Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea: Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery

Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea is a condition where a woman’s periods stop for a long time due to changes in the brain’s signals. This can happen due to many reasons, including stress, weight loss, over exercising, or other health reasons. There are many women who don’t notice it until they miss their periods for several months or face issues in getting pregnant.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi, a Senior IVF Specialist and Gynaecologist, has helped many women who are facing missed periods and fertility issues. In this blog, we will share everything about Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea. We will share about its causes, symptoms, how it can be treated, and more.

What Is Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea?

Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea is when a woman’s periods stop for a long time. This happens because the brain stops sending signals to the body that are needed to have a period. A small part of the brain known as hypothalamus controls these signals.

This can happen if a woman is under a lot of stress, is not eating enough, loses too much weight, or exercises too much. It is not due to pregnancy or menopause. It’s important to know that periods can come back and fertility can improve with proper rest, healthy food, and medical help.

How Does It Affect the Body and Periods?

When someone has hypothalamic amenorrhoea, their periods stop for a long time. This is also called missing periods. This happens because the brain does not send the right signals to the ovaries to release important hormones. The ovaries don’t release eggs and the menstrual cycle gets delayed without these hormones.

This condition can also lead to tiredness, weak bones, low energy, mood swings, and difficulty in getting pregnant. There are some women who may also feel cold more often or have changes in their emotions. However, if it’s not treated on time then it can affect overall health and future fertility.

Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea Causes

Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea happens when the brain stops sending signals to the body to have periods. This usually happens because the body is under stress or not getting enough energy. Here are some causes of Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea:

• Too much weight loss – If you’re losing weight too fast or being underweight then it can stop your periods.
• Not eating enough – If you don’t eat enough food then your body will not have the energy to keep your periods going.
• Heavy exercise – If you’re doing too much exercise, especially without eating enough then it can make your periods stop.
• Stress – If you are feeling very stressed or worried for a long time then this can affect your periods.
• Low body fat – If your body fat is too low, your brain may stop the period cycle to save energy.

Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea Symptoms

The most common sign of hypothalamic amenorrhoea is missing periods for several months without getting pregnant. However, there are also other signs that your body may give you when this condition is present. These signs usually happen because your body isn’t making enough hormones.

Here are some common signs of Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea:

• No periods or very light periods for a long time
• Feeling tired or low on energy
• Difficulty in getting pregnant
• Dry skin or hair loss
• Feeling cold more often than usual
• Mood changes, like feeling sad or anxious
• Low sex drive
• Weak bones or bone pain (due to low estrogen levels)

Hypothalamus and Fertility

The hypothalamus is a small but very important part of the brain that helps to control many things in the body including fertility. It acts like a messenger between the brain and the reproductive system. The hypothalamus sends signals to start the hormone cycle that helps with ovulation (release of an egg) and regular periods.

However, factors like low BMI and fertility are closely linked. When a person has a low body mass index (BMI) then it can affect the hypothalamus’s ability to send the right signals. This may cause the brain to stop the hormone cycle. This can lead to missed periods and can make it difficult to get pregnant. So, it’s important to keep a healthy weight for the hypothalamus to support fertility and maintain regular periods.

How to Diagnose Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea?

Your doctor will ask questions, do tests, and some physical check ups to diagnose hypothalamic amenorrhoea. This helps them to understand what might be causing your missed periods and if the hypothalamus is involved.

How the doctor checks:

• They will ask about your periods and habits
• They will check your weight and health
• Your doctor will take blood tests to check important hormones
• They will do an ultrasound to look at your ovaries and womb
• They will make sure no other problem is causing your missed periods

Can It Be Treated or Reversed?

Yes, hypothalamic amenorrhoea can be treated and often gets better. The main thing is to fix what is causing the problem. This includes lowering stress, eating healthy food, gaining some weight if you are too thin, and getting enough rest. Sometimes, the doctor may also give medicines to help your periods come back. There are many women who may get their periods again and improve their chances of having a baby with the right guidance.

Recovery Tips: What Can Help You Heal?

Recovering from hypothalamic amenorrhoea involves simple lifestyle changes that support your body and help restore your natural cycle. Here are some helpful tips to support your recovery:

• Eat a balanced diet with enough calories and nutrients
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Reduce stress through relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing
• Get enough sleep every night
• Avoid excessive exercise and prefer gentle activities like walking or yoga
• Take time to rest and listen to your body’s needs
• Consult a doctor for better guidance and treatment if needed

Final Words

Hypothalamic amenorrhoea is an important condition to understand because it affects the natural menstrual cycle and fertility in women. In this blog, we have explained what hypothalamic amenorrhoea is, its causes, symptoms, how it affects the body, and ways to diagnose and treat it. It’s important to know about this condition to take the right steps toward recovery and better reproductive health.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Senior IVF Specialist and Gynaecologist) has supported many women who are dealing with hypothalamic amenorrhoea through careful diagnosis and personalized treatment plans. If you have concerns about your menstrual health or fertility, feel free to contact us. Call 95555 44421/22/23 or email [email protected] for expert guidance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• What is the difference between PCOS and hypothalamic amenorrhea?

PCOS causes hormone imbalance and irregular periods due to cysts on ovaries. Hypothalamic amenorrhea happens when the brain stops signals for periods because of stress, low weight, or heavy exercise.

• How can I get my period back?

Periods may come back by eating well, lowering stress, and resting. Sometimes doctors suggest medicines or hormone therapy.

• Can you get pregnant with hypothalamic amenorrhea?

Pregnancy is harder because ovulation stops, but with treatment, periods and fertility can return.

• How to cure hypothalamic amenorrhea?

It’s treated by improving lifestyle—good food, less stress, and less exercise. Doctors can help with extra treatment if needed.