What Is Amenorrhea? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Amenorrhea is the medical term for the absence of a menstrual period. In teenage girls, it describes someone who has not gotten her first period by age 16. For women who have previously menstruated, it refers to the absence of more than three consectutive menstrual cycles. (1)

Amenorrhea is not a disease, but in some cases, it may be a symptom of another condition. It can occur in healthy women when they are pregnant, breastfeeding, on certain contraceptives, or experiencing the skipped periods in the time before menopause, known as perimenopause.

But in other women, amenorrhea can be a signal of trouble, especially if the missed menstruation appears with other symptoms. (1)

Doctors divide amenorrhea into two types. Primary amenorrhea refers to a condition in a girl who has never menstruated by the age of 16, or sometimes 14.

Secondary amenorrhea generally refers to three months of missed periods, or sometimes fewer, in a woman who previously had a normal cycle. (2)

The absence of menstrual bleeding is labeled “amenorrhea.” But in some cases it is accompanied by other symptoms, indicating an underlying condition. For instance, women may have excess facial hair, headaches, hair loss, vision changes, or other symptoms in addition to the lack of a period. When this is the case, it is especially important to be checked by your healthcare provider. (1)

Some women have very light periods that may not last long. If there is any bleeding, this is not considered amenorrhea.

RELATED: Is Your Period Normal?

Use (or abuse) of certain medications, including antipsychotics or drugs to treat certain cancers, can also stop your period for a time. (4)

Sometimes the dysfunction occurs for other reasons. Hormonal issues can stop menstruation in a previously regular woman, or it can be the cause of primary amenorrhea, where the menstrual period hasn’t yet begun.

Common hormonal problems causing amenorrhea include:

• Endocrine disorders, especially polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Dysfunction or tumors in various hormone-producing glands, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, or thyroid
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (also called premature ovarian failure)

Occasionally, primary amenorrhea results from a congenital anatomic abnormality of the reproductive system or from a genetic condition, such as fragile x syndrome. (3)

A diagnosis of amenorrhea begins with your answering questions of your healthcare provider, including about your medical history, eating and exercise habits, and any medicines or supplements you may be taking. (5)

You’ll also want to report about your typical menstrual cycle, including how long it has been since your last period. This is why it’s smart for all women to regularly keep track of their cycle, either using a calendar or a period tracking app designed especially for this purpose.

Once the cause of the amenorrhea has been identified and treated, the menstrual period should return.

Sometimes it requires stopping behaviors that are causing the lack of period, such as exercising excessively, being too thin or obese, or experiencing too much stress. (4)

Contraceptives may also result in amenorrhea. This is not dangerous, and your period will typically return about three months after you stop taking or using them. (3)

RELATED: Speaking Menstruation: A Glossary of Terms Used to Describe Symptoms, Tests, Treatments, and More

To best regulate your menstrual cycle, maintain a healthy body weight and do a proper amount of exercise. (2)

If you experience symptoms of any conditions known to cause amenorrhea, you’ll want to see your healthcare professional right away to prevent the disease from worsening and bringing on a long bout of amenorrhea.

Amenorrhea that is not caused by a natural event like pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause occurs in fewer than 5 percent of women during their lifetime. (1)

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Includes a comprehensive review of both primary and secondary amenorrhea for teens and adult women.

Merck Manual

This esteemed medical resource for professionals also has a detailed section on amenorrhea geared to consumers.