Amenorrhea is a common gynecological condition that manifests itself as the absence of menstruation or cessation of menstruation. It is divided into primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea based on the presence or absence of previous menstrual periods. The incidence of secondary amenorrhea is significantly higher than that of primary amenorrhea. The etiology is complex and is divided into hypothalamic amenorrhea, pituitary amenorrhea, ovarian amenorrhea and uterine amenorrhea according to the four links that control menstruation.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea is the most common and is mainly due to functional causes such as (1) mental stimulation. Sudden or prolonged mental depression, stress, apprehension, environmental changes, overexertion, emotional changes, cold, etc. Resulting in neuroendocrine disorders.
(2) Excessive weight loss.
(3) Long-term strenuous exercise.
(4) Long-term use of certain drugs, etc.
Pituitary amenorrhea: due to postpartum hemorrhage resulting in pituitary infarction, pituitary tumor, etc. This affects the function of the pituitary gland and reduces the secretion of gonadotropins, which in turn affects the ovarian functions such as follicle-free development and ovulation.
Ovarian amenorrhea: The cause of amenorrhea is in the ovaries. Low secretion of sex hormones by the ovaries does not allow the endometrium to proliferate and exfoliate during the cycle and cause amenorrhea. Common causes: such as depletion of follicles in the ovaries before the age of 40, gynecological surgery resulting in the ovarian blood supply being affected or radiotherapy and chemotherapy destroying ovarian function, etc., resulting in amenorrhea called premature ovarian failure. In addition, polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by prolonged anovulation and hyperandrogenemia. Clinical manifestations are amenorrhea, infertility, hirsutism, and obesity.
Uterine amenorrhea: mostly due to excessive scraping of the uterus resulting in endometrial damage, causing adhesions in the uterine cavity and amenorrhea.
Due to the complex causes of amenorrhea, diagnosis and treatment should be symptomatic, standardized, scientific, and not to rush to the doctor. Pay attention to reproductive health care, avoid the above-mentioned many man-made factors leading to amenorrhea, and reduce unplanned pregnancies resulting in abortion, etc.