Missed period - WatsonsHealth

MISSED PERIOD

A missed period, or amenorrhea, is the absence of menstrual periods. Amenorrhea arises when a woman fails to menstruate for three to six months.

A missed period can be due to many reasons. The most common cause is pregnancy. Nonetheless, amenorrhea can be caused by lifestyle changes such as body weight and exercise levels. In some cases, hormonal imbalances or problems with the reproductive organs can bring about missed periods.

You will have to see your doctor if you experience a missed period. The primary cause of your missed periods could require treatment.

Natural reasons that can cause missed periods are pregnancy, breast-feeding, and menopause.

Other reasons may include too much exercise or stress. Moreover, having too little body fat or too much body fat might also halt menstruation.

Hormonal imbalances may lead to missed periods. They’re caused by tumors on the pituitary gland or the thyroid gland. Low estrogen stages or high testosterone levels may additionally cause them.

Medicinal drugs can cause amenorrhea in some females. Antipsychotics and antidepressants are often responsible. Drugs that treat high blood pressure can cause difficulties with menstruation as well. Abruptly stopping birth control drugs may also result in absent periods until the cycle returns to usual.

Physical defects like structural problems in the female reproductive organs may also cause absent or delayed menstruation. These problems may stem from birth anomalies, tumors, or infections. In some circumstances, absent periods might be a symptom of Asherman’s syndrome. This occurs because of scarring in the uterus after a surgical procedure.

Types

The two forms of missed periods are referred to as primary and secondary.

  • Primary amenorrhea is when a teenage woman has attained or has passed the age of 16 and nonetheless hasn’t had her first period. Most women start menstruating between ages 9 and 18, but 12 is the common age.
  • Secondary amenorrhea is when a lady has ceased menstruating for at least three months. This is the most common type of amenorrhea.

Generally, each form can be treated easily.

 

Symptoms

A girl who still has missed periods at the age of 16 will have to see a medical professional. She should also go if she is aged 14 or older and hasn’t experienced any indicators of puberty and the following:

  • Breast development
  • Pubic hair development
  • Onset of menstrual periods

Menstruating women should see their doctor if they’ve missed three or more menstrual periods in a row.

Diagnosis

When you see your physician about amenorrhea, he or she will perform a physical examination and ask you some questions. Be ready to talk about your usual menstrual cycle, your lifestyle, and other signs and symptoms you’re experiencing. Your doctor can even order a pregnancy test if you happen to have missed periods in three months. If that condition is recognized, you may want more assessments to explore the primary reason of your missed periods. These diagnostic exams may include the following:

  • Blood tests including prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone
  • Ultrasound to view various organs, such as the ovaries and uterus, and check for abnormal growths
  • CT scan to look for masses in your glands and organs

 

Medications/Treatment

Hormonal imbalances can be treated with supplemental or artificial hormones, which are able to help normalize hormone levels. Your doctor might also need to get rid of ovarian cysts, scar tissue, or uterine lesions which are triggering you to miss your menstrual periods. Your doctor may also suggest some lifestyle changes.

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