How does oligomenorrhea develop?
Oligomenorrhea usually occurs in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It can also be caused by emotional and physical stress, chronic illness, tumors that secrete estrogen, poor nutrition and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Serious female athletes often develop oligomenorrhea as a result of strict diets and intense physical activity, which lead to a very low percentage of body fat. Oligomenorrhea may also be caused by a hormonal imbalance. The start of menstruation during puberty and the length and regularity of the menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones produced in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, as well as by the pituitary and adrenal glands. It is quite common and normal for the hormone messages sent by these glands to be out of sync in teenage girls who have just started menstruating. It should also be pointed out that a small number of women menstruate on a regular schedule as infrequently as once every two months, for no apparent reason. For
