What is Amenorrhea, and How Does Massage Affect It?

Have you heard of amenorrhea? It’s a very clinical sounding word, and perhaps a scary one, but it’s something that undeniably is present in many lives. To put it simply, amenorrhea is absence of your menstrual cycles. A missed cycle here and there is nothing to fret about, but when you don’t menstruate for several consecutive months, that could signal a bigger problem. A little disconcerting, especially if you aren’t sure why it happens.

You may be asking yourself, “So what — can a massage help with something like this? Most people probably wouldn’t think of the association between massage and menstrual health, but it’s an interesting question. Now, don’t get me wrong, the body is a strange thing and massage can actually help in cases of amenorrhea. Amenorrhea: What Is It, Why Does It Happen and How Could Massage Help?

So, what exactly is amenorrhea? In medical terms, amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. This condition can be classified into two types:

1. Primary Amenorrhea: This type occurs, when a budding person reaches 16 years of age without any sign of their first period. In some cases, it is due to a personal factor or a health issue.
2. Secondary Amenorrhea: This is when someone has missed their period for three months or more after having regular periods. Secondary amenorrhea can be caused by a number of things such as stress, hormonal shifts, lifestyle factors and health conditions.

Amenorrhea requires the establishment of the root cause. This could be a case of normal conditions, such as pregnancy or menopause, but at times it might also point to other orientations in the body. An example might be imbalance hormones or excessive physical stress that disrupts the operating cycle. Knowing what lies behind amenorrhea will provide the first step towards choosing an approach.

Common Causes of Amenorrhea

When someone experiences amenorrhea, it’s natural to want to know why. Let’s take a look at some common causes.

Hormonal Imbalances

Some of the major regulatory functions of the menstrual cycle are actually carried out by hormones. Conditions such as PCOS or thyroid problems can affect hormone levels, causing a woman to skip her periods. When these hormones, notably estrogen and progesterone, are out of balance, the cycle is affected wholly.

Stress

Few of us realize just how powerful stress is. Either emotional or physical forms of stress may affect your hormones, especially cortisol-often referred to as the “stress hormone.” High levels of cortisol interfere with other hormones and, after some time, may cause amenorrhea.

Low Weight or Excess Exercise

This is interfered with by being underweight or extremely athletic activity. The body responds to low levels of body fat or the stress of extreme workouts by shutting down the reproductive functions for a while. This happens quite often in athletes or individuals who are put on or have to follow strict weight control programs.

Medical Conditions

While it may be other times caused by tumors on the pituitary gland, ovarian cysts, or disorders in the adrenal glands, these causes of acne are relatively rare but serious and often require a doctor’s attention.

Lifestyle Factors

Eating habits, sleep patterns, and lifestyle in general could be some of the reasons behind menstruation troubles. A well-maintained lifestyle with proper nutrition, timely sleep, and negation of stress is important to have the right periodicity of menstruation.

How Can Massage Help with Amenorrhea?

Now that we have identified just what amenorrhea is, and some of the causes associated with it, let’s discuss what part massage therapy may play. You may be thinking, How does massage help a condition of the menstrual cycle? Massage has many benefits that actually affect amenorrhea in many indirect ways.

Stress Reduction

Massage has a reputation for reducing stress. Since stress is among the major interfering factors in menstrual flow, reduction of it sometimes helps in restoring it. While this might be a stressful thought, your body secretes cortisol when you are under stress, which can interfere with reproductive hormones. Regular massage will lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation, helping your cycle get back to normal.

Lie on a comfortable table and be surrounded by soothing music and calming scents. Such gentle massages can ease tense muscles and help an individual unwind. For some, the relaxing massage is good enough to bring some balance back into their lives and help reduce stress-related amenorrhea.

Improved Blood Circulation

Other ways massage may help individuals with amenorrhea include how it improves blood circulation. Massaging the abdomen and lower back promotes blood flow to the reproductive organs. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to these areas, perhaps to help regulate the menstrual cycle. To some, regular massage could mean more regular times of the month.

Hormone Regulation

It should also provide an excellent massage for the reproductive organs and endocrine system. The abdominal massage by a professional may stimulate the body’s natural secretion of hormones that may help in amenorrhea brought on by hormonal problems.

Support for Lymphatic Immunity

The lymphatic system plays a huge role in the removal of toxins from the body. At times, when any accumulation of toxins occurs, it interferes with the functioning of hormones. The lymphatic system, when stimulated by massage, supports the natural detoxification process of your body and hence is beneficial to hormonal balance, and maybe even helps with amenorrhea.

Types of Massage That May Help with Amenorrhea

Not all massages are created equal. For amenorrhea, specific types of massage might be more beneficial than others.

Abdominal Massage

Amenorrhea can also be successfully treated with an abdominal massage. Abdomen and pelvic regions are manipulated in such a type of massage to stimulate blood flow and to help in regulating hormones. It’s a gentle approach to assist the natural workings of the body.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a treatment wherein selected parts of both the hands and feet are subjected to a form of massage to stimulate the corresponding parts of the body. It points, in menstrual health, at the areas of the ovaries, uterus, and endocrine system. Reflexology is a non-invasive way of supporting reproductive health.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage, by its very nature-involving long, soothing strokes-is ideal for relaxation. The overall stress level can be lowered through this type of massage as well, which was mentioned earlier as one of the common causative agents that often lead to amenorrhea. A session with a Swedish massage can, therefore, turn out to be quite an unwinding activity to reduce stress-induced amenorrhea.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release refers to the connective tissue surrounding the muscles themselves. This technique is used on individuals who have muscular tension, mostly tensions coming from the pelvic area. Therefore, this type of massage can indirectly contribute to curing amenorrhea through relaxation and facilitation of circulation.

What You Can Expect During a Massage for Amenorrhea

If you are considering massage to help with amenorrhea, it is natural to question what a session may look or feel like. Generally speaking, a massage professional will consult with a person regarding menstrual history, levels of stress, and their concerns. This gives them an idea of how they need to perform the massage to suit the person’s needs.

During the massage, the therapist will pay special attention to your abdomen, lower back, or even your feet if trying reflexology. The massage should feel gentle and relaxing; you may even feel warmth as blood flow increases in these areas-a good thing.

After that, you will be relaxed and maybe sleepy. It is recommended to rest well, drink amply, and avoid stress in order to reinforce the effects.

Are There Any Risks to Consider?

As much as massage may be used, it is good to adopt a cautious approach. If you have any chronic conditions, advance consult your health care provider. If you have primary amenorrhea, you would want to work with a professional because this could point to serious conditions.

For amenorrhea caused by hormonal or stress-related issues, massage is a further treatment that works best in conjunction with. Of course, this does not replace medical treatment. If one is unsure, one must seek a qualified health professional.

I’m well aware of how frustrating it can be to have irregular or no periods. It feels confusing and possibly a little isolating, especially when you’re not sure what causes it. So, no need to feel alone in that direction. Many people have amenorrhea, and looking into natural options such as massage may be one gentle way to support your health.

While massage isn’t a “magic fix,” it can be profoundly supportive, especially when stress or lifestyle factors contribute to your amenorrhea. Think of massage as being part of the big picture toward wellness. In that you set aside time to decrease your stress, eat well, and move your body, you’re creating an environment where your body can heal and balance itself.

If you want to try massage for amenorrhea relief, you can look for a professional massage expert who can explain all the subtleties of the technique and teach you how to conduct massage and include it in your regimen of health maintenance. And remember: care for yourself is already the very first step toward support for the body in its natural cycling.

For more information on massage therapy and how it may support you, feel free to visit my website at Step Above Massage.