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Alternative names Return to top
Amenorrhea - secondaryDefinition Return to top
Secondary amenorrhea is a condition in which menstruation begins at the appropriate age, but later ceases for 6 or more months in the absence of normal causes such as pregnancy, lactation, or menopause.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Pregnancy is often the first thought when a period is missed, but there are many reasons for having a late period. Increased risk is associated with extreme and prolonged exercise (particularly without adequate conditioning), body fat content less than 15% to 17%, extreme obesity, and taking hormonal supplements.
Anxiety over a possible pregnancy may cause a missed period, thereby increasing the anxiety even further. Emotional distress from other causes can also cause a missed period.
Drugs such as busulfan, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, and non-oral contraceptives (such as Norplant and Depo-Provera) can all cause scanty or missed periods. Also, procedures such as a dilation and curettage (D and C) can cause a woman to develop amenorrhea if scar tissue develops within the uterine cavity.
Early appearance of menopause may account for some cases (menopause is normal for women over age 45).
The incidence of secondary amenorrhea (due to some cause other than pregnancy) is about 4% in the general population.
Symptoms Return to top
Note: Other symptoms associated with amenorrhea depend on the cause. They may include headache, galactorrhea (breasts produce milk in a woman who is not pregnant or breastfeeding an infant), marked weight gain or weight loss, dry vagina, increased hair growth in a "male" pattern (hirsutism), voice changes, and breast size changes. If amenorrhea is caused by a pituitary tumor, other symptoms related to the tumor, such as visual loss, may be present.
Signs and tests Return to top
The physical examination will probably include a pelvic examination. Physical and pelvic examinations must rule out pregnancy before other diagnostic testing begins. The patient may be encouraged to discuss her fears and, if indicated, may be referred for psychological counseling.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
Treatment Return to top
Treatment depends on the cause of the amenorrhea. If it is caused by another systemic disorder, normal menstrual function usually returns after the primary disorder is treated.
For example, if the primary disorder is hypothyroidism, then amenorrhea will be cured when the thyroid disorder is treated with thyroid supplements.
If the primary cause is obesity, vigorous athletics, weight loss, or similar factors, treatment recommendations may include moderation in exercise and weight control.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The outcome depends on the cause. Most of the conditions that cause secondary amenorrhea will respond to treatment.
Complications Return to top
By itself, amenorrhea does not cause complications. However, the conditions that cause amenorrhea may have complications.
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your primary health care provider or OB/GYN provider if you are a woman and have missed more than one period so that the cause, and appropriate treatment, can be determined.
Prevention Return to top
Prevention depends on the cause. For example, moderate exercise instead of extreme exercise, weight control, and other measures may be helpful.
Update Date: 5/11/2004 Updated by: Sharon Roseanne Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |