Women typically don't menstruate before puberty, during pregnancy and after menopause. Changes in the organs, glands, and hormones involved with menstruation can cause an absence in the menstrual cycle. A missed menstrual cycle can indicate a serious problem, or it can occur as a treatable medical condition. The treatments for a missed menstrual cycle depend on the underlying cause.
Pregnancy
According to MayoClinic.com, pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed menstrual cycle in women of reproductive age. The uterus contains the endometrium or the tissue that lines the uterus. The endometrium sheds off during a normal menstrual cycle. When a pregnancy occurs, the fertilized egg implants itself in the lining and the lining remains to nourish the fetus.
Contraceptives
Some women who take birth control pills may not have a menstrual cycle. It may take three to six months to resume regular ovulation and menstruation after discontinuing the contraceptives, notes MayoClinic.com. A missed menstrual cycle occurs more often in contraceptives that are injected and implanted, as well as progesterone-containing intrauterine devices. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development explains that certain contraceptives do cause a missed menstrual cycle, but other contraceptives can help correct the problem.
Hormonal Problems
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, hormonal problems that involve the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, ovary, or adrenal glands can cause a missed menstrual cycle. A doctor may prescribe hormones to treat the condition or she may recommend surgery if a tumor has formed on the glands.
Excessive Dieting
Women who have a very low body weight sometimes experience a missed menstrual cycle, reports the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Excessively low body weight can disrupt many hormonal functions and can also halt ovulation. A missed menstrual cycle may also occur from a serious eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, notes MayoClinic.com.
Excessive Exercise
According to MayoClinic.com, women who participate in sports that require arduous training tend to experience missed menstrual cycles. These types of sports often cause a loss of body fat because of the high-energy expenditure they require. The loss of body fat interrupts the hormones from functioning normally.
