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Amenorrhea is a condition where women do not have menstrual
cycles or do not menstruate normally. Amenorrhea is called “primary”
when referring to a woman under the age of 16 who has not started to
menstruate. It is called “secondary” when a woman has started
menstruating but experiences an abnormal cessation of menstruation.
Amenorrhea typically occurs when a woman does not have adequate
levels of female reproductive hormones to stimulate menstruation.
Frequently, amenorrhea is associated with malnutrition, anorexia
nervosa, or excessive exercise. It is also commonly associated with
stress. Amenorrhea can cause serious disorders of the ovaries, the
hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and other related biochemical
functions. When a woman first suspects she may have amenorrhea, a
physician should be consulted. If not caught soon, amenorrhea may
bring on early bone loss and cause a greater risk of developing
osteoporosis.
Nutritional supplements that may help
treat amenorrhea
Micronized progesterone taken
orally 200 to 300 mg per day has been tested in a double-blind trial
as treatment for amenorrhea. In studies, progesterone has
successfully stimulated regular menstrual bleeding in women
experiencing secondary amenorrhea. This natural hormone should be
taken only under the supervision of a qualified medical
professional.
Acety-L-carnitine
may have positive effects on brain chemicals in females that control
the reproductive hormones responsible for menstruation. In one
trial, amenorrheic participants were given 2 grams of
acety-L-carnitine daily. Results of the trial showed that most
participants who had low to normal blood levels of female hormones
prior to the trail had increased levels of female hormones following
the study. Half of the women began to menstruate again within three
to six months following the trial.
Herbs that may be
useful for treating amenorrhea
Blue cohosh is
traditionally taken in connection with irregular menstruation. It is
believed to be an emmenagogue, an agent that stimulates menstrual
blood flow, and a uterine tonic. However, there are no clinical
trials that have researched cohosh’s use as a treatment for
menstruation.
Some other herbal emmenagogues include
motherwort, rue, partridge berry, and yarrow. These herbs
are traditionally used to help absent or diminished menses; however,
none of these herbs have been through clinical trials to confirm
their effectiveness as a treatment for amenorrhea. Emmenagogues
should not be taken if you are pregnant, as they could lead to a
spontaneous abortion.
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