Natural treatments for amenorrhea
Natural treatments for amenorrhea, defined as the absence of menstrual bleeding not associated with menopause, encompass various herbs, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments. While the underlying causes of amenorrhea can range from stress and significant weight loss to hormonal imbalances, some women explore natural remedies. Proposed treatments include herbs like chasteberry, which may help reduce elevated prolactin levels, and other supplements such as vitamin B6 and zinc. However, there is limited scientific evidence regarding their effectiveness in treating amenorrhea. Lifestyle factors, particularly diet and exercise, play a crucial role; women are encouraged to maintain a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients and avoid extreme exercise regimens. Additionally, practices like acupuncture, yoga, and meditation are also suggested as holistic approaches to managing symptoms. Caution is advised, as certain substances, such as those found in flaxseed, may inadvertently exacerbate the condition by increasing prolactin levels. Women experiencing amenorrhea should consult healthcare professionals to explore the most appropriate treatment options tailored to their individual circumstances.
Natural treatments for amenorrhea
DEFINITION: Treatment of the absence of menstrual bleeding not associated with menopause.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: None
OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Alfalfa seed, angelica, asafetida, black cohosh, bugleweed, chasteberry, mugwort, parsley, progesterone, rue, vitamin B6, zinc
HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO AVOID: Flaxseed, lignans
Introduction
The term “amenorrhea” literally means an “absence of menstrual bleeding.” In medicine, amenorrhea indicates one of two conditions: the cessation of the menstrual cycle in a woman of menstrual age (secondary amenorrhea) or the lack of a menstrual cycle in a girl who has reached the age of sixteen years.
There are many causes of amenorrhea. Severe weight loss, such as may occur in a woman with anorexia nervosa, and extreme exercise, such as marathon running, bodybuilding, or professional-caliber ballet dancing, can cause the menstrual period to stop. Young college women may develop amenorrhea, possibly from stress or perhaps as a reflex reaction to what the body considers a “migration.” Pregnancy and nursing stop the menstrual cycle by design, and women who have used oral contraceptives may find that it takes a while for a regular menstrual cycle to return after discontinuing them.
More rarely, amenorrhea may indicate a serious medical condition, such as a disorder of the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, or the ovaries. For this reason, a woman should check with her doctor if she misses more than one menstrual period. Medical treatment for amenorrhea depends on the cause. If an examination reveals no underlying cause, physicians may recommend oral contraceptives to restart the menstrual cycle.
Proposed Natural Treatments
The hormone progesterone, available (probably inappropriately) as an ingredient in some “natural” creams, may help restore the menstrual cycle. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, oral use of a micronized form of progesterone restored a regular menstrual cycle in women with secondary amenorrhea. Although progesterone is marketed as a “natural hormone,” it is as much a drug as estrogen and should never be used without medical supervision.
In some women, the pituitary gland produces excess levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that naturally rises during pregnancy to stimulate milk production; prolactin can also cause amenorrhea. Excessive pituitary prolactin release is a condition that must be medically investigated because it may indicate the presence of a tumor. It is possible, however, that slight abnormalities in prolactin level without a dangerous medical cause may trigger amenorrhea in some women. The herb chasteberry is thought to reduce prolactin levels, so it has been tried for amenorrhea. No double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on this potential use of chasteberry have been reported. However, clinical studies have shown that chasteberry may help lower prolactin and raise progesterone levels in the body. Studies have also shown chasteberry has effectively relieved premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Bugleweed is also thought to reduce prolactin levels but has not been tested for amenorrhea.
Other commonly proposed natural treatments for amenorrhea include the supplements vitamin B6 and zinc and the herbs black cohosh, angelica, asafetida, alfalfa seed, mugwort, parsley, and rue. However, no meaningful scientific evidence indicates whether they are effective.
For reasons that are not entirely clear, women who have developed amenorrhea because of heavy exercise tend to experience an accelerated rate of bone loss, which may lead to osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D supplements cannot protect bone mass under these circumstances. Stronger measures may be necessary, such as reducing exercise or using medications.
There are many other proposed natural treatments for amenorrhea, but most need more significant scientific exploration. These include licorice, vervain, kelp, wild yam, and many others. The preceding natural treatments have estrogen-mimicking qualities, so patients should avoid taking these if they are prone to hormonal cancers. Diet and exercise can play a key role in treating amenorrhea as well. Diets should not be too low in fat and should include calcium, magnesium, Vitamins D, B6, K, boron, and essential fatty acids. Acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and massage have been offered as a natural treatment for amenorrhea.
Herbs and Supplements to Avoid
Substances called lignans, which are found in many foods but most especially in flax seeds, may increase prolactin levels. Certain herbs and supplements may interact with oral contraceptive drugs used to treat amenorrhea.
Bibliography
Baer, J. T., et al. "Diet, Hormonal, and Metabolic Factors Affecting Bone Mineral Density in Adolescent Amenorrheic and Eumenorrheic Female Runners." Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, vol. 32, 1992, pp. 51-58.
Ehrlich, Steven D. "Amenorrhea - Complementary and Alternative Medicine." St. Luke's Hospital, 19 Dec. 2015, www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000006.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2023.
Hutchins, A. M., et al. "Flaxseed Consumption Influences Endogenous Hormone Concentrations in Postmenopausal Women." Nutrition and Cancer, vol. 39, 2001, pp. 58-65.
Jazani, Arezoo M., et al. "Herbal Medicine for Oligomenorrhea and Amenorrhea: A Systematic Review of Ancient and Conventional Medicine." BioMed Research International, vol. 2018, 2017, doi.org/10.1155/2018/3052768.3.
Nwadike, Valinda Riggins. "How to Regulate Periods: 20 Home Remedies, Natural Options, More." Healthline, 8 May 2019, www.healthline.com/health/how-to-regulate-periods#herbal-supplements. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Shangold, M. M., et al. "Factors Associated with Withdrawal Bleeding After Administration of Oral Micronized Progesterone in Women with Secondary Amenorrhea." Fertility and Sterility, vol. 56, 1991, pp. 1040-1047.
Sulik, Sandra M., and Cathryn B. Heath. Primary Care Procedures in Women’s Health. New York: Springer, 2010.
Verkaik, Saskia, et al. "The Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome with Preparations of Vitex agnus castus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Systematic Reviews, vol. 217, no. 2, Aug. 2017, pp. 150-166.
Zoorob, J. R. "CAM and Women’s Health: Selected Topics." Primary Care, vol. 37, no. 2, 2010, pp. 367-387.