For women to be healthy, it is very important for periods to come at the right time and every month. Periods should start coming in girls at the age of 10-12 years. Period cycles should go regularly every month after periods start coming. In the beginning, there may be a difference in the day of the period, the flow and the pain. But stopping periods or not starting periods till 14-15 years is not right at all. If periods do not come till the age of 14-15 years or if periods suddenly stop in between, then it is called absent periods or amenorrhea. What happens, what could be the reasons for this, let us know about this from the experts. This information is given to us by DrNeema Sharma, Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj.

What is absent period or amenorrhea?

Absent periods or amenorrhea is the condition when a woman suddenly stops having periods in a month. This means you were getting normal periods every month, but suddenly periods stopped coming. The woman is neither pregnant nor close to menopause, yet if this is happening then it is called absent periods.

Understanding absent Periods or Amenorrhea

It is of two types. If a woman has reached the age of menstruation, that is, the woman has reached the age of 14-16 years but still has not started getting periods, then it is called primary amenorrhea. There can be many reasons for primary amenorrhea. This can happen due to non-formation of the woman's uterus, any problem in the vagina, or chromosomal problems such as Turner syndrome. In Turner syndrome, the ovaries do not produce hormones, due to which periods do not come. At the same time, in some conditions, hormones are not released from the brain. Because of this periods do not come. This is called hypothalamic amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea can occur even if puberty is delayed.

On the other hand, if periods suddenly stop coming and going normal, then it is called secondary amenorrhea. This condition can be due to lifestyle changes, genetic reasons, abortion, hormonal changes, improper diet, and lack of any essential nutrition in the body, stress or many other reasons.

Treatment of amenorrhea

If your periods have stopped suddenly, don't ignore it. You see the doctor immediately. During this, the doctor can get some tests done. Along with this, you can also be given hormonal pills to balance the hormone cycle. The treatment of primary and secondary amenorrhea depends on what is causing it. If a girl has not had periods by the age of 14 but has developed pubic hair and breast development, then she should wait until the age of 16 to have periods. But if no symptoms are seen, then it is considered prime amenorrhea.

Complications from amenorrhea

It is necessary to get it treated at the right time; otherwise, it can cause many problems. Due to this, there can be a problem of infertility. At the same time, due to the decrease in the level of estrogen, problems related to heart disease and osteoporosis can also occur. So pay attention to it immediately.

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