Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea in women - what it is, causes and treatment
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation for six months or more in a woman aged 16-45. It can be chronic, physiological and pathological. It is also possible to develop dysmenorrhea - there are periods, but they are irregular, painful, blood discharge does not correspond to the norm. The gynecologist determines the exact causes and treatment after examining the patient.
Causes of amenorrhea
The occurrence of this pathological condition is caused by disturbances in the hormonal system of a woman. If there are problems in the production of hormones of the hypothalamus, ovaries, adrenal glands, then with a high probability you can expect the absence of menstruation. Thyroid hormones can affect the menstrual cycle.
The causes of primary dysmenorrhea in teenagers are considered separately in gynecology. Such a diagnosis is made if a girl at the age of 16 has not yet had her periods, and as soon as they appear, she is disturbed by severe pains in the lower abdomen. The cause of this condition can be not only hormonal disorders, but also an incorrect structure of the internal genital organs. These disorders are congenital, require surgical correction and in most cases lead to primary infertility.
The absence of menstruation during breastfeeding is considered a physiological condition and does not require treatment. During this process, the ovulation process is suppressed in the mother's body.
Symptoms of amenorrhea
The main symptom of this pathological condition is the absence of menstruation for more than 6 months in a row. The nuances depend on the form and degree of amenorrhea:
- primary amenorrhea - the girl has reached the age of 16, but there are no periods;
- secondary amenorrhea – the absence of monthly menstrual discharge for 6 months after the menstrual cycle was established in adolescence.
Light, medium and severe degrees of the secondary form of amenorrhea are distinguished. In the first two cases, there are no pronounced symptoms, but unmotivated irritation, outbursts of aggression, and depression may appear. Many patients complain of a rapid increase in body weight against the background of lack of appetite or with the usual diet. In this case, the doctor diagnoses the syndrome of hormonal amenorrhea and carries out specific treatment after finding out which hormone is produced in the body in too much or too little quantity.
Severe secondary amenorrhea can be accompanied by vasomotor disorders - their signs are constant mood swings, apathy, and reduced work capacity. In addition, the woman indicates soreness and increased sensitivity in the genital area, pain during intercourse, lack of sexual desire.
It is important to seek qualified medical assistance if signs of a menstrual cycle disorder appear. Differential diagnosis of false amenorrhea is necessary - a condition in which there is no blood flow during pregnancy due to a closed cervical canal. In this case, hormonal therapy is not prescribed, surgical treatment is advisable.
With prolonged secondary amenorrhea, a woman may experience a spontaneous short-term recovery of menstruation. Moreover, even conception is possible. This is observed in polycystic ovaries, when there is an independent restoration of the body's reproductive capacity. It occurs extremely rarely - no more than in 2 women out of 20 with diagnosed amenorrhea.
Treatment of the disease
Before prescribing treatment, a woman should be examined and find out what caused such a violation of the menstrual cycle. Most often, hormonal problems are noted, and this requires special drugs. How to treat gonadotropic amenorrhea - a condition in which pituitary hormones are not synthesized:
- hormonal drugs;
- correction of the diet;
- if necessary - correction of body weight (decrease or increase).
Problems with the production of specific hormones can be congenital.
Treatment of secondary amenorrhea also consists in taking hormonal drugs. Even if a woman does not plan to give birth, treatment is necessary - it will help normalize the general condition of the body.
What is dysmenorrhea in women, why it appears and what treatment can be prescribed for amenorrhea - a gynecologist will tell you more about this. You can make an appointment on our website https://dobrobut.com/.
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