It's been a long time without menstruation (amenorrhea), is it dangerous for health?

Menstruation or menstruation is an important thing for a woman. Normal menstruation indicates a woman is ready to reproduce and indicates that your reproductive system is healthy and functioning properly. Amenorrhea, which is the absence of menstruation for some time, is a menstrual disorder that can also be dangerous when accompanied by other symptoms. What are the risks of amenorrhea for women's health? Find out the complete information below.

What is amenorrhea?

Amenorrhea is the condition of having no or no menstruation for at least three consecutive months. Amenorrhea can be divided into two, namely primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea.

Primary amenorrhea occurs when a woman is over 18 years of age but has never had a period or has not had her period at all. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman who has had her first menstrual period suddenly has no menstruation for more than three consecutive months (but is not pregnant).

What are the dangers if you haven't had your period for a long time?

There are several danger signs of amenorrhea and other disorders that usually accompany a woman who has not had her period for at least three months. This is because in most cases, amenorrhea is a sign or symptom of another disease, not a disease in itself. So the thing to worry about is that there are other diseases that you secretly have.

Here are some of the possible dangers or causes of disease if a woman has not had her period for a long time.

1. Pituitary tumor

Tumors in the pituitary (in the brain) generally show symptoms of amenorrhea accompanied by complaints of headaches and visual disturbances. However, these tumors also sometimes show symptoms of irregular menstruation. If you suspect this condition, see a doctor immediately.

2. Amenorrhea in anorexia nervosa

In people with anorexia nervosa, amenorrhea is an early symptom before the patient becomes thin, has no appetite, and has severe nutritional disorders without lethargy or looks very weak. After amenorrhea, new sufferers experience a decrease in basal metabolic rate, epigastric pain, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), lower than normal body temperature and bradycardia or slowed heart rate.

Patients will also look very thin with symptoms of growing fine hairs. When it is severe enough, it will experience atrophy or wasting of the reproductive organs so that it will be difficult for sufferers to have children (infertile).

Therefore, if you or someone closest to you is suspected of having anorexia and has not had your period for months, immediately check with your doctor to get the best treatment.

3. Discharge such as milk from the breast

This amenorrhea is called galactorrhea amenorrhea, which is amenorrhea which is accompanied by a milky discharge from the breast. This is caused by hormonal gland disorders.

Patients usually become a little overweight which will then result in atrophy or wasting of the reproductive organs. This atrophy will later make you infertile.

The cause of amenorrhea galactorrhea is unclear. Presumably due to a pituitary tumor and long-term consumption of antihypertensive drugs or sedatives.

4. Amenorrhea after childbirth

After giving birth, women generally do not have menstruation. However, be careful if there is heavy bleeding during breastfeeding and is accompanied by shock or lack of blood in the blood vessels. This is often referred to as Sheehan's syndrome.

This syndrome is caused by necrosis, which is damage to tissue in the organs that form reproductive hormones. Apart from amenorrhea, milk production can be hampered, accompanied by reduction of reproductive organs and decreased libido. This can make it difficult for women to get pregnant again.

If you experience amenorrhea and it is accompanied by the symptoms that have been mentioned, then you should immediately see a doctor before it continues.