Amenorrhea is when you aren’t getting your periods or menstruation does not occur, even though you’ve crossed puberty, aren’t pregnant, and haven’t gone through menopause.

Let’s Learn About Puberty, Periods, Pregnancy and Menopause

  • Puberty is the time when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature. It is a process that usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys. 

  • Periods or menstruation is the release of tissues from your uterus (pears-shaped organ where a baby develops in your body) in the form of blood, through your vagina (the elastic, muscular organ that connects your uterus to the outside world). A normal, healthy girl starts getting her periods or menstrual cycle between the age of 12 and 13 years. 

  • Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is a time during which a fetus (baby-to-be) develops inside your body and pregnancy usually happens when you miss your periods. 

  • Menopause is the natural stopping or cessation of your monthly menstrual cycle that happens between the age of 45 and 55 years.  

Thus, amenorrhea is when you don’t get your monthly period. It can be temporary or permanent. It can be a result of another underlying disease and you should discuss this with your gynaecologist. 

Kinds of Amenorrhea

There are two kinds of amenorrhea:

a) Primary amenorrhea is when you haven’t gotten a first period by age 15 or 16 years or within the five years after/of puberty. 

 b) Secondary amenorrhea is when you have had normal menstrual cycles (regular or monthly), but they suddenly stop for 3 or more months. 

Causes of Amenorrhea

The reasons why primary amenorrhea may take place are quite varied. Common causes of primary amenorrhea include:

  • Malfunctioning of your ovaries (primary, female reproductive organ, responsible for releasing eggs for pregnancy and female sex hormones).

  • Genetic (hereditary) problems with your ovaries.

  • Problems in the pituitary gland (a gland in the brain that makes the hormones involved in menstruation).

The causes of secondary amenorrhea are:

  • Pregnancy.

  • Breastfeeding (also known as nursing, is the feeding of babies and young children with milk from a woman's breast).

  • Use of birth control methods (any method used to prevent pregnancy) like Intrauterine devices (IUDs). IUD is a small, T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy.

  • Menopause.

  • Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.

Other causes of secondary amenorrhea are polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), under-active thyroid, a bad diet, stress, extreme weight gain (obesity), and any ongoing illness.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck that is responsible for regulating your periods. Thyroid disease also can cause your periods to stop for several months or longer. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder that affects women in the reproductive age group. It is caused due to a hormonal imbalance that affects the ovaries, leading to an irregular menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of Amenorrhea

Not getting your periods for the first time or not having periods suddenly for 3 or more months is the foremost symptom of amenorrhea. Other symptoms include:

  • Hair loss

  • Headache

  • Acne or pimples

  • Excess facial hair, a common symptom of PCOS

  • A milky discharge from your nipples (the clear, center portion of your breast)

  • Vision changes

  • Slow or no development of breasts (in primary amenorrhea)

Diagnosis of Amenorrhea

Primary amenorrhea is diagnosed when a girl has not got her first period till the age of 15 and there are no signs of development of sexual characteristics. 

In case of secondary amenorrhea, your gynaecologist will start by collecting information about your symptoms, eating habits, previous menstrual cycle and also assess if your current lifestyle is stressful or not. 

If amenorrhea occurred because of pregnancy, you can start prenatal care (health care during your pregnancy). If it’s happening because of menopause, your doctor will check your symptoms and treat them accordingly. 

If amenorrhea is not due to pregnancy or menopause, your doctor will most likely perform a pelvic exam. A pelvic examination is the physical examination of the external and internal female pelvic organs. Other tests that your doctor can recommend include:

  • Blood tests to check hormone levels and detect thyroid gland disorders.

  • Ultrasound and other tests if you have PCOS and are younger than 40 years.

  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to check any abnormalities of reproductive organs.

Treatment of Amenorrhea

If menopause or pregnancy is the cause of your amenorrhea, then your doctor will not need to treat it and prescribe a different route of treatment. In other cases, your treatment will depend on the cause and may include:

  • Losing weight through a balanced diet and exercise.

  • Managing stress through various relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.

  • Treating hormonal imbalances through medication or prescribed therapies.

  • Surgery (in rare cases).

Consult your gynaecologist if you have missed your periods for three consecutive months in a row. Most symptoms of amenorrhea are treatable. It is important to eat a healthy diet, maintain the correct weight, manage your stress well and be aware of your menstrual cycle.


Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.