Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation, i.e. one or more missed menstrual periods. Women who have missed at least three menstrual periods in a row have amenorrhea, as do girls who haven’t begun menstruation by age 15.
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation, i.e. one or more missed menstrual periods. Women who have missed at least three menstrual periods in a row have amenorrhea, as do girls who haven’t begun menstruation by age 15.
The main sign of amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods. Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, you might experience other signs or symptoms along with the absence of periods, such as:
Amenorrhea can occur for a variety of reasons. Some are normal during the course of a woman’s life, while others may be a side effect of medication or a sign of a medical problem.
Natural amenorrhea
During the normal course of your life, you may experience amenorrhea for natural reasons, such as:
Some women who take birth control pills may not have periods. Even after stopping oral contraceptives, it may take some time before regular ovulation and menstruation return. Contraceptives that are injected or implanted also may cause amenorrhea, as can some types of intrauterine devices.
Medications
Certain medications can cause menstrual periods to stop, including some types of:
Lifestyle factors
Sometimes lifestyle factors contribute to amenorrhea, for instance:
Hormonal imbalance
Many types of medical problems can cause hormonal imbalance, including:
Structural problems
Problems with the sexual organs themselves also can cause amenorrhea. Examples include:
DIAGNOSIS
When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if you’ve missed at least three menstrual periods in a row, or if you’ve never had a menstrual period and you’re age 15 or older.
During your appointment, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to check for any problems with your reproductive organs. If you’ve never had a period, your doctor may examine your breasts and genitals to see if you’re experiencing the normal changes of puberty.
Amenorrhea can be a sign of a complex set of hormonal problems. Finding the underlying cause can take time and may require more than one kind of testing.
Lab tests
A variety of blood tests may be necessary, including:
Hormone challenge test
For this test, you take a hormonal medication for seven to 10 days to trigger menstrual bleeding. Results from this test can tell your doctor whether your periods have stopped due to a lack of estrogen.
Imaging tests
Depending on your signs and symptoms — and the result of any blood tests you’ve had — your doctor might recommend one or more imaging tests, including:
Scope tests
If other testing reveals no specific cause, your doctor may recommend a hysteroscopy — a test in which a thin, lighted camera is passed through your vagina and cervix to look at the inside of your uterus.
RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your amenorrhea. In some cases, contraceptive pills or other hormone therapies can restart your menstrual cycles. Amenorrhea caused by thyroid or pituitary disorders may be treated with medications. If a tumor or structural blockage is causing the problem, surgery may be necessary.
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a congenital disorder that causes excessive sun [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Squamous cell carcinoma is a form of skin cancer resulting from [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare skin cancer originating in the skin's [...]