menses has not occurred and the onset of puberty, such as breast development, is absent, a workup for primary amenorrhea should start.
- Secondary amenorrhea is defined as the cessation of Menses sometime after Menarche has occurred. [Menarche is the first menstrual cycle, or first menstrual bleeding, in female humans. From both social and medical perspectives, it is often considered the central event of female puberty, as it signals the possibility of fertility.] Oligomenorrhea (decreased menstrual bleeding) is defined as Menses occurring at intervals longer than 35 days apart.
How the normal menstrual does occur?
Basic to the entire menstrual cycle, are the female sex hormones:
Pituitary hormones--Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) [Follicle stimulating hormone is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. This hormone regulates ovulation, the growth and development of eggs in a woman's ovaries. Follicle stimulating hormone is used to treat infertility in women who cannot ovulate and do not have primary ovarian failure.]
The menstrual cycle actually has 2 components. The ovarian cycle & the uterine cycle:
Ovarian cycle
Slowly, near the end of each cycle the FSH from the pituitary stimulates the growth of a few primordial follicles. With their development they start secreting estrogen. The primordial follicles grow into Graafian follicles [fluid-filled structures in the mammalian ovary, within which an ovum develops before ovulation]. Though multiple follicles start growing, only one dominant follicle ripens to full maturity while the others degenerate. This fully mature follicle then ovulates.
Pituitary hormones--Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) [Follicle stimulating hormone is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. This hormone regulates ovulation, the growth and development of eggs in a woman's ovaries. Follicle stimulating hormone is used to treat infertility in women who cannot ovulate and do not have primary ovarian failure.]
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) [Luteinizing Hormone is a hormone produced by gonadotropic cells in the anterior pituitary gland. In females, an acute rise of LH triggers ovulation and development of the corpus luteum.]
- Ovarian hormones--Estrogen, Progesterone
The menstrual cycle actually has 2 components. The ovarian cycle & the uterine cycle:
Ovarian cycle
Slowly, near the end of each cycle the FSH from the pituitary stimulates the growth of a few primordial follicles. With their development they start secreting estrogen. The primordial follicles grow into Graafian follicles [fluid-filled structures in the mammalian ovary, within which an ovum develops before ovulation]. Though multiple follicles start growing, only one dominant follicle ripens to full maturity while the others degenerate. This fully mature follicle then ovulates.
- What is ovulation?
It is a process by which the ovarian follicle discharges its ovum into the peritoneal cavity (cavity of the abdomen) It is seen at puberty & is restricted to the reproductive period.
- How does ovulation occur?
In a 28 day cycle ovulation generally occurs on the 14th day. It is caused by an LH surge.
- What is LH surge?
There is a rapid increase in the level of LH 24--36 hours before ovulation. This in turn is responsible for ovulation.
After ovulation the follicular cells covering the ovum form the corpus luteum. In absence of pregnancy it degenerates after 7-8 post ovulatory days. In the case of pregnancy, the corpus luteum keeps on growing to support the pregnancy until development of placenta.
Uterine (Endometrial) Cycle
- Proliferative phase- It is under control of estrogen secreted by the follicles in the ovary. It causes rapid proliferation of the cells of the endometrial cells. glands develop during this phase & the entire tissue is highly vascular.
- Secretory phase- Coincides with the post ovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle. Under control of progesterone. The glands develop fully & the uterus prepares itself to receive the fertilized ovum.
- Menstrual phase- In absence of pregnancy the corpus luteum degenerates & this leads to a sudden fall in the levels of estrogen & progesterone. Sudden withdrawal of the hormonal support of the uterus causes shedding of the proliferated endometrium & hence bleeding. This manifests as menstruation. In case of pregnancy, the hormonal support continues & the endometrium receives the fertilized ovum; there being no ovulation.
Amenorrhea Causes:
Amenorrhea can result because of an abnormality in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract, or functional causes.
- Hypothalamic causes
- Nutritional deficiency
- Low body weight or growth delay
- Craniopharyngioma (a brain tumor near the pituitary gland)
- Teratoma (a tumor made up of a mixture of tissues)
- Sarcoidosis (a chronic disease of unknown cause characterized by the formation of nodules in different parts of the body)
2. Pituitary causes
- Prolactinemia (high blood levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates secretion of milk from the breasts during breastfeeding) - possibly caused by prolactinoma (a tumor of the pituitary gland secreting the hormone prolactin)
- Other pituitary tumors (eg: Cushing Syndrome, acromegaly [abnormal growth of the hands, feet, and face, caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. ] or thyroid-stimulating hormone)
- Autoimmune hypophysitis (cells of the pituitary gland destroyed by the body’s own defense system)
3. Ovarian causes
- Anovulation (lack of the release of an egg)
- high blood levels of male hormones
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age)
- Premature ovarian failure
- Turner Syndrome (a genetic disorder characterized by underdeveloped ovaries, absence of menstrual onset, and short stature)
- Pure gonadal dysgenesis (defective development of the ovary)
- Autoimmune oophoritis (cells of the ovaries destroyed by the body’s own defense system)
- Mullerian duct abnormalities (anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract)
- Intrauterine adhesions (the opposing surfaces of the uterine cavity stick together)
- Cryptomenorrhoea – Imperforate hymen (a hymen in which there is no opening, the membrane completely closes off the vagina)
- Transverse vaginal septum (a dividing wall or membrane in the vagina)
- Aplasia (absence of an organ or tissue) of the vagina, the cervix, or the uterus
4. Functional causes
- Anorexia/bulimia
- Chronic diseases (for example, tuberculosis)
- Excessive weight gain or weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Depression or other psychiatric disorders
- Recreational drug abuse
- Psychotropic drug use (drugs prescribed to stabilize or improve mood, mental status, or behavior)
- Excessive stress
- Excessive exercise
- Cycle suppression with systemic hormonal contraceptive (birth control) pills
Symptoms:
- Galactorrhea [excessive or inappropriate production of milk]
- Headache
- visual field defects
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Cold intolerance/ heat intolerance
- Palpitations
- Nervousness
- Tremor
- Acne
- Hirsutism (development of male type of facial hairs)
- Deepening of the voice
Management:
- In some women, nutritional deficiencies induced by dieting can cause amenorrhea. Such women should eat a properly balanced diet.
- In some women, excessive body weight could be the cause of amenorrhea. These women should restrict the amount of fat in their diet, and they should exercise moderately to maintain an ideal body weight.
- More than 8 hours of vigorous exercise a week may cause amenorrhea. A moderate exercise program may restore normal menstruation.
- In women with anorexia nervosa or excessive weight loss, normal menstrual cycles can often be restored by undergoing treatment to restore and maintain a healthy body weight.
- If amenorrhea is caused by emotional stress, finding ways to deal with stress and conflicts may help.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are also helpful.
The HOMEOPATHIC Drugs:
Bibliography:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amenorrhea/basics/definition/con-20031561
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenorrhoea
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/252928-overview
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/amenorrhea/article_em.htm
http://www.healthline.com/health/secondary-amenorrhea
bcove.me/j17tanju
http://treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-amenorrhea/
http://abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/146995/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amenorrhea/basics/definition/con-20031561
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenorrhoea
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/252928-overview
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/amenorrhea/article_em.htm
http://www.healthline.com/health/secondary-amenorrhea
bcove.me/j17tanju
http://treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-amenorrhea/
http://abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/146995/