Amenorrhea: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation in women, which can be a primary or secondary condition.

Primary amenorrhea is when a woman has never experienced menstruation, while secondary amenorrhea is when a woman who has previously menstruated stops experiencing periods. Causes of amenorrhea can include hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, and certain medical treatments.

If left untreated, amenorrhea can lead to reproductive issues, osteoporosis, and mood disorders. To alleviate amenorrhea, herbal remedies such as wild yam, red clover, and blue cohosh can be used in teas, tinctures, or infusions.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, as they can interact with medications or worsen underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of amenorrhea, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of amenorrhea?

The main causes of amenorrhea are primarily categorized into primary and secondary amenorrhea.

Primary amenorrhea, which occurs in individuals who have never menstruated, is often caused by genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome (45,X), androgen insensitivity syndrome (XY with testes but external female genitalia), or congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract like Mullerian agenesis. Secondary amenorrhea, which is characterized by the cessation of menstrual periods in individuals who had previously menstruated, is commonly associated with hypothalamic or pituitary disorders, such as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, or with physical conditions like obesity, hyperprolactinemia, or thyroid disorders. Additionally, certain medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery can also cause secondary amenorrhea.

Moreover, lifestyle factors like intense exercise, stress, or restrictive dieting can also disrupt menstrual cycles and lead to amenorrhea.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that affects ovulation, leading to irregular menstrual cycles or complete cessation of menstruation due to anovulation and androgen excess.
• Thyroid Disease: Thyroid disease, particularly hypothyroidism, can cause amenorrhea due to the disruption of the body's hormonal balance and the subsequent effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
• Weight Loss or Gain: Significant weight loss or gain can disrupt the body's hormonal balance, particularly leptin levels, leading to changes in menstrual patterns and potentially resulting in amenorrhea.
• Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt the body's hormonal balance, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to changes in menstrual patterns and potentially resulting in amenorrhea.
• Hypothalamic Dysfunction: Hypothalamic dysfunction, particularly a disruption in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator, can lead to anovulation and subsequent amenorrhea due to the failure of the hypothalamus to stimulate the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins.
• Premature Ovarian Failure: Premature ovarian failure, also known as premature ovarian insufficiency, occurs when the ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40, leading to amenorrhea due to the cessation of estrogen production.
• Genetic Disorders: Genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome, can disrupt the development of the ovaries and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, leading to amenorrhea due to the underlying developmental abnormalities.
• Hormone Imbalance: Hormone imbalances, particularly an excess of androgens or an insufficiency of estrogen, can disrupt ovulation and lead to amenorrhea due to the altered hormonal environment.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as chemotherapy, can disrupt the body's hormonal balance and lead to amenorrhea due to the suppression of the ovaries and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
• Surgery: Surgical procedures, such as hysterectomy or ovarian surgery, can disrupt the body's hormonal balance and lead to amenorrhea due to the removal or damage of the ovaries and the subsequent effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for amenorrhea?

The main medicinal herbs used for amenorrhea are Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Cimicifuga racemosa, Ginkgo biloba, Rehmannia glutinosa, Dioscorea villosa, Astragalus membranaceus, Panax ginseng, Cuscuta chinensis, Curcuma longa.

Angelica sinensis is used to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramps due to its estrogen-like properties and ability to increase blood flow. Paeonia lactiflora has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce menstrual pain and promote uterine contractions. Cimicifuga racemosa, also known as black cohosh, has antispasmodic and anticoagulant properties that help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce menstrual cramps.

These herbs along with Ginkgo biloba, which improves blood flow and reduces inflammation, Rehmannia glutinosa, which helps regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramps, Dioscorea villosa, which regulates cortisol levels and promotes uterine contractions, Astragalus membranaceus, which improves overall hormonal balance, Panax ginseng, which regulates cortisol levels and improves blood flow, Cuscuta chinensis, which helps regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramps, and Curcuma longa, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce menstrual pain, are commonly used to treat amenorrhea due to their ability to regulate hormonal balance and alleviate menstrual symptoms.

