Amenorrhea is the lack of menstruation for three cycles or more, or when a young woman doesn’t get her first period before turning 15 years old. Amenorrhea can be caused by disease of the ovaries, anorexia, physical or emotional shock, stress and emotional upsets, travels or moving home or jobs. (P., Great Britian). Secondary amenorrhoea is more around natural moments in a woman’s life, like pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause. As we know, a lack of menstruation can suggest a hormonal imbalance of some sort that is preventing the cycle to occur in its normal rhythm.
Amenorrhoea is considered primary if a young woman reaches seventeen and has never had a period, or two years past when the other signs of puberty manifested (breast and pubic hair). Secondary amenorrhoea refers to menstruation which has stopped for more than six months when it was previously fairly regular. Amenorrhoea in adolescents may be a result of:
- Excessive exercise
- Low body fat
- Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
- Fasting
- Anorexia
- Malnutrition
- Anaemia
- Too much raw food
- Stress
- Drugs (such as tranquilisers or narcotics)
- Pregnancy
- Illness
- Severe infection
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)/ genito-urinary infections (GUIs) or sexually transmitted disease (STDs)
- Endocrine dysfunction (in pituitary, adrenal and hypothalamus)
- Under active thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Polycystic ovarian disease
- Some autoimmune disease
For diagnosis see your GP or natural therapy consultant.
Using essential oils can help to benefit several symptoms and conditions around women’s health. Essential oils can influence blood pressure, regulate nerve function and aid digestion. Many have potent anti-microbial properties. Essential oils can also affect our mental and emotional well-being. This is because the olfactory nerves pass directly from the nose to the brain’s emotional centre, the limbic system.
Some essential oils are uplifting, others are calming. Some provide balance when life feels like a rollercoaster, others provide a sense of nurture.
Some Essential Oils recommended for Amenorrhoea.
Carrot seed, German and Roman chamomile, clary sage, sweet fennel, evening primrose oil, geranium, juniper berry, lavender, sweet marjoram, rose otto and rose absolute, yarrow.
Any essential oil that is an emmenagogue such as Roman chamomile, German chamomile, carrot seed, clary sage, sweet fennel, lavender, sweet marjoram and sage can be used. (S., 2003)
Mailhebiau describes sage as the ‘saving’ herb. It is described as a typically feminine essential oil and its effect on the reproductive organs is remarkable, both physiologically and psychologically. He says that it brings rapid relief in cases of painful periods and, in amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea, its emmenagogue power is very active. (S., 2003)
Blend sage with clary sage to regulate dysmenorrhoea, activate periods that have ceased, temper and regulate heavy and painful periods.
The benefit of seeing a clinical aromatherapist is he/she can create an individualised blend, looking at not only the absence of periods, but how this is impacting you emotionally. However below is a blend commonly used to encourage regular periods. Use this blend daily as tummy massage after you shower each day. Your should see an improvement after 3 months.
- 100mL of cold pressed Sweet Almond Oil
- 10 drops Yarrow
- 15 drops Clary Sage
- 15 drops Geranium
- 10 drops Roman chamomile
- 5 drops Sweet Fennel
- 5 drops Rose absolute
Continue to chart your emotions and any symptoms. Download your chart from www.emgoddess.com.au
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