Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction can cause secondary amenorrhea

Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction is a common cause of secondary amenorrhea. Dysfunction of any link in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis will lead to abnormal secretion and mutual regulation of various hormones, inhibit the formation of pituitary and ovarian estrogen and progesterone, lead to endocrine disorders, and cause amenorrhea. The causes of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction are:

Psychological factors

Mental stress, fear, anxiety, changes in living environment, etc. can all cause dysfunction of the central nervous system and hypothalamus, especially young women with healthy ovarian function, who are more likely to experience amenorrhea. This type of amenorrhea generally does not require treatment and can be naturally restored through psychological counseling.

Malnutrition

Systemic wasting diseases such as gastrointestinal dysfunction, severe tuberculosis and severe anemia can affect the synthesis and secretion of hypothalamic and pituitary hormones, leading to amenorrhea; anorexia nervosa is a hypothalamic dysfunction caused by mental factors, which leads to severe malnutrition, sudden weight loss, hypopituitarism, hypofunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, and secondary amenorrhea.

Drug factors

A small number of women experience amenorrhea after stopping oral contraceptives or long-acting contraceptive injections. This is because contraceptives have a sustained inhibitory effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, causing over-inhibition syndrome. Women with existing menstrual disorders or infrequent ovulation, or those who take contraceptives too early after miscarriage or full-term delivery are prone to amenorrhea. Sedatives within the normal dosage range can also affect the function of the hypothalamus and cause amenorrhea. Generally, menstruation will resume naturally after stopping the medication.