Missed your period for about three months? Now THAT’s alarming! Maybe you are beginning to panic figuring out the cause and hurrying to find a solution to it. Let me suggest you start with understanding your menstrual cycle and the basics of fertility hormones in order to more optimistically look forward to better cycles, pregnancy and childbirth possibilities.

What is Amenorrhea?

Simply stated, if menstruation does not occur at times when you normally expect it to, this is amenorrhea. Your menstrual period is meant to stop for three reasons; when you’re pregnant, lactating, or in menopause. Regular menstrual cycles need a good functioning of your hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries and uterus. A normal anatomy of your cervix and vagina is imperative as well.

There are basically two types of amenorrhea, primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea:

1. Primary amenorrhea is when periods do not start during puberty until age 15 or later.
2. Secondary amenorrhea is when periods start but stops in a span of months.

Amenorrhea is a sign of a health problem when you normally have regular periods and then do not have any for roughly 3 months, or used to have irregular periods and then do not have any for 6 months. If this condition persists and remains unaddressed, the chance of achieving pregnancy is absolutely threatened.

Amenorrhea and Pregnancy

Amenorrhea and pregnancy don’t seem to go along with each other; in fact, they counter each other. Let’s explore knowing your hormones better to help you understand amenorrhea and pregnancy. The pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that regulate the female reproductive cycle. These two hormones, in turn, influence the production of estrogen and progesterone which control cyclic changes in the lining of the uterus. including menstruation. The estrogen’s primary function is development of female secondary sexual characteristics like breasts, endometrium, regulation of the menstrual cycle, etc., while progesterone stimulates glandular development and development of new blood vessels in the body in preparation for pregnancy. This sets a good environment for implantation by a fertilized egg. Therefore, if there’s hormonal imbalance, amenorrhea could result, which puts pregnancy on hold.

What are the Causes of Amenorrhea

Why can’t you get your period? What are the causes of amenorrhea? Check if :

• You’re pregnant. Sometimes, even with a negative pregnancy test, it’s still possible that you are really pregnant. hcG can be extremely low when miscarriage is impending and therefore not register pregnancy on the test.
• You’re breastfeeding. This could take a longer period depending on how often you are breastfeeding and the function of your body biology. You may not ovulate as often when breastfeeding.
• You’ve gone off birth control. Oftentimes the hormonal changes do not right themselves after discontinuing birth control. For many, it can take months, even over a year to ovulate again. Check the fine print.
• You’re taking other medications.
• You’re overweight – You can be holding too much estrogen. Losing weight and doing a detoxification cleanse can be a big help here.
• You’re underweight – Maybe not enough fat to produce needed hormones. Good cholesterol converts to hormones so good fats are a necessary part of hormone balance.
• You’re exercising too much and may lack body fat to impact your reproductive cycle. Same as above.
• Your stress level is high – High stress results in high cortisol and imbalance of testosterone and estrogens.
• You may have Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
• You may have Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) also known as premature ovarian failure. Sometimes, with POI, you could go for months or even years without a period, only to surprise you with a comeback.
• You may have hormonal imbalance in general.
• You may have uterine problems (endometriosis)
• You may have early menopause – check your FSH levels.

Most of these can be determined with zrt saliva hormone test at home.

Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

Some cases of secondary amenorrhea can be attributed to hypothalamic amenorrhea or Functioning Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. The hypothalamus, being the center of the brain controls reproduction, produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that signals the production of other hormones needed for the egg to mature and the hormones for ovulation. When the GnRH stops the production, menstruation stops, resulting in infertility.

Can I Get Pregnant if I Have Amenorrhea?

If you have amenorrhea, the first question that usually pops out is, “Can I get pregnant if I have amenorrhea? ” If your case is Primary amenorrhea, you can consult your doctor who can give you advice on how to get your menstrual cycle started. Secondary amenorrhea, however, can affect fertility because if your menstrual cycle has ceased it is very likely that you are not ovulating. However, if you’re breastfeeding, you can still be ovulating and get pregnant without menstruating.

DHEA and Fertility

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an abundant steroidal hormone released from the adrenal glands that stimulates the production of estrogen. It is the precursor of other hormones. Thankfully, there is natural DHEA hormone cream to simulate what your own DHEA would make if it could and to help aid in extending that “biological clock”, especially for women (it helps men as well). It can help naturally replenish DHEA hormones in the body; bioidentical to your own.

Progesterone Cream for Fertility

Progesterone is key in hormone balance. A natural decline of hormone levels with age may lead to female infertility. So, a natural progesterone cream for fertility might be another possibility for ending amenorrhea. The organic USP progesterone in Fertile Balance Cream helps support the body in returning balance to hormones.

Have you heard of the Progesterone, DHEA and Amenorrhea Challenge? This is commonly used with naturopaths and kinesiologists. This may be helpful for you.

A Sample Schedule of a Progesterone, DHEA and Amenorrhea Challenge Might Go Like This

• Eat healthy during this time to help the body to heal and cleanse. Consider a liver cleanse as part of the process.
• Progesterone and DHEA creams for 21 days and then 5 days off waiting for a period. Because you don’t have a menstrual period begin date, it is easy to count Day 1 on the first day of the month to begin use.
• If a period comes use both creams from Day 12 to 26. That means the first day of bleeding is your new Day 1 and you will count for 12 days. On day 12 start the creams again and use until Day 26. Do not go off the creams if you believe you are pregnant. Take a test first.
• Your period should start a few days after going off the creams.
• If it DOES start then continue the 12-26 regimen with both dhea and progesterone creams for several months.
• If it DOES NOT start within 5 days then start the bioidentical hormone creams again. REPEAT until cycles begin to form naturally and then move to the 12 to 26-day cycles until you achieve the desired results.

We have also seen some have success by using a tiny amount of progesterone each day for about 21 days on and 5-7 off. By a small amount we mean something like Cycle Balance Progesterone Oil which renders a 5 mg serving per pump. Sometimes, it just takes a little to make the difference. Taking a Female Hormone Balance supplement may help to gently cleanse the endocrine system and improve the female reproductive and fertility systems.

Visit Our Beyond Fertility Shop and check out our progesterone and DHEA products.

To have a better outlook while trying to conceive in spite of amenorrhea, embrace the changes in your body, but at the same time, seek help for hormonal balance.