Amenorrhea that is absent, suppressed or delayed menses.
Its possible causes, common Signs & Symptoms, and how Holistic Remedies can help.
Menstruation is an important activity of women’s reproductive function.
Having a regular menstrual cycle is essential to have a healthy uterus and a sign that the woman’s reproductive system is working normally.
A uterus that is not stimulated to shed the endometrium, or sheds the endometrium inadequately, may become atrophied or shrunk.
This means the muscles lose their tone and strength.
If the mucosa lining is not stimulated to secrete mucus then the uterus is not lubricated and may become “dry” or weak and would not be the best environment to house an embryo.
The term “Amenorrhea” literally means an absence of menstrual bleeding: often defined as missing one or more menstrual periods.
There are two types:
- Primary amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation in someone who has not had a period by age 15.
- Secondary amenorrhea refers to the absence of three or more periods in a row by someone who has had normal periods in the past.
If you don’t have periods for 3-6 months – you must consult a doctor.
Most Common condition associated with amenorrhea:
- Headaches and vision problems
- Increased facial hair and general hair loss
- Vaginal dryness
- Heat flashes or night sweats
- Disturbed sleep
- Marked weight gain or weight loss
- Anxiety
- Decreased sex drive
- Acne, pimples
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Heavy breathing
- Laziness, tiredness or always sleepy
- Bleeding from the nose or the anus
- Milky fluid, or discharge, from breasts.
- Changes in breast structure.
- Heart palpitation
- Legs feel heavy
Further Complications if left untreated
- Infertility and problems with pregnancy.
- Miscarriage risk or problems if pregnant.
- Psychological stress.
- Osteoporosis – weakening of bones and cardiovascular diseases.
- Constant lower back or pelvic region pains.
Possible Causes of absent menses or amenorrhea
- Polycystic ovaries or PCOD / PCOS
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Chromosomal or genetic problems
- Premature ovarian insufficiency or early menopause
- An injury to the reproductive organs, such as cervical stenosis
- Lack of reproductive organs, if the female system didn’t develop fully.
- A membrane or wall may be present in the vagina that may block the outflow of blood from the uterus and cervix.
- Conditions such as diabetes or celiac disease
- Nutritional deficiency e.g. Iron deficiency anaemia
- Obesity or being underweight
- Having an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia.
- Excessive exercise or rigorous training.
- Mental stress, severe emotional turmoil – Fear, anger, frustration, trauma, bereavement, grief or fight etc
- Psychotic disorders – mania, delirium, hysteria
- Disappointment in love, relationship
- Use of certain medications
- Drug addiction or intoxication
- Exposure to cold water, chilli weather
Hormonal imbalance such as
- Elevated levels of follicle-stimulating hormone
- When hypothalamus, a gland in the brain slows or stops releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone – the hormone that starts the menstrual cycle.
- Thyroid malfunction whether an overactive or underactive thyroid.
- Excess levels of prolactin – a hormone that naturally rises during pregnancy to stimulate milk production.
- A non-cancerous, benign tumour in the pituitary gland.
- Disorder of the adrenal or the ovarian glands.
Natural causes of absent periods, such as during:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Menopause
- Use of Contraceptives
Activities and lifestyle changes to induce absent menses.
- Reduce workload or other stressors, if possible
- Regular check your weight to control obesity.
- Spend time with friends and family
- Engage in an enjoyable hobby
- Using meditation or mindfulness techniques such as yoga and deep breathing
Reduce exercise if you overdo.
Missing periods may occur due to low energy availability.
This can occur if you aren’t taking in enough energy relative to the energy you’re burning through exercise.
- Take steam or sitz bath in the morning and in the evening; sit in a tub of hot water for 10-15 minutes. A warm bath may help relax tight muscles and relieve emotional stress that can help to bring on your period. You may add relaxing essential oils to a bath.
- Try using a warm compress such as a hot water bottle by applying it to the abdomen as heat may help increase blood flow thus gently accelerating the menstrual cycle.
- Sex and orgasm could also help to bring on a period. The hormones produced during sexual activity and uterine contractions during orgasm may help to dilate the cervix and help the uterus begin to shed its lining. Regular sex with your legitimate partner can also reduce the effects of stress and help to promote a healthy hormonal balance.
