Amenorrhea Health Video

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and can happen during puberty or later in life. Amenorrhea generally does not result from a serious condition. However, not knowing why menstruation has stopped can be stressful. Learn about the symptoms and treatment options in this health video.

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See a doctor if more than three months
See doctor if you are 16 & not had your period
Maintain a healthy lifestyle

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

SUSAN MCGLADERRY, BM, BCH, MRCP: Hello. My name is Dr. Susan McGladerry. I'm the medical director from the FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to give you some information about amenorrhea. This is the medical term for the absence of menstruation. It can happen during puberty or late in life, and may be primary or secondary. Primary amenorrhea is the term that's given to girls of 16 years or more who've never had a period. Secondary amenorrhea means that menstruation has already started, but then it stops for a period of at least three months. When girls fail to get the first period, the so-called primary amenorrhea, there may be a problem of the failed development of certain reproductive organs during fetal development, or there may be a structural abnormality of the vagina for example, a membrane or wall can prevent the outflow of blood from the uterus. Both primary and secondary amenorrhea can also be caused by problems with the hypothalamus. This is a special control center for body functions located in the brain. Excessive exercise or eating disorders that result in very low body weight, physical or psychological stress, and rarely a tumor may disrupt the normal function of the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland is a hormone-secreting gland in the brain involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and the pituitary gland function can be disturbed by things like a tumor or other mass. They may also be abnormalities in pituitary hormone production for example, an excessive production of the hormone prolactin and this can also disturb the normal menstrual cycle. Other things that disturb menstruation include thyroid disease, certain contraceptives, and the condition known as the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Pregnancy is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea. When should you be worried, you need to see your doctor if you're aged 16 or more and you've never had a menstrual period. Also, if you've had a regular cycle but then missed the last three periods in a row or more. Your doctor will evaluate you for the possible causes and then give you advice on treatment. The best way to avoid an interruption in your menstrual cycle is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, normal body weight, and avoid excessive stress.

Amenorrhea Health Video

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