Absence of Periods

Amenorrhea is a term used to describe the absence of menstrual cycles. There are many causes of amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is the absence of any menstruation by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menses for more than 3 cycles in a woman who was previously menstruating. This is the most common form of amenorrhea and pregnancy is the most common cause. Other causes include thyroid disease, eating disorders, excessive exercising, stress or prolonged illness. Polycystic ovarian disease, dysfunction of the pituitary gland, and certain medications can also cause menstrual cycles to stop or become infrequent.

Your practitioner will take a detailed history and do a thorough physical exam. She will most likely have certain blood tests performed to help find the cause.

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