Oligomenorrhea can cause infertility in women. Oligomenorrhea is indicated by irregular and light menstrual periods. Many women who suffer from oligomenorrhea may only have four to nine periods per year. They may only occur between five and six weeks, instead of every 28 days.
Cause of Oligomenorrhea
Oligomenorrhea can be caused by a number of things. One of the main causes is low body weight. When the person is underweight, the hypothalamus gland may not function properly. The hypothalamus controls the body's temperature, metabolism, eating, sleeping and reproduction. If the hypothalamus is not working properly, it can cause problems with fertility. Oligomenorrhea can also be caused by stress, illness, excessive exercising and the use of illegal drugs. Any of these can cause problems with the reproductive organs.
Treatment of Oligomenorrhea
The treatment for oligomenorrhea will usually depend on the cause of it. For women who are underweight, the best way to treat it is to increase body weight. This can be done by placing the patient on a controlled diet to help her gain weight. If the woman is using illegal drugs and cannot stop using these on her own, she may need to be placed into a drug treatment facility to help with this. If it is caused by a hormonal problem, it can be treated with replacement hormones.
Prevention
The best way to prevent oligomenorrhea is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes making sure that you maintain a healthy body weight and get regular checkups with your doctor. It is especially important to see your doctor if you notice a change in your menstrual cycle.