Amenorrhea
What You Should Know About Amenorrhea
What is amenorrhea?
Amenorrhea (say: ay-men-or-ee-uh) is when you don't have menstrual periods. You can have primary or secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is when you haven't ever had a period and you are 16 years old or older. Secondary amenorrhea is when you have had normal periods but then you don't have one for 3 or more months in a row. You should see your doctor if you think you have amenorrhea.
What causes amenorrhea?
Primary amenorrhea can be caused by the following:
- Problems with the hypothalamus, which is an area in your brain that interacts with your pituitary gland to regulate your menstrual cycle
- Abnormal chromosomes
- Pituitary disease, which affects the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located just under the brain and helps regulate your menstrual cycle.
- An obstruction of the vagina, such as a membrane that is blocking menstrual flow
You may develop secondary amenorrhea due to:
- Pregnancy
- Use of oral or injected contraceptives like birth control pills or Depo-Provera
- Stress
- Certain types of medication, such as antidepressants, chemotherapy medicine and antipsychotics
- Extremely low body weight
- A problem with the thyroid, which is another gland that produces hormones that have an effect on menstruation
- Regular strenuous exercise, like long distance running, especially if body fat is low
How is amenorrhea treated?
Treatment depends on what is causing your amenorrhea. It may be as simple as changing your diet and exercise program. You may need medication. Rarely, surgery is needed.
How can I protect myself?
- Talk to your doctor if you have missed 3 or more periods in a row. If you could be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test.
- If your periods aren't the same every month, write down when they start and how long they last. Then give this information to your doctor.
- Maintain a healthy weight with diet and exercise.
- Find out if you have any family members with similar menstrual problems.
- Remember that it is still possible to get pregnant even if you aren't having regular periods every month.
More Information
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Amenorrhea: Evaluation and Treatment by T Master-Hunter, MD, and DL Heiman, MD (American Family Physician April 15, 2006, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060415/1374.html)
Reviewed/Updated: 03/08
Created: 04/06