What are the symptoms of amenorrhea in women?
I am a 46-year-old woman. Recently, I have noticed that my menstrual cycle has become irregular and my menstrual flow has gradually decreased. I would like to know whether these symptoms could be signs of impending menopause, and what other specific symptoms might occur during menopause?
Doctor's answer (1)
Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstrual periods for three consecutive months or longer in women with previously normal menstrual cycles. Common symptoms include changes in menstrual cycle patterns, abnormal menstrual flow, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. It can be specifically categorized into primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea.
Primary amenorrhea typically refers to females over the age of 14 who have not yet developed secondary sexual characteristics, or those over the age of 16 who have developed secondary sexual characteristics but have not yet experienced menarche. Secondary amenorrhea refers to the cessation of menstruation for three cycles or more than six months following previous menstrual periods. Regarding symptoms, women with secondary amenorrhea may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, including irregular menstrual periods and abnormal increases or decreases in menstrual flow. Additionally, symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, vaginal dryness, irritability, and dyspareunia may also occur. During the menopausal transition, as estrogen levels gradually decline, women may also experience symptoms like hot flashes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases.
Women experiencing amenorrhea should seek timely medical attention. A diagnosis can be established through a detailed medical history, physical examination, and necessary auxiliary tests such as blood hormone level testing, ultrasound, and MRI. Treatment should be targeted according to the specific underlying cause.
