Absence of Menstrual Periods

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

A woman who has amenorrhea has either never had a menstrual period or has stopped having periods.

What is going on in the body?

There are two categories of amenorrhea:

Primary amenorrhea is not having had a period by age 16.

Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of periods in a woman who previously had regular menstrual cycles.

To have a period, a woman must have a normal, healthy:

uterus, cervix or opening to the uterus, vagina, and ovaries

pituitary gland

hypothalamus, a structure within the skull that controls much of the body's hormone production

An abnormality in any of these may keep a woman from having a period.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Primary amenorrhea is usually due to late puberty rather than any permanent problem. The reason for this delay is generally not known, though it may be a family trait. Other possible causes are:

a genetic disorder, such as Turner's syndrome

a hormonal problem, such as an improperly functioning thyroid gland

Pregnancy is the most common reason for secondary amenorrhea. A woman's periods may also stop temporarily due to:

breastfeeding

birth control pills

the birth control shot, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate

levonorgestrel implants

A woman's periods may not start up again for a while after she stops using birth control pills, shots or implants. Usually, periods will start again within 3 to 6 months.

Secondary amenorrhea may also be linked to:

depression

emotional stress

poor nutrition

drugs, such as tranquilizers or antidepressants

rapid weight loss or gain

chronic systemic illnesses, such as kidney failure or cancer

too much exercise

recent surgery

a hormonal imbalance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Symptoms & Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Amenorrhea is not a disease. It is a symptom of certain health issues. Because it is often caused by a hormone imbalance, it may trigger other symptoms, such as:

weight gain

excess body and facial hair

breast milk secretion

changes in sex drive

acne

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the condition diagnosed?

Amenorrhea is generally not life threatening, but it may be linked to certain health problems. When a woman reports it, her doctor will take a medical history and do a physical exam. He or she may also recommend:

a pregnancy test

hormone tests

special blood tests if a girl has not developed breasts or pubic hair by age 14

blood tests if a girl or woman has breast discharge, headaches, vision changes, too much body hair or weight

These tests measure:

HCG hormone, which is a marker for pregnancy

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is important in regulating the menstrual cycle

estradiol level, the main estrogen in the body

thyroid function

prolactin, a hormone associated with certain tumors or thyroid gland abnormalities

chromosome abnormalities that may prevent menstruation

Some tumors of the pituitary gland may cause elevated prolactin levels. Special X-rays of the head can show tumors in the pituitary.

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the condition?

By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a woman may be able to avoid secondary amenorrhea. A woman should:

avoid smoking and alcohol or substance abuse

maintain a healthy weight by adjusting her diet

try to balance work and recreation

lower her stress levels

If this seems too hard, she should ask for guidance from friends, family, or healthcare professionals.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Long-term amenorrhea and estrogen-deficiency may raise a woman's risk of excess bone loss and osteoporosis. This makes bones more likely to break.

A woman who wishes to get pregnant may be resistant to drugs that help induce ovulation. If PCOS is causing the amenorrhea, long-term effects include:

obesity

excess face and body hair

infertility

ovarian cysts, or fluid-filled sacs

a higher risk of uterine cancer

What are the risks to others?

None.

Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the condition?

If amenorrhea has lasted less than 6 months, a woman may not need treatment unless she has worrisome symptoms or a problem is found:

in her hormone levels

on X-ray or ultrasound

Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, treatment varies. Diet and exercise generally correct abnormal periods due to obesity. Stress management and not exercising too much helps, too.

Because ovaries are not producing eggs or certain hormones, a woman may be given:

birth control pills

hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if she has reached menopause

short-term oral progesterone pills or ovulation-inducing agents, such as clomiphene, for infertility

Birth control pills and HRT drugs contain estrogen and progesterone or sometimes progesterone alone. The hormones may be used to:

induce a period

prevent bone loss

Surgery may be required for:

tumors

ovarian cysts

defects in the uterus or vagina

Rarely, surgery is done when chromosome abnormalities are found.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Hormones may cause minor side effects such as:

breast tenderness

nausea

headaches

PMS symptoms

abdominal bloating

Occasionally, more serious side effects can occur with hormone therapy including blood clots, liver tumors, and endometrial cancer. Though these are quite rare, it is important for women to discuss the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with their healthcare provider.

Drugs to induce ovulation may trigger:

hot flashes

headaches

ovarian cysts

mid-cycle pain

What happens after treatment for the condition?

When a younger woman has amenorrhea, normal periods often resume within a few years. Most women who are diagnosed and treated early can avoid surgery by taking hormones. If a woman wishes to get pregnant and not ovulating is the only infertility problem facing the couple, a success rate of 70% to 80% is possible.

After a woman stops taking birth control pills, she may not get a period for 2 to 3 months, though it may take a year or longer. If an unusual stress or illness has temporarily stopped a woman's periods, the problem will usually resolve on its own. It may recur at a later date.

How is the condition monitored?

If a woman misses more than one period, she should talk with her healthcare provider. It helps to:

discuss any medicines or supplements she is taking

keep a record of periods, marking down length, days between cycles, frequency, and flow patterns

find out if there is a family history of infertility, ovarian cysts, or irregular cycles