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Period blockage: symptoms and solutions

Occasionally, you may not get your period for several weeks or even months at a time. We call this period blockage, or amenorrhea. How and why does this happen? We explain!

Contents

What are the symptoms of blocked periods?

First of all, it's important to understand that amenorrhea can be divided into two categories:

  • Primary amenorrhea is simply the fact of never having had a period. Primary amenorrhea is generally defined as menstruation occurring later than average. Of course, there's no normal age for menstruation: everyone has their own rhythm.
  • In the case ofsecondary amenorrhea, symptoms can appear at any stage in a woman's life, from the moment she has had her period for the first time. To qualify as secondary amenorrhea, the blockage of the menstrual flow or theabsence of menses must occur for at least 3 months, outside pregnancy, breast-feeding or the menopause. This means 3 months without ovulation and menstruation In other words, the cycle is on hiatus. Secondary amenorrhea can also cause symptoms such as hot flushes or pelvic or uterine pain.

What are the causes and origins of blocked periods?

Blocked periods can be caused by a number of factors.

Taking hormonal contraception

Some hormonal contraceptives can stop menstruation. This is the case with certain pills, as well as with women taking hormonal implants or IUDs.

When a woman decides to stop taking the pill, for example, the hormonal change that takes place at that moment can lead to a (temporary) halt in menstruation.

Depending on the woman, this may last more or less time. Some women won't return to their natural cycle for 6 months, while others will get their period back in just a few months or weeks.

Pregnancy or menopause

When we think of menstruation stopping, the first cause that springs to mind is of course pregnancy. In fact, it's the leading cause of amenorrhea.

But don't panic, pregnancy isn't the only factor that can cause your periods to stop.

Menopause is, as you'd expect, a logical cause of period stoppage. Menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Before that, during the premenopausal period, menstruation stops gradually, with irregular discharge. So it's not uncommon not to have a period for several months, and then for it to reappear, before stalling for several more months.

If you have any questions or concerns about this phenomenon, consult your doctor, gynaecologist or midwife!

Breastfeeding after childbirth

When you're breastfeeding after childbirth, it's normal for your period to stop. The time it takes for your period to return varies from person to person, and it's normal for it to take longer if you're breastfeeding.

Psychological shock

The mind also plays a very important role in regulating the menstrual cycle and the arrival, or otherwise, of your period. Stress can delay, and in some cases block, the onset of bleeding.

If you've suffered a psychological shock, your menstrual flow may also be affected.

Other causes of blocked periods

Blocked periods can also be caused by other conditions, such as

  • polycystic ovary syndrome
  • over-intensive sports (an estimated 50% of top-level athletes are affected)
  • pituitary causes
  • medication
  • eating disorders
  • uterine scarring or uterine causes

What are the treatments for blocked periods?

Fortunately, menstrual blockage is not a fatal condition, and there are solutions to help menstruation return. Before considering any treatment, it's important to identify the cause of the problem.

Hormonal treatments

If your absence of periods is due to a hormonal imbalance, such as a deficiency of estrogen and/or progesterone, then a hormonal treatment to regulate the situation would be a good solution.

Surgical treatment

On the other hand, if the menstrual blockage is linked to a malformation, surgery may be considered to restore the menstrual cycle.

Psychotherapy

Since an absence of periods can be the result of a psychological shock, psychotherapy can be a very good solution. In general, it's important not to leave your mental health to one side: it's just as important to take care of it as your physical health.

Alternative medicine

Finally, to alleviate causes such as stress, alternative medicine such as sophrology or naturopathy can help you relax and combat anxiety, eating disorders etc...

Should I seek medical advice if my period is blocked?

If you're worried about your late period and it's persisting, it's advisable to consult a professional. He or she will be able to guide you and, if necessary, prescribe examinations or treatments tailored to you and your particular problem.

Don't panic: missed periods are not necessarily due to pregnancy or anything serious.

FAQs on blocked periods

What are the symptoms of blocked periods?

The first symptom of blocked periods, also known as amenorrhea, is of course the absence of menstrual flow. But it can also be accompanied by pain or hot flushes, depending on the cause of the lack of bleeding. Of course, every body is different.

Why are my periods blocked?

There are a number of reasons why your period may be blocked: stress, psychological shock, pregnancy, menopause, sopk, medication, etc. Only the advice of a healthcare professional can help you determine the cause.

What are the treatment options for blocked periods?

There are many solutions for treating period blockage, depending on the cause of the blockage.

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