Categories Sexual Health

Retention of the menstrual cycle

Retention of the menstrual cycle

Retention of the menstrual cycle

Amenorrhea is the medical term for the absence of menstrual periods, either on a permanent or temporary basis. Menopause can also be divided into primary retention and secondary retention; primary growth is the absence of a menstrual cycle for the girl, even though she has reached the age 15 years or more, and secondary warming, is the absence of menstrual cycle and interruption of three months if the cycle is regular, or for six months if the menstrual cycle is irregular.

Causes of menstrual cycle retention

The reasons for the retention of the first and secondary menstrual cycle are as follows:

Retention of the first menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle occurs in girls between the ages of 9-18 years (average 12 years), and primary menopause occurs when the girl reaches the age of 15 years and did not occur any menstrual cycle, whether signs of puberty or other did not appear. Causes of primary menstrual cramps include:

  • The presence of congenital defects in the genitals and pelvis, such as blockage or cervical stenosis, absence of an opening for the hymen, absence of uterus or vagina, or presence of vaginal barrier.
  • There are problems in the hormones that have a role in the organization of the menstrual cycle, and may be the cause of these problems to the changes in the part responsible for the secretion of these hormones in the brain, or the ineffectiveness of the ovaries, in both cases may be the causes of the problem:
    • Anorexia.
    • The presence of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cystic fibrosis disease.
    • Uterine infections, or post-natal infections.
    • Other congenital defects.
    • Malnutrition.
    • Oncology.
  • Genetic and chromosomal disorders, such as:

Reasons for the retention of the secondary menstrual cycle

The secondary menstrual cycle may be delayed for a variety of reasons, some of which are natural, others may be a side effect of a type of medication, or evidence of a medical problem.

  • PMS may occur due to natural causes, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, access to old menopause (menopause), and the use of contraceptives such as birth control pills.
  • Some medications may cause menstrual cycle retention, such as antipsychotics, cancer chemotherapy, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and allergy medications.
  • Factors associated with lifestyle such as:
    • Decreased body weight, which may lead to abnormal hormonal changes, which impedes the process of ovulation.
    • Sudden weight gain and excess obesity.
    • Excessive activity that needs careful training may cause a menstrual cycle, and excessive activity may result in low body fat, stress, and high energy consumption.
    • Mental stress affects the work of the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls the secretion of hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.
  • Hormonal imbalance may occur for several reasons, including PCOS, thyroid disorder, pituitary tumor, and early menstrual cycle.
  • Having genital problems, such as Asherman’s syndrome, any scars and adhesions in the lining of the uterus, sometimes occurring after caesarean section, or abrasion for the treatment of fibroids in the womb, resulting in a change in the function of the uterus.
  • Discontinuing contraception may lead to delayed menstruation.

Symptoms of menstrual cycle

Symptoms of the menstrual cycle include the following:

  • Symptoms of initial cycle retention: headache, blood pressure disorder, vision problems, acne, unwanted hair growth.
  • Symptoms of secondary cycle retention: nausea, swollen breasts, headaches, vision problems, severe thirst, hyperthyroidism, and blackening of the skin.

Diagnosis of menstrual cycle retention

PMS is diagnosed through clinical and laboratory tests such as:

  • To diagnose the retention of the first menstrual cycle, a clinical examination is performed to ensure that there are no problems in the genitals and examination of the breasts to ensure signs of puberty appear.
  • The menstrual cycle may be a sign of hormonal problems, so it is useful to perform the following laboratory tests:
    • pregnancy test.
    • Check thyroid function to measure thyroid hormone level (TSH).
    • Check the amount of hormone stimulating hormone (FSH) in the blood that can determine whether the ovaries are working properly.
    • Proactin testing; low levels of prolactin may be a sign of a tumor in the pituitary gland.
    • Check the level of male hormones.
    • The hormonal challenge test is performed by giving the patient hormonal medication for between 7-10 days. The results of this test may indicate estrogen deficiency.
  • Imaging tests, including:
    • Check the ultrasound to check for any genital abnormalities.
    • Computed tomography (CT) to confirm the safety of the uterus, ovary, and kidneys.
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to make sure there is no tumor in the pituitary gland.
  • Examination of the vagina and the endoscopic uterus.

Treatment of menstrual cycle retention

The treatment of circulatory retention depends on the causes of the growth and health status of the individual.

  • If the cause of the menstrual cycle is related to lifestyle, it is useful to make some necessary changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, which helps to balance hormones in the body, reduce exposure to stress and stress, and adjust the level of physical activity.
  • If the results show that the level of activated hormone for ovarian follicles (FSH) and LH within normal limits, the retention of the cycle is normal if there is a family history of the delay of the menstrual cycle.
  • Retention of the initial course resulting from genetic and chromosomal disorders, as in the case of genetic disorder resulting in female carrying chromosomes (XY), and if ovaries did not develop naturally, this increases the risk of ovarian cancer, so surgery must be used using the endoscope.
  • The use of oral contraceptives, such as contraceptive pills, or any hormonal therapy, may be helpful in regular menstrual cycle.
  • Use medications that relieve symptoms of PCOS.
  • Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) may help to balance hormone levels and restore menstrual cycle in women with ovarian insufficiency. The side effects of estrogen replacement with the doctor should be discussed to make the right decision, as they may increase the risk of developing uterine cancer.
  • Removal of uterine scarring may be helpful in restoring menstrual cycle.
  • Removal of pituitary tumor using drugs, surgery or radiation therapy.