PCOS

Check out http://irregularmenses.blogspot.com/ for complete information gathered from the internet sources about PCOS.

Amenorrhea

Healthscout.com

Definition of Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the name given to the condition when a woman fails to have menstrual periods. The condition is known as "primary amenorrhea" when the woman has never menstruated; and "secondary amenorrhea" if her periods cease after having been regular for months or years.

Description of Amenorrhea

If you are reaching the age of 16 years without ever having menstruated, the chances are that you are developing normally, but a little later than most girls. If you are very athletic or quite thin, menarche could be delayed.

However, because there is a small possibility that you have a hormonal abnormality, consult a physician, especially if other sexual changes also have been delayed - if your breasts and pubic hair have not yet begun to grow, for example.

If you have been menstruating for years and suddenly miss periods for a few months, you have secondary amenorrhea. Many women of reproductive age experience this at some point in their lives. There are several possible explanations for this.

You might be pregnant, perhaps you lost a lot of weight rather quickly or have been exercising a lot, or you may have been under stress. Very obese women sometimes fail to menstruate. You also could be taking a medication that suppresses menses as a side effect.

If you just quit taking oral contraceptives, you may not have a period for several months. In addition, breastfeeding can delay menstruation, and if you are reaching the age of menopause, it would be normal to begin skipping periods.

Secondary amenorrhea due to the above causes is quite common. More serious problems, such as tumors or disorders of the pituitary gland, also can cause amenorrhea, but they are rare.

Failure to resume menstruation after childbirth, particularly if lactation does not take place, may mean that the pituitary gland failed either partly or completely at the time of delivery, a condition called postpartum pituitary necrosis.

If you have been menstruating regularly and your period is more than two weeks late, you may want to see a physician to find out if you are pregnant. However, if you are sure that you are not pregnant and you have no other symptoms, there is generally no harm in waiting several months before consulting a physician. Keep in mind that even if you are not menstruating, you could still become pregnant if you do not take precautions.

Causes and Risk Factors of Amenorrhea

The most common cause of amenorrhea is pregnancy, and this is always excluded before other possible causes are considered.

Female ballet dancers, female joggers and women involved in vigorous sports frequently find they skip menstrual periods or stop menstruating altogether. This is more likely to happen if you are young, especially if your cycle is generally irregular. In fact, teenagers who train heavily are often in their late teens before they actually have their first menstrual period.

Medical experts believe that several factors are involved, including stress, and perhaps the ratio (proportion) of fat cells in your body to other cells. Going on a crash diet and losing a large amount of weight very rapidly also can interfere with menstruation. In both cases, you stop menstruating because your ovaries do not produce enough estrogen in the cyclic manner that causes the uterus lining to thicken and then shed.

If you reduce your exercise schedule or gain weight, you probably will begin to menstruate again. If that does not work, or if you do not want to exercise less or gain weight, your physician may suggest that you take estrogen in low doses.

Some medications such as phenothiazines (used for psychiatric disorders) and some narcotics can cause amenorrhea. So can anorexia nervosa, Cushing’s disease and other conditions related to pituitary insufficiency or thyroid problems. A thorough medical history can usually reveal the cause of amenorrhea in about 85 percent of cases .

Treatment of Amenorrhea

Your physician may prescribe various types of hormones to see whether your ovaries are functioning normally.

Provided no underlying disorder is causing the amenorrhea, treatment is generally unnecessary. However, because women who are not menstruating seem susceptible to osteoporosis, your physician may suggest that you take estrogen and a calcium supplement.

If an underlying disorder is to blame for either primary or secondary amenorrhea, the treatment will depend on the nature of the disorder.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Amenorrhea

Do any tests need to be done for diagnosis and to determine the cause?

What is the cause?

What treatment do you recommend?

Will you be prescribing any medication?

What are the side effects?

What's likely to happen if no treatment is undertaken?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

emedicinehealth.com

Amenorrhea Overview

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding and may be primary or secondary.

• Primary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding and secondary sexual characteristics (for example, breast development and pubic hair) in a girl by age 14 years or the absence of menstrual bleeding with normal development of secondary sexual characteristics in a girl by age 16 years.


• Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding in a woman who had been menstruating but later stops menstruating for 3 or more months in the absence of pregnancy, lactation (the ability to breastfeed), cycle suppression withsystemic hormonal contraceptive (birth control) pills, or menopause.

For a woman to have regular menstrual cycles, her hypothalamus, pituitary gland (seeAnatomy of the Endocrine System), ovaries, and uterus should all be functioning normally. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH and LH cause the ovaries to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for the cyclical changes in the endometrium (uterine lining), including menstruation. In addition, a woman’s genital tract should be free of any abnormalities to allow the passage of menstrual blood.

Amenorrhea Causes

Amenorrhea can result because of an abnormality in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract, or functional causes.

