ABSENCE OF PERIODS (AMENORRHEA)

The absence of periods or menstrual flow is called amenorrhea. This may occur for many reasons. Primary amenorrhea is when a young woman does not start her periods by age 16. This happens often due to late puberty, which is fairly common in girls who are very thin or very athletic. A women's body needs a certain amount of body fat in order to trigger the hormones to start the menstrual cycle. Other reasons for primary amenorrhea are problems with the uterus, the cervix (opening of the uterus), the vagina, the ovaries, or the pituitary gland.

Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of 3 or more periods in a woman who has a regular menstrual flow. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, emotional or physical stress, taking certain medications such as antidepressants or thyroid medication, menopause, a hysterectomy, or low body weight are some of the most common reasons for secondary amenorrhea. Other reasons could be frequent strenuous exercise, rapid weight loss or stopping your birth control pills. The most serious reasons for amenorrhea would be a chronic illness, such as colitis or kidney failure. A hormonal imbalance, thyroid problem or tumors in the ovaries or the pituitary gland are other reasons why treatment is needed.

Treatment of amenorrhea is defined once the cause is identified. Athletic amenorrhea may be treated with estrogen replacement therapy. Medication may be used to treat amenorrhea caused by thyroid or pituitary problems. Untreated amenorrhea can result in decreased bone mineral density or osteoporosis, infertility and other health problems.

Living a healthy lifestyle and making healthy choices will help prevent amenorrhea. Make changes to your diet and exercise program to achieve your ideal body weight. Try to balance your work, play and rest. Find out what areas in your life cause stress and find ways to relieve this stress. Stop smoking if you smoke. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol or taking excessive drugs.

Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations. Your goal is to keep healthy for a lifetime. Be sure to notify your provider if you miss more than 3 periods.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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