Primary Amenorrhea
Primary Amenorrhea Causes
There are many possible causes for primary amenorrhea including the following: drastic weight reduction, extreme obesity, malnutrition, long-term diseases. Congenital genital abnormalities such as absence of vagina or uterus, imperforate hymen or cervical stenosis may also cause primary amenorrhea. Other medical conditions including hypoglycemia, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, tumors, chromosomal abnormalities among others may also loss of menstrual periods.
Primary Amenorrhea Definition
Primary amenorrhea is a condition characterized by absence of menstrual periods by the age of sixteen (16).
Primary Amenorrhea Diagnosis
Diagnostic procedures to help diagnose primary amenorrhea include physical examination and medical history. Urine pregnancy test may help rule out pregnancy. Pelvic ultrasound will provide clear view of the uterus and other organs responsible for menstrual flow.
Primary Amenorrhea Symptoms and Signs
The solitary symptom suggesting primary amenorrhea is absence of menstrual period of a woman reaching the age of 16 and beyond despite undergoing normal changes occurring during puberty; though amenorrhea may present with or without these changes.
Primary Amenorrhea Treatment
Treatment is usually based on the cause of the absence of menstrual flow. For example, congenital causes like birth defects include medications, surgery or a combination of both approaches. Pituitary tumor causing primary amenorrhea is often treated by means of surgical removal of the tumor, medication with a drug called bromocriptine. In cases, when other treatments cannot bring favorable results, radiation therapy may help eliminate the tumor causing absence of menstrual flow.