Hypothalamic causes

• Craniopharyngioma (a brain tumor near the pituitary gland)


• Teratoma (a tumor made up of a mixture of tissues)


• Sarcoidosis (a chronic disease of unknown cause characterized by the formation of nodules in different parts of the body)


• Kallmann syndrome (deficiency of gonadotropins, which are hormones capable of promoting growth and function of reproductive organs)


• Nutritional deficiency


• Low body weight

Pituitary causes

• Prolactinemia (high blood levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates secretion of milk from the breasts during breastfeeding) - Possibly caused by prolactinoma (a tumor of the pituitary gland secreting the hormone prolactin)


• Other pituitary tumors (for example, Cushing syndrome, acromegaly, or thyroid-stimulating hormone)


• Postpartum pituitary necrosis (death of pituitary cells after a woman delivers a baby)


• Autoimmune hypophysitis (cells of the pituitary gland destroyed by the body’s own defense system)


• Pituitary radiation


• Sarcoidosis

Ovarian causes

• Anovulation (lack of the release of an egg)


• Hyperandrogenemia (high blood levels of male hormones)


• Polycystic ovary syndrome (hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age)


• Premature ovarian failure


• Turner syndrome (a genetic disorder characterized by underdeveloped ovaries, absence of menstrual onset, and short stature)


• Pure gonadal dysgenesis (defective development of the ovary)


• Autoimmune oophoritis (cells of the ovaries destroyed by the body’s own defense system)


• Fragile X premutation


• Radiation or chemotherapy


• Galactosemia (an inherited disorder in which galactose, a type of sugar, accumulates in the blood)


• Anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract


• Intrauterine adhesions (the opposing surfaces of the uterine cavity stick together)


• Imperforate hymen (a hymen in which there is no opening, the membranecompletely closes off the vagina)


• Transverse vaginal septum (a dividing wall or membrane in the vagina)


• Aplasia (absence of an organ or tissue) of the vagina, the cervix, or the uterus

Functional causes

• Anorexia/bulimia


• Chronic diseases (for example, tuberculosis)


• Excessive weight gain or weight loss


• Malnutrition


• Depression or other psychiatric disorders


• Recreational drug abuse


• Psychotropic drug use (drugs prescribed to stabilize or improve mood, mental status, or behavior)


• Excessive stress


• Excessive exercise


• Cycle suppression with systemic hormonal contraceptive (birth control) pills

Amenorrhea Symptoms

Amenorrhea is a symptom of an underlying disorder. Additional symptoms may be present depending on the associated condition.

• Galactorrhea (breasts produce milk in a woman who is not pregnant or breastfeeding), headache, or reducedperipheral vision could be a sign of anintracranial tumor.


• Increased hair growth in a male pattern (hirsutism) may be caused by excessandrogen (a hormone that encourages development of male sex characteristics).


• Vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, or disordered sleep may be a sign of ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure.


• Noticeable weight gain or weight loss may be present.


• Excessive anxiety may be present in women with associated psychiatric abnormalities.

When to Seek Medical Care

Consult a health care provider if a girl is 14 years old and her secondary sexual characteristics (for example, breast development and pubic hair) have not started to develop or a girl is 16 years old and has not had her first menstrual period.

For women who have already begun menstruating, they should see a health care provider if they have missed 3 consecutive menstrual periods.

Exams and Tests

A doctor may perform the following tests to determine the cause of the amenorrhea:

• Blood tests may be performed to determine the levels of hormones secreted by the pituitary gland (FSH, LH, TSH, and prolactin) and the ovaries (estrogen).


• Ultrasonography of the pelvis may be performed to assess the abnormalities of the genital tract or to look for polycystic ovaries.


• CT scan or MRI of the head may be performed to exclude pituitary and hypothalamic causes of amenorrhea.

If the above tests are inconclusive, additional tests may be performed.

• Thyroid function tests


• Determination of prolactin levels


• Hysterosalpingogram (x-ray test) or saline infusion sonography (SIS), both of which examine the uterus


• Hysteroscopy (visual inspection of the uterine cavity)

Amenorrhea Treatment

Self-Care at Home

• In some women, nutritional deficiencies induced by dieting can cause amenorrhea. Such women should eat a properly balanced diet.


• In some women, excessive body weight could be the cause of amenorrhea. These women should restrict the amount of fat in their diet, and they should exercise moderately to maintain an ideal body weight.


• More than 8 hours of vigorous exercise a week may cause amenorrhea. A moderate exercise program may restore normal menstruation.


• If amenorrhea is caused by emotional stress, finding ways to deal with stress and conflicts may help.


• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking is also helpful.

Medical Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of amenorrhea. Once the cause is determined, treatment is directed at correcting the underlying disease, which should restore menstruation. In case of anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract, surgery may be indicated.

Dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine (Parlodel) or pergolide (Permax), are effective in treating hyperprolactinemia. In most women, treatment with dopamine agonists restores normal ovarian endocrine function and ovulation.

Hormone replacement therapy, consisting of an estrogen and a progestin, is needed for women in whom estrogen deficiency remains because ovarian function cannot be restored. It is also required to maintain bone density in women whose underlying disease cannot be treated.

