Amenorrhea Health Video

Video Transcript

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.