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Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when you’ve had at least one menstrual period and you stop menstruating for six months or longer. Secondary amenorrhea is different from primary amenorrhea, which occurs if you haven’t had your first menstrual period by age 16.
You must miss at least three to six menstrual periods to be diagnosed with secondary amenorrhea.
A variety of factors can contribute to this condition, including:
Missed menstrual periods are usually associated with pregnancy, breast-feeding, or menopause. However, these conditions don’t cause amenorrhea.
Secondary amenorrhea usually isn’t harmful to your health. It can be treated effectively in most cases. However, you must address the underlying conditions that cause amenorrhea to prevent any complications.
During a normal menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise. Estrogen is a hormone that’s responsible for sexual and reproductive development in women. The high estrogen levels cause the lining of the uterus, or womb, to grow and thicken. As the lining of the womb thickens, your body releases an egg into one of the ovaries. When the egg isn’t fertilized by a man’s sperm cell, it will break apart. This causes estrogen levels to drop. You’ll then shed the thickened uterine lining and extra blood through the vagina during your menstrual period.
However, this process can be disrupted by certain factors.
A hormonal imbalance is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea. A hormonal imbalance can occur as a result of:
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men. However, it also plays a role in the growth and development of reproductive tissues in women. High testosterone levels in a woman can result in irregular or absent menstrual periods.
Hormonal birth control can also contribute to secondary amenorrhea. Depo-Provera, a hormonal birth control shot, and hormonal birth control pills may cause you to miss menstrual periods. Certain medical treatments and medications, such as chemotherapy and antipsychotic drugs, can also trigger amenorrhea.
Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to the growth of ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are benign, or noncancerous, masses that develop in the ovaries. The hormonal imbalances that result from PCOS can also cause amenorrhea.
Scar tissue that forms due to pelvic infections or multiple dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures can also prevent menstruation. D&C involves dilating the cervix and scraping the uterine lining with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette. This surgical procedure is often used to remove excess tissue from the uterus or to diagnose and treat abnormal uterine bleeding.
Body weight can potentially affect regular menstruation as well. Women who are very overweight or who have less than 15 percent body fat may stop getting menstrual periods. This is especially true for athletes who train extensively or excessively.
Emotional stress is another possible cause of secondary amenorrhea. Your body may respond to extreme stress by temporarily disrupting your normal menstrual cycle. Your menstrual periods will most likely resume once you work through your tension and anxiety.
The primary symptom of secondary amenorrhea is missing several menstrual periods in a row. Women may also experience:
Call your doctor if you have missed more than three consecutive periods or if any of your symptoms become severe.
Your doctor will first want you to take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy. Your doctor will then run a series of blood tests. These tests will measure the levels of testosterone, estrogen, and other hormones in your blood.
Your doctor may also use imaging tests to diagnose secondary amenorrhea. MRI scans, CT scans, and ultrasound tests allow your doctor to view your internal organs in more detail. Your doctor will be looking for cysts or other growths on your ovaries or in the uterus.
The treatment for secondary amenorrhea varies depending on the underlying cause of your condition. Hormonal imbalances can be treated with supplemental or synthetic hormones. Your doctor may also want to remove ovarian cysts, scar tissue, or uterine adhesions that are causing you to miss your menstrual periods.
Your doctor may also recommend making certain lifestyle changes if your weight or exercise routine is contributing to your condition. Ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist or dietitian, if necessary. These specialists can teach you how to manage your weight and physical activity in a healthy manner.
Written by: Erica Roth
Published on: Sep 18, 2012
Medically reviewed on: May 24, 2017: Michael Weber, MD
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