Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation in women of reproductive age. There are two types, primary and secondary, with various causes and treatments. Amenorrhea can also occur naturally during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or be induced by certain drugs or strenuous exercise.
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation in a woman of reproductive age. Menstruation is part of the female reproductive cycle. During menstruation, commonly called a “period,” the lining of the uterus is shed when no fertilized egg has implanted itself in it. This typically happens on a monthly basis.
There are two types of amenorrhea and several possible causes. Treatment varies depending on the cause, symptoms, and age of the woman. Amenorrhea also occurs naturally during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The two types of amenorrhea are primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea is when menstruation does not start. If a girl is 16 and has not had her period, or 14 without puberty starting, primary amenorrhea is suspected. Causes may include a congenital absence of the uterus, problems with the ovaries and ovulation, or delayed puberty.
Secondary amenorrhea occurs when an established menstrual cycle stops. Because women’s cycles can be irregular, secondary amenorrhea is suspected after three months without a period in women with regular periods and after six months in women with a history of irregular periods. Some causes of secondary amenorrhea include certain types of hormonal disorders, premature menopause, or intrauterine scarring.
Another cause of amenorrhea can be strenuous exercise. While health professionals used to think that a lack of body fat or an alteration in body chemistry from exercise caused athletic amenorrhea, they now suspect that available energy is the cause. These women simply aren’t getting enough calories to support both their exercise and menstrual cycles.
Amenorrhea is a natural occurrence during pregnancy. When a fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining, the lining is not shed. Lactation, or breastfeeding, also causes amenorrhea because it suppresses ovulation. However, this varies greatly between individual women and also with the frequency and level of breastfeeding. Because of this variation, it is unwise to rely on breastfeeding as a source of birth control.
Amenorrhea can also be induced by some drugs. Amenorrhea is particularly associated with certain types of hormonal contraceptives, such as Depo-provera, sometimes called “the shot,” and extended-course combined birth control pills. It may take up to a year for your period to resume after you stop some of these medications.
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