Menopause is not always menopause… these are its hidden causes

Amenorrhea is often associated with menopause, but this disorder can also affect young, healthy women, especially given the prevalence of crash diets and rapid weight loss.

The regularity of the cycle is an essential indicator of the health of the hormonal balance, while its sudden cessation raises legitimate concern. A common cause of what is known as “secondary menopause” is the adoption of strict diets. It is diagnosed when menstruation stops for three consecutive months in a woman whose cycle was regular, or six months in someone who already suffers from irregularity.

The menstrual cycle depends on a delicate balance between hormones regulated by a complex relationship between the brain, pituitary gland, and ovaries. When a woman resorts to harsh diets, such as sharply reducing calories, excluding fats, long fasting, or rapid weight loss, the body deals with the situation as a state of stress or “famine,” and reduces the secretion of hormones that stimulate ovulation, which leads to a decrease in estrogen and the cessation of the cycle.

Medical references point to what is known as hypothalamic functional amenorrhea, which is a disorder that does not result from a physical disease, but rather from a lack of energy, psychological stress, or excessive exercise, and is common among those who follow strict diets or suffer from eating disorders.

Although the cessation of menstruation may be temporary, its continuation for a long period may have important health effects, most notably decreased fertility, weak bone density, and increased risk of fractures, in addition to psychological disorders and long-term health problems. Therefore, doctors advise not to ignore menopause if it exceeds three months without a clear reason.

Treatment does not usually depend on medications, but rather on lifestyle modification, by gradually increasing calories, introducing healthy fats, reducing strenuous exercises, and treating stress, with regular medical follow-up. Specialists confirm that safe weight loss is based on moderation, as the cycle often returns to normal when nutritional and hormonal balance is restored.

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