In some cases, oral contraceptives may be prescribed to restore the menstrual cycle and to provide estrogen replacement to women with amenorrhea who do not wish to become pregnant. Before administering oral contraceptives, withdrawal bleeding is induced with an injection of progesterone or oral administration of 5-10 mg ofmedroxyprogesterone (Provera) for 10 days.

Surgery

• Some pituitary and hypothalamic tumors may require surgery and, in some cases,radiation therapy.


• Women with intrauterine adhesions require dissolution of the intrauterine adhesions.


• Surgical procedures required for other genital tract abnormalities depend on the specific clinical situation.

Follow-up

Annual follow-up is required for women with amenorrhea caused by ovarian insufficiency. The follow-up is performed to monitor ovarian hormone replacement and to detect the development of associated conditions.

Prevention

By maintaining a normal weight, girls can prevent primary amenorrhea caused by excessive weight loss or weight gain.

Outlook

In most cases, amenorrhea is not a life-threatening condition. In most women, medications, lifestyle change, or surgery can correct amenorrhea.

Amenorrhea has been associated with reduced bone density and increased fracture rates.

For More Information

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
409 12th St, SW
PO Box 96920
Washington, DC 20090-6920
(202) 638-5577

American Society for Reproductive Medicine
1209 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35216-2809
(205) 978-5000

Web Links

MedlinePlus, Amenorrhea - primary

MedlinePlus, Menstruation - absent

Synonyms and Keywords

amenorrhea, absence of menstrual bleeding, absent menstruation, lack of menstruation, missed period, absent period, absent menses, menstrual dysfunction, primary amenorrhea, secondary amenorrhea, menstrual cycle,menarche, menstrual bleeding, delayed puberty, anatomical defects of the genital tract, abnormalities of the genital tract, ovarian disorders, anovulation, pituitary disorders, hypothalamic disorders, intrauterine adhesions, pituitary tumor, hypothalamic tumor, intracranial tumor, hyperandrogenemia, premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, prolactinemia, prolactinoma

Authors and Editors

Author: Lawrence M Nelson, MD, MBA, Head of Gynecologic Endocrinology Unit, Investigator, Section of Women's Health Research, Developmental Endocrinology Branch,

Editors: Suzanne R Trupin, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign; Mary L Windle, Pharm D, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc; Lee P Shulman, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Head, Section of Reproductive Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.

Overproductive Ovaries

Amenorrhoea ... absence of menses

Sour Sop (Guyabano) vs Cancer

Guyabano - 10,000X stronger than chemo THE SOUR SOP (Guyabano) The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo ... Why are we not aware of this? Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale. So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as a prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad afterall. Its completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space plant one in your garden. The other parts of the tree are also useful.

The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop.

shfoong: guyabano.

How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar
drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it ' s the incredible story behind the Graviola tree.

The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to....

· Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss

· Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections

· Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment

· Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America ' s largest drug manufacturers, the fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970 ' s! What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing... Extracts from the tree were shown to:

· Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.

· The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times strongerin slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!

· What ' s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells. It does not harm healthy cells!

The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched--so why haven ' t you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is as half as promising as it appears to be--why doesn ' t every single oncologist at every major hospital insist on using it on all his or her patients?

The spine-chilling answer illustrates just how easily our health--and for many, our very lives(!)--are controlled by money and power.

Graviola--the plant that worked too well

One of America ' s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree--including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds--have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree ' s anti-cancerous properties--and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.

But that ' s where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree--it ' s completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There ' s no way to make serious profits from it. It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree ' s most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they ' d be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits--or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn ' t let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that ' s dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle unleashed

When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola, they began tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree.. Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola--and its shocking cover-up--came in fast and furious......

.....The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results showed that Graviola ' s "leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells." Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public...

....Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials--the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment ' s value--were ever initiated...

.......A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at "10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin..."

....The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike chemotherapy, w! hich indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

.....A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers...

Seven years of silence broken--it ' s finally here!

A limited supply of Graviola extract, grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil , is finally available in America .

The full Graviola story--including where you can get it and how to use it--is included in Beyond Chemotherapy: New Cancer Killers, Safe as Mother ' s Milk, a Health Sciences Institute FREE special bonus report on natural substances that will effectively revolutionize the fight against cancer.. This crucial report (along withfive more FREE reports) is yours ABSOLUTELY FREE with a new membership to the Health Sciences Institute. It ' s just one example of how absolutely vital each report from the Institute can be to your life and those of your loved ones.

From breakthrough cancer and heart research and revolutionary Amazon Rainforest herbology to world-leading anti-aging research and nutritional medicine, every monthly Health Sciences Institute Member ' s Alert puts in your hands today cures the rest of America --including your own doctor(!)--is likely to find out only ten years from now.

You need the Health Sciences Institute in your life because you and your loved ones deserve to know--and you deserve to know it NOW!!