Primary and Secondary Amenorrhea

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. However, the results of this trial are not sufficient to substantiate the use of acetyl-l-carnitine as a treatment for amennorrhea.

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 human clinical trials to substaniate cohosh's use for irregular 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 for amenorrhea. Emmenagogues should not be taken if you are pregnant, as they could lead to a spontaneous abortion.