Patient's question:
Detailed medical history and purpose of consultation: Since her first menstrual period, her cycle has been irregular. Sometimes she has three periods in three months, six months, or two years. The timing is also unpredictable. During her freshman year, her cycle was normal, with three periods per year. However, after that year, her cycle became irregular again after taking cough medicine. The most recent period was in March, lasting for four days.Previous diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes: In her sophomore year, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She underwent treatment for six months, taking birth control pills to induce menstruation. After six months, blood tests and other examinations showed improvement. However, one month later, her menstruation stopped again. During this period, she tried Western medicine, injections, and traditional Chinese medicine, but none of them worked.
Doctor's answer:
Amenorrhea is primarily caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Although the pathogenesis of this type of amenorrhea is similar, the underlying causes are not uniform. Therefore, treatment must be tailored to individual circumstances. For example, actively treating systemic diseases, improving nutrition to increase body fat, exercising to enhance physical fitness, enhancing living environments, and maintaining a relaxed mood are all beneficial. Additionally, artificial cycle therapy using estrogen and progesterone, or treatment with gonadotropins, can also be employed. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can also be used for syndrome differentiation treatment, which is beneficial for improving physical fitness and consolidating therapeutic effects.