What is amenorrhea?

Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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In clinical practice, amenorrhea is an external manifestation caused by pathological and physiological changes in women's bodies, resulting from various diseases. Generally, the most typical symptom of amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation or the cessation of periods. There are many causes of amenorrhea, which may include exposure to cold, fatigue, emotional stress, bacterial infections, and disruptions in hormone secretion caused by medications or diseases. If amenorrhea occurs, it can be managed through diet by avoiding picky and unbalanced eating, and consciously increasing the intake of high-protein and high-calorie foods, which helps in hormone production and conversion, maintaining normal menstruation. Additionally, if dietary adjustments prove ineffective, it is important to seek prompt medical examination and treatment at a hospital.

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What are the symptoms before amenorrhea?

Before menopause, women will experience some symptoms of menopause, which manifest as menstrual disorders, including excessive menstruation, insufficient menstruation, early menstruation, or missing periods for two to three months. The main symptoms of menopause include irritability, easy annoyance, hot flashes, night sweats, and poor sleep at night. These are all caused by menopause. At this time, hormone replacement therapy can be used. Hormone replacement therapy is very effective for treating menopausal syndrome, delaying aging in women, and protecting women's bones and heart.

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Will amenorrhea cause nipple pain?

Women experiencing amenorrhea may also feel pain in their nipples, which is generally considered a normal, temporary physiological reaction. This occurs because, prior to the cessation of menstruation, the secretion rate of endogenous estrogen decreases, and the breast tissue cannot quickly adapt to this change, leading to breast pain. If the pain persists or becomes severe, it is also important to watch out for pathological diseases, such as breast hyperplasia and other conditions. Do not squeeze the breasts with your hands, avoid wearing tight bras, and timely breast ultrasound examinations should be conducted to guide treatment based on the results.

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Is it normal to have amenorrhea without vaginal discharge?

The absence of vaginal discharge during amenorrhea is generally a normal phenomenon, indicating that the amenorrhea is caused by a reduction in estrogen and diminished ovarian function. This condition is commonly seen in endocrine disorders such as hyperprolactinemia or premature ovarian failure. It is necessary to examine the six female sex hormones and thyroid function to confirm the diagnosis. If the examination reveals elevated prolactin levels, diagnosing hyperprolactinemia, a head CT scan is generally required. If a pituitary tumor is present, surgical treatment should be conducted. If no pituitary tumor is found, treatment with a specific medication like bromocriptine is given, after which menstruation and normal vaginal discharge will resume. Another scenario is seen in cases of premature ovarian failure, which also leads to amenorrhea and a reduction in vaginal discharge. For premature ovarian failure, a common approach is to use cyclical hormone replacement therapy to restore menstruation and vaginal discharge.

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Amenorrhea: Symptoms and Causes

Clinically, the most typical manifestation of amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation or the cessation of menstruation. There are many causes of amenorrhea, including menopausal syndrome, exposure to cold, fatigue, emotions, bacterial infections, medications, and diseases, all of which can lead to hormonal imbalances and increased levels of male hormones. Amenorrhea can be divided into primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is less common and is often caused by genetic and congenital developmental defects. Secondary amenorrhea has a higher incidence than primary amenorrhea, and active treatment is required in such cases.

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How to quickly induce menstruation when it has stopped.

Women with amenorrhea should first undergo a blood and urine HCG test to rule out the possibility of pregnancy. After excluding pregnancy, it is generally necessary to check the female sex hormone levels and thyroid function. Sometimes, specific diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, and premature ovarian failure can cause amenorrhea, and these specific diseases should be treated accordingly to induce menstruation. For polycystic ovary syndrome, treatment often involves the use of oral contraceptives to induce menstruation; for hyperprolactinemia, treatment typically involves the use of bromocriptine; for premature ovarian failure, estrogen-progestogen cycle replacement is usually prescribed. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)