Pronounced: ay-men-or-EE-uh
Amenorrhea refers to the absence of a menstrual cycle. Primary amenorrhea occurs if an adolescent female has not yet begun menstruation by around age 16 or so. Secondary amenorrhea describes a condition in which a woman who has previously menstruated on a regular basis misses three or more periods in a row. In the United States, amenorrhea affects between 2-5% of women.
Most females begin menstruating between the ages of 9-18, but age 12 is the average. Menstruation, or a menstrual period, refers to the monthly process in which the uterus sheds blood and tissue in preparation for pregnancy.
If a female has not started her menstrual period by age 16, a doctor should be contacted to determine the cause and prescribe any treatment that may be necessary.
Secondary amenorrhea is most commonly caused by pregnancy. But in nonpregnant women, amenorrhea may result from a variety of factors, including an existing medical condition, lifestyle, emotional distress, hormonal irregularity, or medication. Every effort should be made to determine the exact cause. Specific causes of amenorrhea include:
Women who eat a diet that doesn’t provide sufficient caloric intake, exercise excessively, or suffer under considerable psychological distress are more likely to experience amenorrhea.
Women born with chromosomal or hormonal abnormalities, as well as those who suffer from certain chronic diseases, are also more likely to experience amenorrhea.
The main symptom of primary amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period in girls age 16 or older. The main symptom of secondary amenorrhea is three or more missed periods in a row in a woman who has previously had a regular period.
If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t assume that the cause of your amenorrhea is something serious. If you’re sexually active, the first thing to do is to determine if you’re pregnant. Then see your physician to get a proper diagnosis.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include the following:
All or even most of these tests are rarely indicated.
Treatment for amenorrhea is dependent upon the cause of the condition:
Many cases of amenorrhea are unavoidable with the notable exceptions of pregnancy, eating disorders, and cases related to medications. Use effective contraception if you are sexually active and maintain a healthy body weight through a reasonable diet and exercise regimen. Seeking help during time of stress may also help prevent a bout of amenorrhea.
RESOURCES:
National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.womenshealth.gov/
United States National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
http://www.sogc.org/index_e.asp/
References:
Amenorrhea. Epigee Women's Health website.
Available at:
http://www.epigee.org/menstruation/amenorrhea.html.
Accessed
September 14, 2006.
Amenorrhea: What you should know. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/885.xml. Accessed September 14, 2006.
Laufer, MR, Floor, AE, Parsons, KE, et al. Hormone testing in women with adult-onset amenorrhea. Gynecol Obstet Invest . 1995; 40:200.
Perkins, RB, Hall, JE, Martin, KA. Neuroendocrine abnormalities in hypothalamic amenorrhea: spectrum, stability, and response to neurotransmitter modulation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 1999; 84:1905.
Reindollar, RH, Novak, M, Tho, SP, McDonough, PG. Adult-onset amenorrhea: a study of 262 patients. Am J Obstet Gynecol . 1986; 155:531.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Jeff Andrews, MD, FRCSC, FACOG
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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