Amenorrhea is a gynecological disease characterised by absence of menstrual bleeding. There are two types of amenorrhea, Primary and secondary. when a girl reaches her age for mentruation but did not begin menstruating ( at the most by 16 years of age) it is considered as primary amenorrhea, where as if a woman who has had manstrual cycles and misses three periods in a row, she needs treatment for secondary amenorrhea. A hypoestrogenic amenorrhea can be caused due to hormone imbalance. The other causes for amenorrhea could be pregnancy, lactation or menopause.
Diagnostic Tests for Amenorrhea
It is important to test for pregnancy and rule out the possibility by throough physical and pelvic examination before diagnostic tests for secondary amenorrhea can be initiated. At times it is also necessary for amenorrhea patients to have psychological conunselling to address any fears and concerns.
Diagnostic tests for Aemnorrhead may include:
- Endometrial biopsy
- Progestin withdrawal
- Prolactin level
- Serum hormone levels such as testosterone levels
- Thyroid function studies
- Pregnancy test (serum HCG)
- FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone Level)
- LH (Luteinizing hormone level)
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone; other thyroid function tests)
- Karyotype to rule out the presence of Y chromosome abnormality
- CT scan of the head may be done if a pituitary tumor is suspected
Amenorrhea is not really a disease, rather it can be classified as a sign that rarely results from anything serious. However, not knowing what has caused the stop of menstruation could be very stressfull for women. Doctors can definitely help to find the causes of Amnorrhea and treatment for amenorrhea, however, some psychological counselling can also help the patients to relieve the stress.
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