Infertility can be caused by amenorrhea, a condition where there is an absence of the menstrual period. Amenorrhea is usually caused when the level of circulating sex hormones is insufficient. When there is an insufficient level of these hormones, the body is unable to trigger ovulation, which can contribute to infertility. Symptoms of amenorrhea include deepened voice, lowered sex drive, increase in facial hair and decreased breast size. Milky white breast discharge, visual changes and headaches can also be symptomatic of amenorrhea.
Complications of Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea can cause complications leading to infertility that may include a lack of ovulation, or anovulation, uterine fibroids and polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. Uterine fibroids can lead to infertility because they can grow excessively large and obstruct the fallopian tubes and uterine cavity. Although infertility is not always a consequence of amenorrhea, a health care provider needs to evaluate the risk and recommend appropriate treatment.
Treatment Options for Amenorrhea
After amenorrhea has been diagnosed, the physician will recommend a treatment plan which may include oral contraceptives, lifestyle modifications such as weight loss or weight gain, increasing exercise, reducing stress levels, and if the patient has an eating disorder, the physician may recommend counseling. A course of fertility treatments may be recommended, as might hormone replacement therapy, to normalize hormone levels in the body. Treatment generally include treating the underlying medical causes of amenorrhea such as pituitary gland, ovary and hypothalamus disorders. Once the underlying cause is treated, the risk of infertility declines. The patient may be referred to an infertility specialist or endocrinologist for further testing and additional treatment.