Lower pelvic Fertility Massage
- It aids the body in regulating menstrual cycles:
- Promotes hormonal balance
- Helps to reduce stress and stress hormones
- Improves communication within the endocrine system
- Increases circulation to the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes
- Promotes the movement of fluids
- Helps the body to rid itself of old stagnant blood and tissues
Herbal Supplements and Home Remedies to support regular menstrual cycle.
Make sure to avoid any ingredient you are allergic to – discussed in this article!
Top foods that may help make your period come faster:
Pineapples – a rich source of bromelain, an enzyme believed to affect oestrogen and other hormones.
Eat dates to induce periods before the due date.
Sesame seeds two times daily, a week before your periods until your periods arrive.
Parsley leaves tea may help to stimulate uterine contractions.
To make parsley tea, simply pour a cup of boiling water over a couple tablespoons of fresh parsley and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes before drinking.
Avoid parsley if you are pregnant, nursing, or have kidney problems.
Ginger is believed to cause uterine contractions, that stimulates menstrual flow resulting in promotion of menstruation.
In delayed periods, a combination of parsley and ginger tea is recommended Or take one tablespoon of ginger juice mixed with two to three tablespoons of jaggery.
Turmeric is supposed to work by affecting oestrogen and progesterone levels.
Boil a spoon of turmeric in a glass of water or milk and consume it twice a day probably 10 days before your expected date.
Agnus Castus is for amenorrhea due to hormonal imbalance.
This herb has been found to help normalize ovulation, improve a short luteal phase, support healthy hormone levels, reduce prolactin levels and reduce Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Black cohosh is another herbal supplement said to help tone the uterus and promote the shedding of the uterine lining.
This herb may work by raising levels of oestrogen, L H and F S H.
Dong Quai known as female ginseng been used for centuries to relieve symptoms of menopause and menstruation.
Motherwort is very effective at reducing uterine muscle spasm and cramping and improving uterine tone.
White Peony helps increase blood circulation to the reproductive organs, may provide hormone balancing support, aides in pain reduction and relaxation.
Good cholesterol is necessary for hormone production. Eat a diet that includes animal products such as raw milk from grass-fed cows or goats, butter, yogurt and kefir, free-range or pastured eggs.
Also, Consume more coconut and olive oils, nuts and seeds, wild-caught fish, probiotics, bone broth, bananas, peaches, pomegranate, sugarcane juice, carrots, celery, apple cider vinegar, Papaya, Curd, Rice, Avocadoes, Spinach and Jaggery and fermented vegetables.
Pulses, Gram lentils – sprouted grams and green grams
Carom, fenugreek, cumin, fennel and coriander seeds
Milk with cinnamon at bedtime
Supplements to support irregular menses:
- B Vitamins and Vitamin D is essential to help balance hormones.
- Vitamin C. It’s thought that vitamin C can elevate your oestrogen levels and lower progesterone levels. This causes the uterus to contract and the lining of the uterus to break down, leading to the onset of menstruation.
- Zinc, – this mineral helps regulate your stress response. It also is an anti-inflammatory and its deficiency can cause period problems. It can also help with period pains!
- Essential fatty acids specially omega 3 are important for hormone production.
Top Essential oils for Irregular periods.
Aromatherapy is the use of plants extracts for healing. Always dilute in a base oil like olive oil etc. and apply externally!
- Clary sage essential oil helps regulate menstrual cycle and balance your hormones.
- Lavender – massaging lavender oil onto your abdomen can help to relieve menstrual cramps and also help to balance your mood during this time.
- Geranium – A sweet, harmonizing oil, has been used since ancient times for regulating menses
The following oils are particularly useful for scanty or light periods.
- Nutmeg
- Origanum
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
Homeopathic approach for absent menses.
Homeopathy is one of the safest holistic system of medicines – that offers a unique, personalised treatment and has the potential to reverse a medical disorder.
Consult a qualified homeopath for a proper assessment and take tailor-made remedies as per your causative factors, modalities and peculiar signs and symptoms etc.
Here are Top 10 suggested homeopathic remedies for missing periods.
- Pulsatilla
- Apis Mellifica
- Calcarea Carb
- Calcarean phos
- Senecio
- Gossypium
- Silicea
- Lachases
- Sulphur
- Thyroidinum
For your particular health problem(s), or to change your medications it is strongly suggested to avoid self-medication and consult your GP / health provider or Mind & Body Holistic Health Clinic.
You may also book your one-to-one consultation with one of our practitioners for your tailor-made remedies as per your causative factors, peculiar signs & symptoms etc.
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