• Angelica sinensis: Angelica sinensis, also known as dong quai, helps with amenorrhea by regulating menstrual cycles and improving uterine blood flow due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids that act as a uterotonic agent, stimulating the uterus to contract and promoting menstruation.
• Paeonia lactiflora: Paeonia lactiflora, or peony root, helps with amenorrhea by regulating estrogen levels and promoting menstrual flow due to its isoflavones and terpenoids that act as a hormone modulator, influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and stimulating the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
• Cimicifuga racemosa: Cimicifuga racemosa, or black cohosh, helps with amenorrhea by regulating menstrual cycles and improving estrogen balance due to its phenolic glycosides and lignans that act as a phytoestrogen, mimicking the effects of estrogen and promoting menstrual flow.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba, or ginkgo, helps with amenorrhea by improving blood flow to the uterus and regulating menstrual cycles due to its flavonoids and terpenoids that act as a vasodilator, increasing blood flow and promoting menstruation.
• Rehmannia glutinosa: Rehmannia glutinosa, or Chinese foxglove, helps with amenorrhea by regulating menstrual cycles and promoting menstrual flow due to its iridoids and phenolic acids that act as a uterotonic agent, stimulating the uterus to contract and promoting menstruation.
• Dioscorea villosa: Dioscorea villosa, or Chinese yam, helps with amenorrhea by regulating estrogen levels and promoting menstrual flow due to its diosgenin that acts as a phytoestrogen, mimicking the effects of estrogen and promoting menstrual flow.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus, or membranous milk vetch, helps with amenorrhea by regulating immune function and reducing inflammation due to its saponins and polysaccharides that act as an immunomodulator, influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and promoting menstrual flow.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng, or Asian ginseng, helps with amenorrhea by regulating hormonal balance and improving blood flow to the uterus due to its ginsenosides that act as a vasodilator, increasing blood flow and promoting menstruation.
• Cuscuta chinensis: Cuscuta chinensis, or Chinese dodder, helps with amenorrhea by regulating menstrual cycles and promoting menstrual flow due to its saponins and phenolic acids that act as a uterotonic agent, stimulating the uterus to contract and promoting menstruation.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with amenorrhea by regulating menstrual cycles and reducing inflammation due to its curcuminoids that act as an anti-inflammatory agent, influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and promoting menstrual flow.

What are the main herbal preparations used for amenorrhea?

The main herbal preparations used for amenorrhea are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Cream, Suppository, Gel, Salve, Poultice, Powder, Elixir.

Decoction of herbs such as Vitex agnus-castus and Tribulus terrestris is used to stimulate uterine contractions and regulate menstrual cycles. Tincture of herbs like Angelica sinensis and Chasteberry are used to balance hormonal imbalances and promote menstrual flow. Capsules of herbs like Red Clover and Dong Quai are used to regulate hormonal imbalances and promote uterine contractions.

Cream and Suppository of herbs like Wild Yam and Ginger are used to relax the uterine muscles and promote menstrual flow, while Gel, Salve, Poultice, Powder, and Elixir of herbs like Peony and Licorice root are used to nourish the body and regulate hormonal imbalances, promoting menstrual cycle regulation.

• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of the Pueraria mirifica plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its isoflavone content, which has been shown to stimulate the endometrium and promote menstrual cycle regulation.
• Tincture: A tincture of the leaves of the Vitex agnus-castus plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its agnuside content, which has been shown to regulate menstrual cycles and stimulate estrogen production.
• Capsule: Capsules containing the extract of the Tribulus terrestris plant are used to help with amenorrhea due to its saponin content, which has been shown to stimulate the hypothalamus and promote the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
• Cream: A cream containing the extract of the Cimicifuga racemosa plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its actein content, which has been shown to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce stress.
• Suppository: A suppository containing the extract of the Castanea crenata plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its oleanolic acid content, which has been shown to stimulate the uterus and promote menstrual bleeding.
• Gel: A gel containing the extract of the Angelica sinensis plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its ferulic acid content, which has been shown to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce inflammation.
• Salve: A salve containing the extract of the Ginkgo biloba plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its flavonoid content, which has been shown to regulate blood flow and promote menstrual cycle regulation.
• Poultice: A poultice containing the roots of the Atractylodes macrocephala plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its sesquiterpene content, which has been shown to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce stress.
• Powder: A powder containing the extract of the Leonurus cardiaca plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its stachydrine content, which has been shown to regulate menstrual cycles and stimulate estrogen production.
• Elixir: An elixir containing the extract of the Paeonia lactiflora plant is used to help with amenorrhea due to its paeoniflorin content, which has been shown to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce inflammation.