Menstruation

ALTERNATIVE DOCTOR, LLC

Menstruation, Absence of

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. When a girl reaches age 16 and has not begun menstruating, she may have primary amenorrhea. When a woman who has had menstrual cycles misses three periods in a row, she is considered to have secondary amenorrhea. A hormone balance can cause hypoestrogenemic amenorrhea.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms sometimes related to primary amenorrhea include headaches; abnormal blood pressure; vision problems; acne; excessive hair growth, and perhaps either a short, stubby physique or extremely tall stature.

Symptoms sometimes related to secondary amenorrhea include nausea, swollen breasts, headaches, vision problems, unusual thirst, goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland), skin darkening,extreme weight loss, alcoholism, liver disease, and kidney failure. Hot flushes, mood changes, depression, and vaginal dryness are common with estrogen deficiency.

What Causes It?

Generally, the causes of amenorrhea include certain genetic defects, body structure abnormalities, or endocrine disorders. Specific causes include the following.

	Developmental problems, such as the absence of the uterus or vagina
	Hormone imbalance produced by the endocrine system
	Excessive amounts of the male hormone testosterone
	Improper functioning of the ovaries
	Intrauterine infection or endometritis
	Menopause, usually between the ages of 40 and 55
	Pregnancy or breast feeding
	Discontinuation of oral contraceptives
	Disease (such as diabetes mellitus or tuberculosis)
	Stress or psychological disorders
	Malnutrition, extreme weight loss, anorexia nervosa
	Extreme obesity (overweight)
	Extreme exercise (such as long-distance running)
	Drug abuse

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your provider will conduct a physical examination, which will include an internal pelvic examination. Laboratory tests may include analysis of mucus from the cervix and uterus, blood tests, and computer assisted tomography (CAT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound.

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

Treatment depends on the cause of your amenorrhea. Some conditions, such as pituitary tumors, may need drugs specific to the problem or even surgery.

Drug Therapies

Prescription

	Oral contraceptives and hormones—may help menstruation to begin
	Estrogen replacement therapy—to increase estrogen levels in women who are postmenopausal, have had a hysterectomy, or who have ovarian disorders; reduces cardiovascular disease, inhibits osteoporosis, and decreases menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes; must be taken with progestin for women with intact uterus to avoid uterine cancer; increases risk of breast cancer, gallbladder disease, and blood clotting; some alternative estrogens are available
	Progesterone—for ovarian cysts and some intrauterine disorders; do not use if you want to become pregnant

Over the Counter

N/A

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies may help the body metabolize hormones while ensuring that the nutritional requirements for hormone production are met.

Nutrition

Eat fewer refined foods and limit animal products. Limit the cruciferous family of vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale). Eliminate methylxanthines (coffee, chocolate). Eat more whole grains, organic vegetables, and omega-3 fats (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds). In addition, you may take the following supplements.

	Calcium (1,000 mg per day), magnesium (600 mg per day), vitamin D (200 to 400 IU/day), vitamin K (1 mg per day), and boron (1 to 3 mg per day).
	Iodine (up to 600 mcg per day), tyrosine (200 mg one to two times per day), zinc (30 mg per day), vitamin E (800 IU per day), vitamin A (10,000 to 15,000 IU per day), vitamin C (1,000 mg three times per day), and selenium (200 mcg per day).
	B₆ (200 mg per day) may reduce high prolactin levels.
	Essential fatty acids: Flax seed, evening primrose, or borage oil (1,000 to 1,500 mg one to two times per day).

Herbs

Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. .

	Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-cactus) helps normalize pituitary function but must be taken for 12 to 18 months. Use under the supervision of your provider if you take hormone therapy.
	Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and squaw vine (Mitchella repens) help to balance estrogen levels. Do not take licorice if you have high blood pressure.
	Chaste tree, wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), and lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) help balance progesterone levels.
	Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosis), oatstraw (Avena sativa), and horsetail (Equisetum arvense) are rich in minerals that support the thyroid.
	Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), dandelion root (Taraxecum officinalis), and vervain (Verbena hastata) support the liver.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy may be useful as a supportive therapy.

Physical Medicine

The following help increase circulation and relieve pelvic congestion.

	Castor oil pack. Apply oil to skin of abdomen, cover with a clean soft cloth and plastic wrap. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the pack and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Use for three days.
	Contrast sitz baths. Use two basins that you can comfortably sit in. Sit in hot water for three minutes, then in cold water for one minute. Repeat this three times to complete one "set." Do one to two sets per day, three to four days per week.

Acupuncture

May help normalize hormone production and endocrine function.

Massage

Therapeutic massage may improve endocrine function by relieving stress.

Special Considerations

Becoming pregnant may be difficult or impossible. Amenorrhea also may cause pregnancy complications.

Supporting Research

Mowrey DB. The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine. New Canaan, Conn: Keats Publishing; 1988.

National Institutes of Health: Accessed at www.nih.gov on January 16, 1999.

Tierney LM, McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, eds. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 1999. 38th ed. Stamford, Conn: Appleton & Lange; 1999.

Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. New York, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1994.

Ullman D. Discovering Homeopathy. Berkeley, Calif: North Atlantic Books; 1991.

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.