Patient's question:
Hello expert! My menstrual cycle was always quite regular before, but since last year, it has become 2-3 months apart. Since I have already given birth, I didn't take it seriously at first. However, this year, my period just doesn't come anymore, and I'm very worried now. Could you please tell me: What are the common factors that can cause amenorrhea?Doctor's answer:
Menstruation is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary-gonadal axis. Individuals over 16 years old who have developed secondary sexual characteristics but have not experienced menstruation, or those under 14 years old who have not developed secondary sexual characteristics, are referred to as having primary amenorrhea. Those who have experienced menstruation but have stopped for 6 months or 3 cycles are referred to as having secondary amenorrhea. The causes of amenorrhea can be functional or organic. Amenorrhea caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis is functional amenorrhea. Organic factors include reproductive organ underdevelopment, tumors, mental trauma, chronic wasting diseases such as tuberculosis, etc. Based on anatomical locations, amenorrhea is classified as uterine amenorrhea, ovarian amenorrhea, or pituitary and hypothalamic amenorrhea.