INTRODUCTION
Amenorrhoea is the absence of menstrual bleeding. It is a normal feature in prepubertal, pregnant and postmenopausal women. Pregnancy is the first to be considered in females with amenorrhoea in reproductive age. In the absence of pregnancy, the challenge is to determine the exact cause of amenorrhoea.
Primary amenorrhoea is difficult to define as there is a great variation in the time of onset of menstruation. However, it coincides well with the development of puberty or secondary sexual characteristics. Undeveloped secondary sexual characteristics at a certain age indicates problem. Therefore, the definition of primary amenorrhoea needs to include the development of secondary sexual characteristics as well. Primary amenorrhoea occurs when there is
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The vaginal length, presence or absence of the uterus and its size as well as the condition of the ovaries can be elicited by performing pelvic examination. Pelvic examination may be inappropriate in young girl who is not sexually active. Per rectal examination gives similar information that is given by pelvic examination.
Laboratory evaluation
The levels of FSH and LH are important in determining the ovarian-axis problems. If history and physical examination findings are suggestive of hyperandrogenism, androgen testings which include testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS), androstenedione, and 17-OH progesterone to determine the organ of cause (e.g.: adrenal gland or ovary) are helpful. History and examination suggestive of hyperprolactinaemia or thyroid disorders require evaluation of the levels of prolactin and thyroid function.
When the prolactin level is elevated, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head is required. This imaging helps in visualising any abnormality in the hypothalamus or pituitary
Therefore, the scope of information provided is limited to essential information directly related the purpose providing women facts about endometriosis. The facts are brief enough to what the health consumer can reasonably learn in the time allowed. The headings are clearly stated which makes the information provided on this pamphlet easy to follow and promotes learning and interaction among women. This information can aid women to understand about their diagnosis and empower them to make an informed decision. 1,2,2
The decrease in progesterone and oestrogen means the endometrium will shed its lining. This is a period.
Hypothetically if Inger had Amenorrhea or Oligomenorrhea, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (10) could have prevented or delayed the onset of OP. Links have been found to OP in young women, missing multiple menstrual cycles lowers the oestrogen levels and diminishes progesterone levels; a deficiency in these hormones, as well as others, prevents correct bone growth.
The Female Athlete Triad is referred to as the combination of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. Amenorrhea is the absence of three or more consecutive menstrual cycles. Primary amenorrhea (delayed menarche) is defined as no menses prior to the age of sixteen, and secondary amenorrhea is the absence of at least three to six consecutive menstrual cycles in females who have begun menstruating. Causes of amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea include hypothalamic influences; pituitary abnormalities; ovarian disorders; pregnancy; adrenal disorders; thyroid disorders; and use of medications such as anabolic steroids. Exercise-induced amenorrhea is considered to be a form of hypothalamic amenorrhea (Rust, D. M.). Researchers speculate that
In this research paper I will attempt to discuss the causes, symptoms and signs of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated. As someone who is suffering from this disease, I found my research to be very informative and educational, raising awareness for my own understanding, and it is my intention to ensure that this same awareness is translated in my research paper.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive aged women, with a prevalence of 16.6-18% according to the 2003 Rotterdam criteria (1-3). Though PCOS is extremely common, up to 70% of women with the syndrome are undiagnosed (3). The PCOS diagnosis is one of ovarian dysfunction and hyperandrogenism, and as such has important implications for reproductive health (see Table 1; NIH, 2012). However, in addition to these reproductive criteria – which tend to manifest as hirsutism, infertility, and pregnancy complications – PCOS is marked by
Prolonged amenorrhea (5 months or longer without a menstrual period) is seen in some athletic groups. It may be associated with eating problems and dieting behavior, or simply with high levels of physical activity. (Brooks-Gunn, et al.)
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the membrane which lines the abdominal cavity. The uterine cavity is lined with endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones. Endometrial-like cells in areas outside the uterus (endometriosis) are influenced by hormonal changes and respond in a way that is similar to the cells found inside the uterus. Symptoms often worsen with the menstrual cycle.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects an estimated 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age and it is a leading cause of infertility. It is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women and as many as 30 percent of women have some characteristics of the syndrome.
The ovary is a critical organ of the female reproductive and endocrine system. When preforming in an optimal manner, the ovary functions as a gonad, by producing mature gametes and by synthesizing and excreting hormones within a set point. It is essential for sexual maturation and reproduction. When it deviates away from this normal physiology, many serious heath problems can emerge. A principal example of ovarian abnormal physiology is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most prominent endocrinopathies in the world, affecting anywhere between 5-10% of the female population (Dunaif, 1995). Although this disease affects so many women, not much is known about the exact origin of it and all of the shortcomings
He also had testing done to evaluate gynecomastia, and these levels were also excellent showing an estradiol of less than 1.4. An FSH of 3.8, and LH of 1.1. A β-hCG quantitative of less than 1. A total testosterone of 4.3, with a free testosterone of 12.33 pc/mL. A TSH of 1.1. He feels that the breast buds have started to decrease considerably in size.
Examinations like blood sugar estimation, thyroid hormone tests, ultrasound of the stomach and pelvis are done. At times, serum androgens, luteinising hormone and other hormone estimates might be ordered.
Case findings of women with polycystic ovary syndrome were first documented in 1935 by American gynecologists Irving F. Stein, Sr., and Michael L. Leventhal (Hoyt and Schmidt 156). For many years, polycystic ovary syndrome was called the “Stein-Leventhal syndrome”. Once insulin resistance was added to the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome the name of the syndrome then changed to “Syndrome X” (Bhathena 106).
The term menarche refers to the first menstruation period of a young girl. There are numerous factors that may cause a girl to begin her period early. Those factors are: body fat, BMI, and nutritional status. Earlier menarche is brought on by obesity whereas amenorrhea is common in women with a low BMI. Other factors that lead to early menstruation include: stressful family circumstances, increased family conflict, divorce, longer durations of the absence of a father in the home or the presence of a male who is not the father. Sexual abuse can also influence early menarche.
It is at puberty that the sexual nature of girls becomes feminine, that is, passive or receptive. Puberty for girls is marked by a fresh wave of repression in which it is precisely clitoral sexuality that is affected, thus overtaking the heretofore-active nature of a little girl's sexuality, and replacing it with a passive non-clitoral leading sexual zone focused on the vaginal orifice. The clitoris retains a role in sexual excitement but its task is in transmitting the excitation to the adjacent female sexual parts and is not the primary sexual zone as experienced in boys.