Amenorrhea
Alternate Names : Absence of Menstrual Periods, Missed Menstrual Periods
A woman who has amenorrhea has either never had a menstrual period or has stopped having periods.
What is going on in the body?
There are two categories of amenorrhea:
Primary amenorrhea is not having had a period by age 16.
Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of periods in a woman who previously had regular menstrual cycles.
To have a period, a woman must have a normal, healthy:
uterus, cervix or opening to the uterus, vagina, and ovaries
pituitary gland
hypothalamus, a structure within the skull that controls much of the body's hormone production
An abnormality in any of these may keep a woman from having a period.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Primary amenorrhea is usually due to late puberty rather than any permanent problem. The reason for this delay is generally not known, though it may be a family trait. Other possible causes are:
a genetic disorder, such as Turner's syndrome
a hormonal problem, such as an improperly functioning thyroid gland
Pregnancy is the most common reason for secondary amenorrhea. A woman's periods may also stop temporarily due to:
breastfeeding
birth control pills
the birth control shot, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate
levonorgestrel implants
A woman's periods may not start up again for a while after she stops using birth control pills, shots or implants. Usually, periods will start again within 3 to 6 months.
Secondary amenorrhea may also be linked to:
depression
emotional stress
poor nutrition
drugs, such as tranquilizers or antidepressants
rapid weight loss or gain
chronic systemic illnesses, such as kidney failure or cancer
too much exercise
recent surgery
a hormonal imbalance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
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