Amenorrhea in Teens

What’s amenorrhea in teenagers?

Amenorrhea is when a woman’s menstrual bleeding (interval) doesn’t happen. There are 2 varieties:

• Main amenorrhea. This kind is when the primary menstrual bleeding at puberty doesn’t happen by age 15. This drawback could also be lifelong.

• Secondary amenorrhea. This kind is when regular menstrual bleeding stops occurring for 3 months or extra. It might be due to a bodily trigger and often occurs later in life.

What causes amenorrhea in a teen?

Amenorrhea can have many causes, together with:

• Ovulation issues. This will trigger irregular or missed menstrual intervals.

• Thyroid dysfunction. In lots of circumstances, a thyroid gland that’s underactive or overactive could cause missed intervals.

• Weight problems. Ladies who’re obese might have modifications in ovulation as a consequence of physique fats. This will trigger missed intervals.

• Loads of train. Some woman athletes don’t have menstrual intervals due to low quantities of physique fats.

• Consuming dysfunction. Ladies with anorexia or bulimia might have amenorrhea if their physique weight is simply too low.

• Pituitary adenoma. It is a tumor that grows within the mind. It might trigger issues with the conventional operate of hormones. This will stop ovulation and trigger missed intervals.

• Bodily drawback (delivery defect). If a woman has not began to menstruate by age 15, it might be from an issue with how the reproductive system fashioned earlier than delivery.

• Being pregnant. Menstrual intervals cease throughout being pregnant.

Which teenagers are in danger for amenorrhea?

A teen is extra in danger for amenorrhea for any of the beneath causes:

• Being an athlete

• Being obese

• Having an consuming dysfunction

• Having a thyroid dysfunction

• Having ovulation issues

What are the signs of amenorrhea in a teen?

The primary symptom isn’t any menstrual bleeding when it’s anticipated.

The signs of amenorrhea might be like different well being circumstances. Ensure your teen sees her healthcare supplier for a prognosis.

How is amenorrhea identified in a teen?

A healthcare supplier diagnoses amenorrhea in these circumstances:

• No menstrual bleeding for 3 months or extra in a woman with beforehand regular intervals

• No menstrual bleeding for six months or extra in a woman with irregular intervals

• No menstrual bleeding by age 15

The healthcare supplier will ask about your teen’s signs and well being historical past. The supplier will give your teen a bodily examination. The bodily examination might embody a pelvic examination. Your teen may have checks, comparable to:

• Blood checks. These have a look at hormone ranges and verify for being pregnant.

• Pelvic ultrasound. This painless check makes use of sound waves to create pictures of the within of the physique. It may possibly present bodily issues of the reproductive system.

The healthcare supplier may have to search for different menstrual issues, well being issues, or medicines that could be inflicting or making the situation worse.

How is amenorrhea handled in a teen?

Therapy will rely in your little one’s signs, age, and normal well being. It can additionally rely upon the trigger and the way extreme the situation is.

Your teen might have to see a gynecologist. This healthcare supplier treats the feminine reproductive system. Therapy for amenorrhea might embody:

• Hormone therapy with progesterone

• Hormone therapy with contraception capsules (oral contraceptives) 

• Drugs to deal with thyroid dysfunction

• Surgical procedure for delivery defects or different bodily issues

• Modifications in weight-reduction plan or train

• Therapy of an consuming dysfunction

• Calcium dietary supplements to scale back bone loss (osteoporosis)

Discuss along with your little one’s healthcare supplier concerning the dangers, advantages, and attainable unintended effects of all therapies.

What are attainable problems of amenorrhea in a teen?

Attainable problems embody:

• Thinning bones. If amenorrhea is brought on by low estrogen, this will additionally result in thinning of bones (osteoporosis) over time. Your teen’s healthcare supplier might advise her to take calcium dietary supplements.

• Lack of fertility. If amenorrhea is brought on by lack of ovulation, this implies being pregnant could also be tough or not attainable sooner or later.

What can I do to stop amenorrhea in my teen?

Some preventable causes embody consuming habits and weight reduction or weight achieve. Discuss along with your little one’s healthcare supplier.

When ought to I name my teen’s healthcare supplier?

Name the healthcare supplier in case your little one has:

Key factors about amenorrhea in teenagers

• Amenorrhea is when a woman’s menstrual bleeding (interval) doesn’t happen.

• Main amenorrhea is when the primary menstrual bleeding at puberty doesn’t happen by age 15. Secondary amenorrhea is when regular menstrual bleeding stops occurring for 3 months or extra.

• Amenorrhea has many causes, together with hormone issues, consuming habits and train, or a delivery defect.

• Your teen may have blood checks and a pelvic ultrasound.

• Therapy could also be executed with hormones or different medicines, modifications in weight-reduction plan or train, and calcium dietary supplements.

• A woman with amenorrhea might have thinning bones (osteoporosis) over time and lack of fertility.

Subsequent steps

Ideas that can assist you get probably the most from a go to to your little one’s healthcare supplier:

• Know the explanation for the go to and what you wish to occur.

• Earlier than your go to, write down questions you need answered.

• On the go to, write down the title of a brand new prognosis and any new medicines, therapies, or checks. Additionally write down any new directions your healthcare supplier provides you on your little one.

• Know why a brand new medication or therapy is prescribed and the way it will assist your little one. Additionally know what the unintended effects are.

• Ask in case your little one’s situation might be handled in different methods.

• Know why a check or process is really helpful and what the outcomes may imply.

• Know what to anticipate in case your little one doesn’t take the medication or have the check or process.

• In case your little one has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and goal for that go to.

• Know how one can contact your little one’s healthcare supplier after workplace hours. That is vital in case your little one turns into sick and you’ve got questions or want recommendation.